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Key facts
- Founded in: 1954
- Headquarters: Settimo Torinese (TO), Italy
- Employees: 155
- Annual turnover, 2022: €37m
Carioca specialises in the production of colouring tools, with products such as felt-tipped pens, pastels and coloured pencils. Its fundamental mission is to enhance creativity through education, providing suitable and safe tools for children to express themselves from the age of one. It exports to over 80 countries worldwide.
In the last five years, Carioca has consolidated its sales in the Mercosur market. But import tariffs imposed by Mercosur countries on colouring materials can be high – as much as 35%, for instance, on felt-tipped pens and markers in Argentina.
How the agreement would help
With the trade agreement between Mercosur and the EU, import tariffs on colouring materials would be completely removed. This would allow Carioca to offer its products at lower prices and compete more effectively.
Clearer rules and regulations would also make it easier to certify products and clear them for the Mercosur market, saving time at customs.
The Uruguayan market has proven to be very fruitful for us. It offers a well-organised market where you end up being close to your customers. Without tariffs, we could provide our products at a better price. Clearer rules for the entire Mercosur region would also help us expand in other countries there.
Emilio Minni,
Sales Export Manager, Carioca