2026 US Tariffs on Brazilian Goods: What Forwarders Need to Know
If you manage freight moving from Brazil to the United States, 2026 has brought a wave of tariff adjustments that directly affect your operations, your margins, and your clients' bottom lines. From new duties on steel and aluminum to revised rates on agricultural commodities, these changes demand immediate attention from every freight forwarder operating in the Brazil-US trade corridor.
Failing to understand these tariff shifts can result in unexpected duties at the port, cargo holds, costly reclassifications, and strained relationships with your importer clients. This guide breaks down what has changed, what is at risk, and how to protect your business.
The US trade policy landscape has evolved considerably over the past several years, and 2026 marks another inflection point. With ongoing reviews under Section 232 and Section 301, plus new executive orders targeting specific commodity categories, the tariff environment is more dynamic than it has been in over a decade. For forwarders handling Brazilian-origin cargo, staying ahead of these shifts is not optional — it is essential to maintaining competitive service.
Key Tariff Changes Affecting Brazilian Exports
Steel and Aluminum
The Section 232 tariffs on steel (25%) and aluminum (10%) remain in full effect for Brazilian-origin products in 2026. Unlike some trading partners that negotiated tariff-rate quotas in prior years, Brazil has not secured a quota arrangement with the United States, meaning all Brazilian steel and aluminum shipments continue to face the full duty rate upon entry.
For forwarders, this means every steel or aluminum shipment from Brazil must be accurately classified and declared. Misclassification can trigger penalties that far exceed the duty amount itself. The most commonly affected HS chapters are 72 (iron and steel) and 76 (aluminum and articles thereof), but derivative products under other chapters may also be subject to the tariff if the primary material exceeds a certain percentage threshold.
Agricultural Products
Brazil is one of the largest agricultural exporters to the United States, shipping everything from coffee and sugar to fruit juices and processed foods. In 2026, several agricultural categories have seen tariff rate adjustments under the Most Favored Nation (MFN) schedule. Notably, processed food products and certain fruit preparations have experienced rate increases ranging from 2% to 5% above their 2025 levels.
Ethanol, long a significant Brazilian export, faces continued scrutiny. The secondary tariff on ethanol imports has been revised upward, adding pressure to an already margin-sensitive commodity. Forwarders handling ethanol shipments should verify the current duty rate before every booking confirmation, as quarterly adjustments have become the new norm.
Manufactured Goods and Auto Parts
Brazilian manufactured goods, including automotive components, machinery parts, and electrical equipment, face a more complex tariff landscape in 2026. New executive actions have introduced supplemental duties on certain manufactured categories originating from countries that the administration has identified as benefiting from currency undervaluation or industrial subsidies. While Brazil is not the primary target of these actions, several Brazilian product categories fall within the scope of the new measures.
Auto parts under HS chapters 84 and 87 are particularly affected. Forwarders should pay close attention to the country-of-origin rules, especially for goods that incorporate components from multiple countries. A Brazilian-assembled auto part containing Chinese-origin sub-components, for instance, may be subject to both standard MFN duties and supplemental tariffs, depending on the percentage of value added in each country.
Impact on HS Code Classification: Common Reclassification Risks
One of the most significant risks for freight forwarders in 2026 is HS code reclassification. As tariff rates shift across product categories, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has intensified its review of classification accuracy. When a product is classified under an incorrect HS code — whether intentionally or by mistake — the consequences can be severe: retroactive duty assessments, penalty notices, and even shipment seizures.
The most common reclassification issues affecting Brazilian goods include the distinction between raw and processed agricultural products. A fruit concentrate classified as a raw agricultural product may actually fall under a processed food category with a significantly higher duty rate. Similarly, steel products that have undergone secondary processing — such as coating, galvanizing, or shaping — may need to be classified under a different subheading than the raw steel they originated from.
Another area of concern is the classification of mixed-material products. Brazilian exports frequently include goods that combine metals, plastics, and organic materials. Determining the correct HS code for these products requires careful analysis of the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 3, which governs the classification of composite goods. Forwarders who rely on their shippers' self-declared HS codes without independent verification are exposing themselves to significant compliance risk.
