Brazil Seafood & US Tariff: Who Pays 25%?

What Did the US Tariff Investigation Conclude About Brazil?

The US government under Donald Trump launched an investigation that concluded Brazil adopts practices that "burden or restrict" trade with the United States. Among the examples cited were Brazil's PIX payment system and the regulation of digital platforms. As a result, a 25% additional tariff on Brazilian goods took effect on July 22, 2026.

Which Seafood Products Are Exempt from the 25% Tariff?

Brazil's Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture released a full list of fish and shellfish either taxed or exempt. Products that escaped the tariff represent 89.2% of the value exported to the US in 2025. Exempt items include:

• Fresh or chilled yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna
• Fresh or chilled swordfish
• Fresh or chilled and whole frozen tilapia
• Fresh or chilled tilapia fillets
• Frozen lobster
• Other frozen fish: corvina, croaker, snapper, monkfish, grouper, mullet and wreckfish

Which Seafood Products Are Hit by the 25% Tariff?

The following products now face the additional 25% US duty:

• Fish meal, powder and pellets unfit for human consumption
• Frozen tilapia fillets
• Other frozen fish fillets
• Other fresh, chilled or frozen fish meat
• Live, fresh or chilled lobster
• Edible seaweed and other fresh, chilled, frozen or dried algae

What Does This Mean for E-Commerce Sellers and Importers?

If you source Brazilian seafood for sale in the US market, the distinction between frozen and live/fresh/chilled is now critical for your cost structure. Frozen lobster — a high-volume export — remains duty-free, while live lobster now carries the extra 25% charge. Always verify the exact HS code with your customs broker, as minor classification differences can determine whether a product is taxed or exempt.