The government decided to zero the import tax on syringes and needles until the middle of the year in order to facilitate the fight against Covid-19. In addition, the surcharge applied to imports of disposable syringes originating from China was suspended.
The decision was taken by the executive management committee of Camex (Chamber of Foreign Trade). Tariff reductions and the suspension of the anti-dumping measure will be valid until June 30, 2021.
According to the Ministry of Economy, the list of products with zero tax for combating the Covid-19 pandemic reaches 303 products.
Folha revealed on December 15 that the office of General Eduardo Pazuello, Minister of Health, had ignored for six months a request from the Ministry of Economy for him to position himself regarding the public interest in overturning the surcharge on Chinese syringes.
The letter was sent on June 23 to Pazuello's number two ministry and right-hand man, Colonel Élcio Franco. There was no answer. A new request for the Ministry of Health to take a position was sent on 8 December.
On the last 24th, the department issued a response, in an official letter signed by the assistant executive secretary, Jorge Luiz Kormann.
Translated by Cassy Dias