Rio de Janeiro Opens Bidding for Tax Free Operator, Advancing Tourist Refund Scheme

The Rio de Janeiro state finance secretariat published a bidding notice to hire a company to operate its Tax Free system, which refunds ICMS on purchases by international tourists. Proposals are due December 2, 2026, marking a move from planning to operational phase. The initiative aims to boost tourism and local retail, though its impact depends on implementation and tourist uptake.