MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Brazil - Kindle considered book for importing tax purposes

pedgarcia · 12-16-2009, 04:24 PM

In Brazil, imported electronic devices are taxed in 70% over the basic price, while books and magazines don't pay a thing.

Because of that, Brazilians pay the equivalent to US$ 550 to get the e-reader in their hands.

However, this can change soon. Today, a Federal Court in Sao Paulo decided that the Kindle is actually a reader device and nothing else and as is, it should be considered a book, even being in electronic format. As a book, Kindle (or other devices?) buyers doesn't need to pay the 70% over the base price, which could make it way more popular down there.

The decision can still be contested and only applies to the person that entered the petition (sorry, I have no idea how to translate law terms), but if other judges and instances make the same decision, the Customs government department needs to follow the rule for everyone.

Until there, if someone wants the same advantage, he needs to enter his own petition and wait for a decision.

Regards

Paulo

(source: Info Magazine - http://info.abril.com.br/noticias/me...6122009-38.shl)

12-16-2009, 04:24 PM	#1
pedgarcia Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 250 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: PRS-505	Brazil - Kindle considered book for importing tax purposes In Brazil, imported electronic devices are taxed in 70% over the basic price, while books and magazines don't pay a thing. Because of that, Brazilians pay the equivalent to US$ 550 to get the e-reader in their hands. However, this can change soon. Today, a Federal Court in Sao Paulo decided that the Kindle is actually a reader device and nothing else and as is, it should be considered a book, even being in electronic format. As a book, Kindle (or other devices?) buyers doesn't need to pay the 70% over the base price, which could make it way more popular down there. The decision can still be contested and only applies to the person that entered the petition (sorry, I have no idea how to translate law terms), but if other judges and instances make the same decision, the Customs government department needs to follow the rule for everyone. Until there, if someone wants the same advantage, he needs to enter his own petition and wait for a decision. Regards Paulo (source: Info Magazine - http://info.abril.com.br/noticias/me...6122009-38.shl)