The Government of Uruguay announced that the price of gasoline in the border area with Argentina will be reduced by 24% due to the return of Imesi, according to statements by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Danilo Astori. He added that his country is negotiating with Brazil a new protocol for the operation of free shops, to reduce inequalities that favor those located on the Brazilian side.
Border stations
«Service stations located up to 20 kilometers from the border with Argentina and Brazil can return 24% of the specific internal tax (Imesi) in the sale of fuel," said the Minister of Economy, Danilo Astori, in a press conference after the Council of Ministers held this Monday (10.9.2018).
"Until now, those located in the border area with Argentina returned 8 percentage points, so we have equalized the tax advantage of those living on the border with Argentina compared to (those residing on the border with) Brazil," he added.
Protocol for free shops
The hierarch mentioned that Uruguay is negotiating with Brazil a new protocol for the operation of duty-free shops. In this regard, he announced that the next meeting will take place in October.
"We perceive a significant inequity in the operating criteria of the free shops on the Brazilian side with those on the Uruguayan side," he added.
In this regard, he pointed out that It is planned to increase the tax exemption on products that Uruguayans can enter the country, raising it to 300 dollars. “We would like equality in this franchise on both sides of the border,” he added.
In addition, the list of products that Uruguayan free shops can sell is being considered to be expanded by incorporating approximately 30 items. The list of tradable products is being updated, especially by equalizing criteria, since in Brazil the use of the so-called “negative” list predominates and in Uruguay the “positive” list.
Food imports
On the occasion, he reported that the National Customs Directorate of Uruguay established a limit of five kilograms for the introduction of food, which is closely monitored, and also announced that those who operate with electronic payment can exempt the income tax that they must pay to the State.
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