Frequent Questions: Shipping Brazilian Products to the USA
Shipping Brazilian products to the United States can be complicated due to high tariffs, strict regulations, and bureaucracy. As of August 6, 2025, the U.S. applies an additional 40% tariff on most Brazilian products, raising total import costs to up to 50%. Furthermore, it is mandatory to follow customs regulations, such as English labeling and complete documentation.
Key points:
- High tariffs: An additional 40% for most items, with exceptions such as orange juice, Brazil nuts, and humanitarian donations.
- Essential documentation: Commercial invoice, bill of lading, and packing list.
- Permitted products: Processed foods (chocolates, coffee, spices) in small quantities, with restrictions for fresh or perishable items.
- Prohibited items: Meats, soft cheeses, fresh fruits, and homemade foods.
- Logistical challenges: Frozen products face high costs and risk of spoilage.
To avoid problems, it is crucial to follow packaging and labeling standards and consult import specialists. Alternatively, stores in the U.S., such as Remembr Store, offer ready-to-consume Brazilian products, eliminating customs barriers and ensuring fast delivery.
Complete Guide: Requirements for Shipping Brazilian Products to the USA
Rules and Regulations for Shipping Brazilian Products
Personal vs. Commercial Shipments
Import regulations vary depending on the type of shipment. Personal shipments generally include items for personal use or gifts in small quantities. Commercial shipments, on the other hand, involve goods intended for resale or distribution. The responsibility for ensuring that all shipments comply with import rules rests with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
As of August 6, 2025, an ad valorem tariff of 40% has been implemented on most imports from Brazil, in addition to other existing tariffs. However, there are some exceptions, such as civil aircraft, spare parts, orange juice, Brazil nuts, iron ore, informational materials, and humanitarian donations.
Required Documents for U.S. Customs
Understanding the shipment category is just the beginning. It is also essential to provide the correct documents for the goods to be cleared by customs.
The three main documents required for shipments to the United States are:
- Commercial Invoice: Includes details such as the value, description, and origin of the products.
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill: Serves as a receipt and contract between the cargo owner and the carrier.
- Packing List: Specifies how the items were organized and facilitates inspection during transport.
All values must be declared in U.S. dollars (USD). Inaccurate information can result in delays, additional costs, or even confiscation of the goods.
Government Agencies and Their Responsibilities
In addition to documents, different agencies play key roles in controlling imports.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the primary agency responsible for enforcement and uses the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to classify products and determine applicable tariffs. Other federal agencies also have authority over specific product categories, including:
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Regulates food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), controls items of animal and plant origin.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Sets environmental standards for certain products.
Each of these agencies plays an essential role in ensuring that imported products meet U.S. legal and safety requirements.
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Permitted, Restricted, and Prohibited Products
Understand which Brazilian products can be shipped to the United States without customs complications. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) follows strict rules to protect public health, safety, and local agriculture. These products are classified as permitted, restricted, or prohibited, depending on their origin, packaging, and potential health risks. Below, we explain the categories and the most common items.
Products Generally Permitted in Small Quantities
Commercially packaged foods, when shipped in small quantities for personal use, are usually permitted. This includes industrial snacks, cookies, chocolates, candies, and cured cheeses. Condiments such as vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, jams, and preserves are also on this list.
Coffee and tea are widely accepted. In November 2025, the U.S. government expanded tariff exemptions for Brazilian products such as coffee, spices, and tropical fruits, solidifying these items as popular exports. Canned and vacuum-packed products, as long as they do not contain meat or poultry, are also permitted. Fish intended for personal consumption and dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and butter are admitted, although they may be blocked in cases of disease outbreaks.
All food products must be declared to CBP for inspection. Omission can result in heavy fines. Fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as homemade foods, should be avoided as they are generally restricted or prohibited due to the risk of pests and diseases.
Restricted Items Requiring Special Authorizations
Some Brazilian products require extra documentation or prior approval to enter the United States. For example, medicines must be accompanied by a medical prescription, issued on a pharmacy form and signed by a doctor registered with the National Council of Medicine of Brazil. If necessary, instructions must be translated into Portuguese.
Seeds and other agricultural items require authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA) for export. For more information, visit the official website:
www.gov.br/pt-br/categorias/agricultura-e-pecuaria/licenciamento-e-habilitacao/exportacao-e-importacao.
Agricultural products may require phytosanitary certificates to be accepted in the United States. It is important to attach all necessary documents—such as invoices, export/import licenses, and health certificates—to the outside of the shipment to facilitate the customs clearance process.
Prohibited Items That Cannot Be Shipped
CBP prohibits the entry of items that may pose risks to public health, safety, American workers, children, or the local environment. The "prohibited" classification indicates that the item cannot, under any circumstances, enter the United States.
Products such as meats and poultry—fresh, dried, canned, or prepared—including broths and soup mixes, are prohibited or heavily restricted due to the risk of animal diseases. Soft cheeses, such as brie, ricotta, and feta, and eggs are also subject to restrictions, depending on disease outbreaks. Additionally, homemade foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as unregulated medicines, are on the list of prohibited items.
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How to Pack and Label Your Shipment
To avoid delays or returns, it is essential to follow U.S. packaging and labeling standards. In the United States, all shipments undergo customs inspection, and any failure in packaging or labeling can result in the package being returned.
