TL;DR
The November 2025 Brazil 40% tariff rollback trims the list of goods paying the 40% add‑on and backdates relief to November 13. Brazil says 238 products were removed from tariff exposure at that level, while section 232 brazil exports still face separate measures. Refunds are expected where duties were collected.
November 2025 Brazil 40% tariff rollback narrowed the surcharge and shifted leverage in us brazil tariff negotiations. According to available reports, the White House order excluded a slate of agricultural items and set a retroactive effective date, with refunds where applicable. Brazilian officials quickly confirmed the scope and timing.
November 2025 Brazil 40% tariff rollback: What changed
The U.S. executive order modified the scope of the additional 40% ad valorem duty applied to certain Brazilian goods. The order states, “I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate to modify the scope of products” subject to the extra rate. It excludes selected agricultural products, reflecting initial progress in talks. [1]
Moreover, the change applies alongside a 10% base tariff that remains for some goods. However, the rollback targets the 40% surcharge specifically, not the underlying base or other regimes. This distinction matters for import planning. [1]
Timeline: Effective date, order, and announcements
The executive order was issued on November 20, 2025, but it takes effect for entries “on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on November 13, 2025.” Brazil’s industry ministry echoed the timing, noting, “A mudança tem efeito retroativo a 13 de novembro de 2025.” Consequently, retroactive tariff refunds november 2025 are in scope. [1]
Additionally, Brazil’s government detailed the exclusions and figures on November 21. Reuters matched the timeline and described continuing us brazil tariff negotiations. Therefore, companies should align documentation to the November 13 effective date to support refund claims. [1]
Products excluded from the 40% surcharge
According to the U.S. and Brazil, the exemptions cover key agribusiness categories: coffee, meats (including beef), fruits and fruit juices, cocoa, and animal fats. Financial Times and AP described the move as a significant opening in trade contacts. This package underpins the coffee beef fruit tariff exemption narrative. [1]
- Coffee and coffee products
- Beef and other meats
- Fresh and processed fruits; fruit juices
- Cocoa and derivatives
- Animal fats and select related items
Furthermore, Reuters reported similar groupings as the centerpiece of relief. As a result, importers and shippers in these lanes should expect improved price parity and renewed flows. This is another clear example of the coffee beef fruit tariff exemption in practice. [1]
Who is affected by the November 2025 Brazil 40% tariff rollback
Brazil’s MDIC said 238 products were taken off the surcharge list, and Reuters reported the same. Based on 2024 data, the share of exports hit by the extra 40% fell from 36% to 22%. In other words, 238 products removed from tariff exposure delivered immediate, measurable relief. [1]
Even so, not all shipments are duty‑free. MDIC said 36% of exports now face no additional duty, while 15% remain under a 10% base rate. Therefore, exporters must map where the 40% vanished and where baseline tariffs still apply. This reinforces the message that 238 products removed from tariff lists do not eliminate all costs. [1]
Brazil’s reaction and ongoing talks
Vice President and Trade Minister Geraldo Alckmin called the order “o maior avanço nas negociações Brasil‑Estados Unidos.” He also said, “We were optimistic, and we want to reiterate that we remain optimistic.” Meanwhile, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hailed “a victory for dialogue, diplomacy and common sense.” [1]
Accordingly, Brasília framed the step as momentum for us brazil tariff negotiations. Officials said talks continue to expand exemptions and lock in predictability. Still, both sides signaled that more technical work remains. [1]
What remains under Section 232 tariffs
Separate from the surcharge rollback, section 232 brazil exports continue to face U.S. national‑security measures. Reuters and MDIC place this exposure at about 27% of Brazil’s exports to the U.S., including steel and aluminum. Consequently, section 232 brazil exports are still constrained despite the new relief. [1]
Therefore, metals producers should not expect immediate parity with agricultural peers. Instead, they remain subject to quota or tariff frameworks governed by Section 232. That split defines winners and stragglers in the near term. [1]
Retroactive refunds: what importers should know
The order provides duty refunds where applicable for eligible goods entered on or after November 13, 2025. Brazil’s guidance reinforced the same date and principle. As a result, retroactive tariff refunds november 2025 are central to cash‑flow planning. [1]
Importers should reconcile entry lines, gather proof of eligibility, and monitor U.S. and Brazilian notices for procedural steps. Additionally, firms should engage brokers early, as refund processing can lag. This is especially relevant for shipments cleared during the mid‑November window. [1]
What’s next
Negotiations are set to continue, and both sides have incentives to keep talking. Alckmin said work continues, while U.S. and Brazil officials prepare next steps. FT and AP underscore Brasília’s aim to expand the exemption basket. Therefore, the November 2025 Brazil 40% tariff rollback could be a floor, not a ceiling. [1]
Moreover, Reuters reported that Lula is open to high‑level engagement as talks evolve. If momentum holds, additional items could exit the surcharge list. That would deepen the impact of us brazil tariff negotiations and extend relief beyond today’s scope. [1]
Sources
- Reuters — Trump tariff relief leaves 22% of Brazil’s shipments still hit
- AP News — Brazil hails US tariff rollback as ‘significant progress’ and seeks more exemptions
- The White House — Modifying the Scope of Tariffs on the Government of Brazil
- Brazil MDIC — Nota sobre a Ordem Executiva dos EUA (20/11/2025)
- Brazil MDIC — Alckmin: maior avanço nas negociações
- Financial Times — Donald Trump removes 40% tariff from some Brazilian food products

