Buying Brazilian Arabica for the US in 2026: Tariffs, Supply and How to Source
The United States is again the largest buyer of Brazilian coffee. Between January and September 2026 it took 3.8 million bags, 13.1% of Brazil's exports, ahead of Germany (Cecafé, via Boca Notícias). Two things make 2026 a good year to review your Brazilian sourcing: the tariff question is settled for coffee, and the arabica crop is the largest on record.
Tariffs: where Brazilian coffee stands
Green coffee is exempt. Since November 2025, green coffee (HTS 0901) has been on the exemption list of the reciprocal tariffs, and Brazilian agricultural products including coffee were removed from the additional duty on Brazil (Algrano).
The Section 301 investigations did not change that. In July 2026, USTR confirmed that Brazilian coffee, in all its forms, is exempt from the new duties (Cultivar).
Tariff rules change. Confirm the current treatment with your customs broker before you fix a price.
Supply: a record arabica crop
Conab estimates Brazil's 2026 arabica crop at 48.2 million bags, up 34.8%, within a total coffee crop of 67.6 million bags (Conab, Sept 2026). Exports of arabica in January–September were 20.7 million bags, and about 71% of all Brazilian coffee left through the port of Santos.
More coffee from the new crop means more choice — and more offers to sort through.
The main arabica origins
| Region | State | Typical profile |
|---|---|---|
| South of Minas | Minas Gerais | Volume; natural and pulped natural; chocolate, nuts |
| Cerrado Mineiro | Minas Gerais | Mechanised farms, consistency, geographical indication |
| Mogiana | São Paulo / Minas | Sweet, balanced naturals |
| Matas de Minas | Minas Gerais | Mountain coffees, more specialty lots |
Sourcing Brazilian arabica for the US?
Tell us quality, volume and delivery window. We come back with verified exporters that fit — not a long list.
Tell us what you need →What to fix in the contract
Grade and screen (for example, NY 2/3, screen 17/18) and cup profile ("fine cup", "good cup").
Process: natural, pulped natural or washed.
Crop year and region, with an approved pre-shipment sample.
Price basis: fixed or a differential to ICE "C" (New York), and who fixes, when.
Moisture (usually up to 12.5%), packing (60 kg jute bags, big bags or bulk in containers) and port (normally Santos).
Payment: a documentary letter of credit from a first-tier bank, paid against shipping documents.
How to check a Brazilian exporter
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1Get the CNPJ (Brazil's company registry number) and match it with the contract, the bank account and the export documents.
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2Check the shipping history in US import records: a real exporter has shipped before.
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3Meet the team on video, from a company address.
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4Ask where the coffee comes from: own farms, a cooperative or local warehouses.
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5Never pay upfront fees to "secure an allocation".
How BrazilTrad works with coffee importers
BrazilTrad is a São Paulo–based commodity intelligence company. We work on the buyer's side.
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We find the match, not a list.
We start from your specification, search the market and introduce only exporters that fit.
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We check identity before price.
More than 1,200 companies with confirmed identity on our platform; every new counterparty checked against the company registry, legal representatives and sanctions lists.
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No credit risk.
We only work on transactions secured bank to bank: no shipment without documents from a first-tier bank (letter of credit or equivalent).
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Direct connection is free.
A transaction fee applies only if you close a deal with an exporter we introduced.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brazilian green coffee subject to US tariffs in 2026?
Not at the time of writing: green coffee is exempt, and Brazilian coffee was excluded from the 2026 Section 301 duties. Confirm with your customs broker before contracting.
Which port ships Brazilian arabica?
Mostly Santos (São Paulo), with some volume through Rio de Janeiro and Vitória.
Can I buy small lots?
Yes. Specialty exporters sell by the container (about 320 bags of 60 kg) or less, through consolidated shipments.
Already have an offer from a Brazilian exporter?
Send it to us. We confirm identity, registration, legal representatives and sanctions exposure before you sign — Basic check in 24 hours.
Verify a counterparty →BrazilTrad takes no credit risk. We only work on transactions secured bank to bank: no shipment without documents from a first-tier bank (letter of credit or equivalent).
Sources
- Cecafé data via Boca Notícias — US leads imports of Brazilian coffee, Oct 2026
- Conab — 3rd survey of the 2026 coffee crop (Agência Gov)
- Algrano — Green coffee exempt from US tariffs
- Cultivar — Coffee exports to the US remain tariff-free, July 2026