Importing Brazilian food to United States
The United States is a major buyer of Brazilian raw sugar (VHP), refined soybean oil, processed beef products and frozen orange juice. Frozen raw poultry from Brazil is not currently authorised; cooked/processed poultry products may enter under specific FSIS approval. All meat and poultry imports clear through USDA FSIS at Pre-Notification Systems Interface (PNSI), while non-meat foods clear through FDA under the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP).
Competent authorities
- USDA FSIS Inspects all meat, poultry and processed egg products at import
- FDA Regulates non-meat foods, sugar, oils, juices, FSMA / FSVP enforcement
- US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Tariff collection and entry processing (ACE)
Ports of entry
- Houston, TX (USHOU)Top reefer gateway for Latin American foods; major sugar and oil terminals.
- New York / New Jersey (USNYC)Largest East-Coast port; APM Maher terminals; major retail distribution.
- Philadelphia, PA (USPHL)Specialist reefer port, meat, juice and produce.
- Savannah, GA (USSAV)Fastest-growing SE port; Garden City terminal.
Required documentation
- •FSIS Form 9540-1 (Foreign Inspection Certificate) for meat consignments
- •FDA Prior Notice filed via ACE/ITACS at least 8 h before arrival
- •Bill of Lading and commercial invoice
- •Packing list with marks, numbers and net weights
- •Certificate of Origin (Form A no longer required after GSP lapse, standard COO accepted)
- •FSVP records held by the US importer (FDA-regulated foods)
- •Certificate of Analysis (pathogen, mycotoxin and pesticide panels as applicable)
Indicative lead times from Santos
- Santos → Houston (Gulf service)16–20 days
- Santos → New York (East-Coast service)14–18 days
- Santos → Savannah13–17 days
- FSIS reinspection at port of entry1–3 working days
Tariffs & taxes
MFN tariffs apply (raw sugar inside TRQ low, outside-quota high specific duty; refined soybean oil typically 19.1¢/kg; processed beef varies by HS). Section 232/301 measures may apply on specific goods. CBP Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) and Harbour Maintenance Fee (HMF) apply on all consignments.
Product-specific notes
- Beef (cooked/processed)Raw beef from Brazil periodically suspended/reinstated, confirm current FSIS eligibility; cooked beef from approved plants is broadly accepted.
- Frozen chickenBrazilian raw poultry is NOT currently eligible for the US market; cooked/processed poultry only under specific FSIS audit.
- SugarVHP raw sugar imported into refineries under USDA-administered Tariff-Rate Quotas (TRQ).
- Edible oilsRefined soybean oil shipped in flexitanks or ISO tanks; FDA FSVP supplier verification required; non-GMO certification on request.
Further reading & official sources
- USDA FSIS, Importing meat, poultry & egg products
- FDA, Importing food products into the United States
- USDA FAS, Brazil country page
- Codex Alimentarius, Standard for sugars (CXS 212)