Sao Paulo, 15 September (Argus) — Steel importers in Brazil filled 299,300 metric tonnes (t) of the initial 497,130t allowed under lower 9-13pc tariffs by 10 September.
Imports exceeding this threshold will face a 25pc tariff until 23 October, when the quota resets and reduced tariffs apply again.
Buyers brought in 5,000t of 19 steel products covered by the quota policy between 3–10 September, foreign trade secretariat data shows.
Most of the volume awaits entry, with only 139,400t having cleared customs as of 10 September.
Quota consumption for flat products remained nearly unchanged, with less than 1,000t imported during the period. This marks a slowdown compared with the 4,900t imported under the policy from 27 August–3 September.
Beam shipments accounted for over 4,000t of steel imports in the seven-day window. Brazil recently added these products to the quota regime. Buyers can import up to 21,330t of I-beams and H-beams under reduced tariffs between 22 August–21 December, when the quota resets.
Brazil introduced its quota policy in June 2024 to regulate a surge in steel imports. The government extended the policy through May 2026. It included four additional steel products and reduced volumes eligible for lower tariffs.
Still, Brazil is on track for a new import record in 2025. Industry chamber Instituto Aço Brazil expects rolled steel imports to reach 6.3mn t by year-end, a 32pc increase from a year earlier.
By Isabel Filgueiras