CBP has also expanded its use of data analytics to identify classification anomalies. Shipments that show a pattern of being classified under lower-duty subheadings are flagged for targeted review. In practice, this means that even if a questionable classification has gone unchallenged in the past, it may be flagged retroactively under the new enforcement protocols.
How to Prepare: Compliance Strategies for Forwarders
Preparation is the best defense against tariff-related disruptions. Here are the most effective strategies that forwarders operating in the Brazil-US corridor should implement immediately.
Conduct a Tariff Impact Audit
Review every product category you regularly handle from Brazil. Compare the 2025 duty rates to the current 2026 rates, and identify any shipments where the cost increase could affect your client's decision to import. This audit should be documented and shared with your sales and operations teams so everyone understands the new cost landscape.
Verify HS Codes Before Shipment
Do not accept shipper-declared HS codes at face value. Invest in independent classification review for your top commodity categories. This can be done through binding ruling requests to CBP, consultation with a licensed customs broker, or the use of classification software tools. The small upfront cost of verification is trivial compared to the potential penalties and delays of a reclassification event at the port of entry.
Communicate Proactively With Your Clients
Your importer clients may not be fully aware of the tariff changes that affect their goods. As their logistics partner, you are in a unique position to add value by alerting them to cost changes before they become unpleasant surprises. A brief tariff update email or a quarterly compliance briefing can differentiate you from competitors who simply pass along unexpected charges after the fact.
Build Tariff Contingency Into Your Pricing
Given the frequency of tariff adjustments in 2026, static pricing models are a liability. Consider building a tariff fluctuation buffer into your quotations, or include explicit clauses in your service agreements that allow for duty-rate pass-throughs. This protects your margin without creating adversarial situations with clients when rates change mid-contract.
Leverage Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Programs
For certain product categories, routing shipments through a Foreign Trade Zone can provide duty deferral, reduction, or elimination benefits. FTZ usage is particularly advantageous for goods that will be re-exported or further processed before entering US commerce. Forwarders who can advise clients on FTZ strategies position themselves as high-value partners, not just transportation providers.
The Role of a US Customs Broker in Navigating Tariff Complexity
Managing tariff compliance from overseas is incredibly difficult. The rules change frequently, the classification nuances are technical, and the enforcement environment is unforgiving. This is exactly why having a reliable US-based customs broker on your side is not a luxury — it is a competitive necessity.
A competent customs broker does far more than file entries. They monitor tariff changes in real time, flag classification risks before they become problems, coordinate directly with CBP when issues arise, and provide the documentation trail that protects both you and your clients during audits. For Brazilian freight forwarders, the ideal US customs partner understands both the Brazilian export landscape and the US regulatory environment — bridging the gap that causes so many compliance failures.
The cost of working with a strong customs broker is always lower than the cost of a single compliance failure. A single misclassified shipment can result in penalties of up to four times the duty owed, not to mention the reputational damage and operational delays. When you factor in the potential for retroactive assessments under CBP's focused assessment program, the risk calculus becomes even more clear.
Conclusion: Stay Ahead of the Curve
The 2026 tariff landscape for Brazilian goods entering the US is more complex than ever. Steel and aluminum duties persist without quota relief, agricultural rates have shifted upward, manufactured goods face new supplemental duties, and CBP enforcement is more data-driven and aggressive than in previous years.
As a freight forwarder, your ability to navigate this environment directly impacts the quality of service you deliver to your clients. The forwarders who invest in compliance, build strong US-side partnerships, and communicate proactively with their clients will gain market share. Those who wait and react will pay the price in penalties, delays, and lost business.
If you need a US-based partner that understands Brazilian trade compliance and can handle your customs clearance, classification review, and tariff advisory needs, Suaid Freight is here to help. Our team specializes in the Brazil-US corridor and operates as your invisible extension on American soil.