Importing Steel from China to Brazil: 25% GECEX Tariff + US$211.56/t Anti-Dumping (2026)
Verified 2026-10-30 against GECEX resolutions and federal tax schedules. Brazil has no FTA with China and stacks one of the heaviest import burdens in the series: on 28 January 2026 GECEX raised the import tariff (II) on nine steel categories to 25% for twelve months; Chinese HRC and CRC additionally carry a specific anti-dumping duty of US$211.56/t in force since 2019 (sunset continuation confirmed in 2025); and the federal/state tax stack — IPI, PIS/COFINS and 18–19% ICMS — lands typical flat steel at roughly twice its FOB price. Brazil's remedy docket stays active: a new AD investigation on Chinese high-pressure steel cylinders opened in September 2026.
The Brazilian stack on Chinese steel (2026)
| Product (NCM) | Import tariff (II) | Other taxes |
|---|---|---|
| 7208 / 7209 — HRC / CRC | II 25% (GECEX 2026) | + IPI, PIS/COFINS, ICMS 18–19% |
| 7210 / 7212 — coated | II 25% band | + same federal/state stack |
| 7225 / 7226 — alloy & plate | II 12–25% by NCM | + same stack |
| 7301 / 7306 — sections & tube | II 12–25% | + same stack |
II is only the first layer — IPI, PIS 2.1%, COFINS 9.65% and state ICMS (18–19%) compound on a cumulative base.
Anti-dumping docket — in force and opening
Brazil pioneered the modern steel AD era with its 1990s flat-steel cases and never really stopped:
| Product / case | Duty | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HRC & CRC flat products (China) | US$211.56/t (specific) | since 2019, sunset continuation confirmed 2025 |
| Prepainted / colour-coated (China) | AD confirmed | 5-year measure |
| Stainless welded pipe | final AD 2025-07-28 (GECEX 764/2025) | India & Taiwan — not China |
| High-pressure steel cylinders (China) | investigation opened Sep 2026 | new case |
Commercial reading: at ~$520/t HRC, the $211.56/t specific AD is ~40% of cargo value before any tariff. Alloy and wear grades priced $800–1,200/t absorb the same absolute duty far more comfortably — the same pattern seen in Mexico.
The plate route under 7225 — the AD-free lane
Plate under 7225 avoids the HRC/CRC AD (which targets 7208/7209 flat lines) but still pays II 12–25% plus the full tax stack. For structural and wear applications the plate lane is materially cheaper than the HRC lane — typically $150–210/t less duty per tonne.
Baohui ships NM400/NM450/NM500 wear plate and Q690E into Santos and Itaguaí with NCM-correct documentation and state-ICMS guidance — the two details that most often stall Brazilian entries.
Landed-cost cascade — worked example (50 t HRC parcel to Santos)
| Line | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| HRC parcel, 50 t × $520/t | $26,000 | CIF Santos |
| II 25% (2026 GECEX level) | +$6,500 | 12 months from Jan 2026 |
| AD US$211.56/t | +$10,578 | specific duty |
| IPI + PIS/COFINS ≈ 13% | +$3,380 | federal taxes |
| ICMS 18–19% (state, on cumulative base) | ≈ +$9,000 | São Paulo 18% |
| Landed ≈ $1,100/t | roughly 2.1× FOB |
For an NM450 plate parcel the AD line disappears, cutting roughly $210/t from the duty stack before ICMS.
Documents Brazilian customs will ask for
- Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading
- Mill test certificate matching NCM code
- Import license (LI) where required by NCM
- State ICMS registration of the importer
Change log — what moved, and when
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 2019 | HRC/CRC AD on China set at US$211.56/t |
| 2025 | Sunset-review continuation of the HRC/CRC AD confirmed; prepainted 5-year AD confirmed |
| 2026-01-28 | GECEX raises II on nine steel categories to 25% (12 months) |
| 2026-09 | AD investigation opened on Chinese high-pressure steel cylinders |
Related guide: electrical steel
HS 7225 also covers grain-oriented (GO) and non-oriented (NGO) electrical steel — the silicon steel grades used in transformer and motor cores. Read our guide: What is electrical steel — grades, GO vs NGO, and the global market.
Brazil steel import FAQ
What is the total import burden on Chinese steel in Brazil?
Roughly double FOB: II 25% (GECEX, 12 months from Jan 2026) + specific AD US$211.56/t on HRC/CRC + IPI + PIS/COFINS + state ICMS 18–19% on a cumulative base.
Is the HRC anti-dumping duty per-tonne or ad valorem?
Specific — US$211.56 per tonne, in force since 2019 and continued after the 2025 sunset review. It does not shrink when prices fall.
Does the AD apply to plate (7225)?
No — the measure targets 7208/7209 HRC/CRC lines. Plate pays II plus the tax stack but avoids the $211.56/t AD, typically saving $150–210/t of duty.
How does ICMS work on imports?
ICMS is a state tax (18% São Paulo, up to 19–20% elsewhere) applied on the cumulative import value including II, IPI and federal taxes. Your importer's state registration determines the rate.
How long does clearance take in Santos?
Typically 3–5 working days with complete LI/MTC documents; tax-registration or classification queries add 1–2 weeks.
来源与核实说明
- 1GECEX / Camex — import tariff resolutions (II)
- 2CIT — Brazilian trade-remedy determinations
- 3Receita Federal — customs tariff (II/IPI)
- 4S&P Global steel trade-remedy tracker
本页数据已于 2026-10-30 对照下列官方来源逐项核实，并每月滚动复核更新，每次复核日期见本页标注。
