Brazil vs Colombia: Import Tariff Comparison 2026
Importing steel iron products from Brazil costs 53% in total tariffs compared to 53% from Colombia under the current 2026 tariff regime. Brazil offers the lower effective tariff rate at 53%, while Colombia comes in at 53%. The Section 122 global surcharge enacted in February 2026 lapsed on July 24, 2026 when its 150-day statutory limit expired; depending on forced-labor Section 301 coverage, goods from Brazil and Colombia may now face a backfilled duty in its place rather than the surcharge itself. The rate differential of 0% translates directly into landed cost differences for importers choosing between these two sourcing origins. Understanding the complete tariff stack — MFN base plus special tariffs — is essential for accurate landed cost forecasting when comparing Brazil and Colombia as sourcing options.
Tariff Rate Comparison
Steel & Iron Products| Rate Type | Brazil | Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| MFN Base RateMost Favored Nation tariff | 3.00% | 3.00% |
| Section 232Steel & aluminum tariff | 50.00% | 50.00% |
| Section 301Unfair-trade action under 19 U.S.C. 2411 | N/A | N/A |
| Bilateral DealNegotiated country rate, compared against the other special layers | N/A | N/A |
| Total Effective Rate | 53.00% | 53.00% |
Rate Comparison by Product Category
| Product | Brazil | Colombia | Savings ($10K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| steel iron products | 53.0% | 53.0% | $0 |
| coffee tea | 12.5% | 12.5% | $0 |
| chemicals industrial compounds | 41.0% | 16.0% | $2,650 |
| industrial machinery | 39.5% | 14.5% | $2,650 |
| fresh produce | 42.5% | 17.5% | $2,650 |
Trade Agreement Status
Brazil has no negotiated bilateral rate charged on its goods — any country-specific reciprocal rate it once carried was terminated on February 20, 2026 — and Section 122 lapsed to 0% on July 24, 2026, but Brazil is on the forced-labor Section 301 covered list at the 12.5% tier, with Section 232 goods carved out and the charge on any given product depending on its MFN rate. Colombia has no negotiated bilateral rate charged on its goods — any country-specific reciprocal rate it once carried was terminated on February 20, 2026 — and Section 122 lapsed to 0% on July 24, 2026, but Colombia is on the forced-labor Section 301 covered list at the 12.5% tier, with Section 232 goods carved out and the charge on any given product depending on its MFN rate. For products under Section 232 national security tariffs, S232 rates govern: a bilateral deal rate does not displace them, and Section 122 never applied to S232-covered goods while it was in force, before it lapsed to zero on July 24, 2026. China-origin goods additionally face Section 301 tariffs that stack on top of all other duties, making trade agreement status a defining factor in the total tariff burden.
When to Source from Each Country
Source from Brazil when importing steel iron products and coffee tea, where its tariff rates are more competitive. Source from Colombia for chemicals industrial compounds and industrial machinery, where it carries the tariff advantage. Beyond tariff rates, factor in lead times, minimum order quantities, quality standards, and freight costs — the total landed cost comparison may shift depending on shipment volume and logistics conditions.
Full Landed Cost — $10,000 Shipment
Steel & Iron ProductsBrazilFull Landed Cost Breakdown
Based on a $10,000 ocean shipment (FOB value)
ColombiaFull Landed Cost Breakdown
Based on a $10,000 ocean shipment (FOB value)
Savings Analysis
On a $10,000 shipment of steel iron products, importing from Brazil saves $0 in duties compared to Colombia — a 0% reduction in total import costs. Brazil incurs $5,618 in duties on the $10,000 shipment, while Colombia incurs $5,618. This difference compounds across larger order volumes and is a key factor in supplier selection decisions for importers sourcing steel iron products.
Frequently Asked Questions
The total effective tariff rate on steel iron products is 53% from Brazil and 53% from Colombia under current 2026 tariff policy. These rates include the MFN base rate, any persisting bilateral deal rate, Section 232 duties for covered products, Section 301 tariffs for Chinese goods, and the forced-labor Section 301 duty that backfills the lapsed Section 122 surcharge for roughly 60 covered economies (Section 122 itself lapsed to 0% on July 24, 2026 and no longer applies). Use the CalcMyTariff.com calculator above to enter your specific invoice value and shipping details for a precise landed cost breakdown.
Brazil does not have a formal trade agreement with the United States. Section 122 lapsed to 0% on July 24, 2026, so imports from Brazil now face either a forced-labor Section 301 duty (if Brazil is on the roughly 60-economy covered list) or the base MFN rate alone with no special-tariff layer.
Colombia does not have a bilateral trade agreement with the US. Section 122 lapsed to 0% on July 24, 2026, so imports from Colombia now face either a forced-labor Section 301 duty (if Colombia is on the roughly 60-economy covered list) or the base MFN rate alone with no special-tariff layer.
Brazil is cheaper for coffee tea with a 12.5% total tariff rate, compared to 12.5% from Colombia. On a $10,000 shipment, this 0% rate difference saves $0 in duties when sourcing from Brazil.
Section 122, enacted in February 2026 for up to 150 days, imposed a global surcharge on most US imports until it lapsed on July 24, 2026. Section 122 no longer applies to Brazil — it lapsed on July 24, 2026 — but Brazil is on the forced-labor Section 301 covered list at the 12.5% tier, which backfilled the lapsed surcharge. Section 122 no longer applies to Colombia — it lapsed on July 24, 2026 — but Colombia is on the forced-labor Section 301 covered list at the 12.5% tier, which backfilled the lapsed surcharge. Since the lapse, a forced-labor Section 301 duty (10%/12.5% on ~60 economies) has backfilled the surcharge for most importers — model the realized post-July-24 structure, forced-labor duty included, when planning shipments.
Tariff rates from Tax Foundation, USITC, and Penn Wharton Budget Model; retaliatory and industry data from the ITA Foreign Retaliations Database and U.S. Census Bureau (NAICS). Last verified .