Packaging Methods for Safe Shipping
Choose new, sturdy corrugated cardboard boxes to pack your products. If using insulated thermal containers, place them inside an outer cardboard box for extra protection. Be sure to seal all seams with strong adhesive tape.
For bakery products, opt for sealed packaging that maintains freshness. Delicate items should be frozen and packed in individual supports to prevent movement during transit.
After packing everything properly, follow the labeling rules to expedite customs clearance.
Labeling Requirements for Food and Other Items
Any foreign item shipped to the United States must be clearly identified with the country of origin in English, legibly. This identification helps the end consumer know where the product was manufactured. For food items, labels must be in English and contain accurate information. Be sure to include the product's origin, using, for example, the mark "Made in Brazil".
How to Fill Out Carrier Shipping Forms
In addition to correct packing and labeling, it is crucial to complete the required documentation. For shipments from Brazil to the United States, a customs declaration form needs to be filled out. This form is usually provided by the post office. For merchandise, include an invoice, sales receipt, or a statement of the fair retail value in Brazil. Describe the products and state their values in U.S. dollars (USD).
Use simple descriptions in English, such as "chocolate bars" or "coffee beans." Whenever necessary, use imperial measurements, such as pounds (lb) for weight and inches (in) for dimensions. If your shipment includes multiple items, attach a copy of the invoice to each item to facilitate customs inspection.
Problems with Frozen, Refrigerated, and High-Risk Items
Shipping frozen or refrigerated Brazilian products to the United States presents significant logistical challenges. Transportation requires strict temperature control and faces specific restrictions, making the process more complicated and expensive.
Why Frozen and Refrigerated Items Are Difficult to Ship
Maintaining the proper temperature is essential to ensure the safety of frozen foods. These products need to remain between -13°F (-25°C) and 14°F (-10°C) throughout the journey. This is only possible with special packaging and refrigerated containers, which increase both the costs and complexity of shipping.
Furthermore, limited infrastructure and restrictions imposed by carriers such as FedEx and USPS make logistics even more challenging. FedEx, for example, generally prohibits international shipping of perishable and refrigerated foods, allowing exceptions only with special contracts. The United States Postal Service does not accept perishable biological substances and salted or smoked meats from Brazil.
Even with adequate packaging, perishable products like cheeses, fruits, sweets, and chocolates face a high risk of spoilage. Long shipping times are often not compatible with the shelf life of these items, which can result in significant financial losses for exporters.
Other Ways to Obtain Brazilian Frozen Foods
Despite the difficulties, there are practical options for those who want to enjoy the flavors of Brazil without complications. Remembr Store is one such alternative, offering authentic frozen meals like empadão, feijoada, and stroganoff, as well as classic desserts like brigadeiros and beijinhos. With physical stores in Miami and Weston, Florida, and nationwide delivery starting from US$10.90, you can receive quality Brazilian products without worrying about customs issues, spoilage during transit, or unnecessary bureaucracy.
Conclusion
Shipping Brazilian products to the United States requires extra attention to regulations, documentation, and packaging. Any oversight can lead to the return or even confiscation of the order. Furthermore, since August 6, 2025, an additional 40% tariff on most Brazilian imports has made the process even more expensive and complicated.
Perishable items face even greater challenges. Ensuring ideal temperature throughout transport, dealing with carrier restrictions, and longer delivery times make this type of shipment almost impractical for many.
For those who want to enjoy the flavors of Brazil without these difficulties, the Remembr Store is a practical and reliable alternative. Offering traditional frozen meals, classic desserts, and other Brazilian products, the store has physical units in Miami and Weston, Florida, in addition to nationwide delivery starting from US$10.90. This way, you receive authentic products without worrying about customs bureaucracy, extra tariffs, or the risk of spoilage.
Choosing specialized services not only saves time and money but also avoids headaches with customs issues. However, for specific import cases, it is always advisable to consult a legal advisor.
FAQs
What documents are necessary to send Brazilian products to the United States?
To send Brazilian products to the United States, it is essential to gather some indispensable documents. One of them is the commercial invoice, which specifies the content and value of the items sent. Another necessary document is the customs declaration form, such as PS Form 2976 or 2976-A. Depending on the nature of the product or the value of the shipment, an import license or special authorization may be required.
Regulated products, such as medicines or items classified as hazardous, usually require additional licenses and specific documentation. It is important to check customs requirements in advance to avoid delays or complications in the shipping process.
Which Brazilian products can be sent to the USA and which are prohibited?
Brazilian products that can be sent include packaged foods, clothing, handicrafts, electronics, and beauty products, provided they comply with United States import regulations. To avoid customs problems, it is essential that these items are correctly labeled and packaged.
On the other hand, some products cannot be sent or have restrictions. These include: cash, high-value jewelry, weapons, unlicensed medicines, seeds or unauthorized biological products, used items, unauthorized animal products, and any item related to tobacco or drugs. Before shipping, it is crucial to consult the specific rules to avoid delays or even the return of items.
How does the additional 40% tariff impact the import costs of Brazilian products to the USA?
The cost of importing Brazilian products into the United States could skyrocket with an additional 40% tariff. Adding this to the reciprocal 10% tariff, the total impact could reach up to 50%, making products more expensive and less attractive in the American market.
This increase not only raises the final price of products but also interferes with shipping strategies, supplier selection, and commercialization. Therefore, careful planning is essential, and these costs must be taken into account to ensure that importing remains financially viable.