Instant coffee is on the US list subject to a 25% tax, warns industry association.

While monitoring updates related to United States trade policy, the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association (BSCA) considers the exclusion of most national coffees in the proposed new 25% tariff on Brazilian products, made on Monday (1st) by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to the US government, to be favorable. In presenting its arguments, the US Trade Representative (USTR) created a list of exceptions, which exempts the following coffees and related products from the proposed new tariffs: – Coffee, not roasted, not decaffeinated – Coffee, not roasted, decaffeinated – Coffee, roasted, not decaffeinated – Coffee, roasted, decaffeinated – Coffee husks and skins – Coffee substitutes containing coffee – Extracts, essences, and concentrates of coffee other than unflavored instant coffee – Preparations made from coffee, with a basis of extracts, essences, or concentrates, or with a basis of coffee. The exception was soluble coffee, which, if the current scenario remains unchanged, would be taxed at 25%, up from the current 10%, after July 15, 2026. Given this new scenario presented by the USTR, BSCA expresses concern about the impacts on the important Brazilian soluble coffee industry, represented by ABICS, and the consequences throughout the entire national coffee value chain, with restrictions on… Trade. Thus, the Association will remain in constant contact with Brazilian partners and the Brazilian government, as well as with its North American counterparts, in order to help clarify any and all doubts that could lead to a scenario of exemption for all types of Brazilian coffee, including soluble coffee, on the part of the United States government. It is also worth noting that the proposal presented by the USTR is a measure in a regulatory process still underway and does not represent a definitive decision by the US government, with its next steps being carried out until July 6th, when the American bureau will hold a hearing under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 regarding the proposed action. Finally, BSCA reinforces its commitment to defending fair trading conditions for all Brazilian coffees with the US, keeping the coffee community clearly, technically and responsibly informed about the next developments related to the topic.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.