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Import Roundup: Key Developments in Q3 2026

Oct 6
2 min read

The third quarter of 2026 was marked by important changes in foreign trade, with impacts on costs, tariffs, trade flows, and commercial relations. In Brazil, imports continued on a growth trajectory: from January to August, they increased by 6.1% compared to the same period in 2025, reaching US$195.54 billion. The result reinforces the pace of Brazil’s foreign trade activity throughout the year.


On the international stage, China maintained a strong pace in foreign trade. Between January and August, the country’s trade in goods grew by 17.6%, with imports increasing by 22% and exports by 14.6%. This performance highlights the strength of the Chinese market both as a major buyer and as a global supplier, keeping the country as one of the key hubs of international production and supply chains.


Another highlight of the quarter was the U.S. tariff increase on Brazilian products. In July, additional tariffs of 25% and 12.5% were announced on certain Brazilian exports, measures that increased pressure on companies operating in the U.S. market and brought greater uncertainty to international trade. According to Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Foreign Trade and Services (MDIC), the combined measures affected approximately 23.1% of Brazilian exports to the United States.


In international logistics, costs also stood out. Ocean freight between China and Brazil reached around US$10,000 per container, compared with approximately US$2,000 to US$3,000 under normal conditions. The scenario was influenced by geopolitical conflicts, energy prices, and changes in major shipping routes. In September, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to significantly reduced levels, with only nine cargo ship passages recorded on September 24, compared with an average of around 18 in the previous ten days.


At the same time, the quarter brought progress in Brazil’s trade relations. In August, the Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and Singapore entered into force, expanding market access opportunities and establishing rules for tariff reductions. In September, the Mercosur-Egypt Agreement reached the final stage of the tariff elimination process, covering approximately 9,800 tariff lines. In an ever-changing international environment, keeping track of these developments is essential to identifying new paths for foreign trade.


Count on Prinie to keep up with changes in foreign trade and turn new market developments into opportunities for your business.



 
 
 

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