Importing Brazilian frozen meat to the United States

U.S. admissibility depends on the exact species, process category and certified establishment, plus animal-health restrictions. Check the Brazil section of the FSIS Import & Export Library and APHIS requirements before buying. A Brazilian SIF registration alone does not establish U.S. eligibility.

Content reviewed 2026-09-18 · Brazil Prime Foods Export. Confirm current product and plant eligibility with the linked authorities before contracting.

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Competent authorities

USDA FSIS
Inspects all meat, poultry and processed egg products at import
FDA
Regulates non-meat foods, FSMA / FSVP enforcement
US Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
Tariff collection and entry processing (ACE)

Ports of entry

Houston, TX (USHOU)
Confirm reefer service, inspection facilities and entry eligibility with your freight forwarder.
New York / New Jersey (USNYC)
Confirm reefer service, inspection facilities and entry eligibility with your freight forwarder.
Philadelphia, PA (USPHL)
Confirm reefer service, inspection facilities and entry eligibility with your freight forwarder.
Savannah, GA (USSAV)
Confirm reefer service, inspection facilities and entry eligibility with your freight forwarder.

Documentation to confirm

•Commercial invoice and packing list
•Bill of Lading
•Official health / veterinary certificate in the destination-approved format
•Origin documentation when required by the destination
•Importer registration, pre-notification and additional certificates applicable to the product
•Foreign official inspection certificate from the competent authority
•FSIS import inspection application through the applicable PHIS / ACE process
•APHIS permits or attestations when required

Shipment timing

Production and documentationConfirmed in quote
Vessel departure and ocean transitCarrier schedule
Import inspection and clearanceDestination-dependent

Tariffs & taxes

Ask your customs broker to confirm the current tariff, taxes, quotas and any additional trade measures using the exact HS code, origin and entry date. A general meat category is not enough to calculate landed cost.

Product-specific notes

Beef
Match the intended product and process category to the current FSIS Brazil eligibility table and certified-establishment list. Check APHIS restrictions separately.
Chicken and pork
Do not assume eligibility from this catalog. Confirm the exact product against current FSIS and APHIS rules before requesting a shipment; cooked status alone does not establish eligibility.

References

Sourcing Brazilian frozen meat for United States

Buyers importing into the United States should treat eligibility as the first question rather than the last. Both the establishment and the specific product must be eligible, the rules differ between raw and processed product, and eligibility has changed over time. Confirm current status before contracting rather than relying on a previous shipment.

What to specify in your enquiry

Product and exact cut, with grade or calibration where it applies
Quantity in metric tonnes or number of containers
Packing format and carton net weight
Destination port and required Incoterm
Certifications your destination requires
Target shipment window

What to verify for this destination

That the supplying establishment is currently listed as eligible by the Food Safety and Inspection Service
That the specific product and its processing state are eligible, since raw and processed product are treated differently
Any Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service restrictions applying to the product
Import inspection and re-inspection requirements at the port of entry

Request a CIF or FOB quotation, How to verify a Brazilian meat exporter and supplying plant, How frozen meat export pricing and container economics work

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Destination questions

Frequently asked questions about importing to United States

Does a Brazilian SIF registration make a product eligible for the United States?

No. A Brazilian SIF registration alone does not establish United States eligibility. Admissibility depends on the exact species, the process category and a certified establishment, plus animal health restrictions.

Where is United States eligibility confirmed?

In the Brazil section of the FSIS Import and Export Library, checking the Import tab, together with APHIS requirements. FSIS inspects all meat, poultry and processed egg products at import, and CBP handles tariff collection and entry processing.

Which United States ports are used?

Houston (USHOU), New York and New Jersey (USNYC), Philadelphia (USPHL) and Savannah (USSAV). Confirm reefer service, inspection facilities and entry eligibility with your freight forwarder.

Are raw and processed products treated the same way?

No. The rules differ between raw and processed product, and cooked status alone does not establish eligibility. Match the intended product and process category to the current FSIS eligibility table and certified establishment list.

Is eligibility for the United States stable over time?

No. Eligibility has changed over time and is confirmed per consignment. Check current FSIS and APHIS status before contracting rather than relying on a previous shipment.

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