Green coffee exempt from US Reciprocal Tariffs

The White House has issued a new Presidential Action modifying the scope of the reciprocal tariffs. According to the newly released Annex II, green coffee has been explicitly added to the list of agricultural products exempt from tariffs.

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Unfortunately, for Brazilian coffee there’re no good news (yet): Brazilian coffee remains subject to a separate 40% import duty.

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Here is what is confirmed for now, what it means for your business, and what you should do next.

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The good news

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As confirmed in the White House's November 14th Presidential Action, green coffee was added to Annex II, which explicitly exempts it from the duties imposed by Executive Order 14257, the "Reciprocal Tariff".

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The bad news

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However, the separate Executive Order from July 30, 2025 is still in full effect.

• The rule: This order imposes an additional 40% ad valorem duty specifically on articles from Brazil.
• No exemption for coffee yet: Unlike the Reciprocal Tariff, the exclusions list for this specific Brazil order is limited to categories like energy products, fertilizers, and civil aircraft parts. Green coffee is NOT listed as an exclusion.
• "Stacking" rules: Section 3 of the July order explicitly states that this 40% duty applies "in addition to any other duties," including those from the Reciprocal Tariff.

What this means for roasters

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1. The "Plan B" for Brazil is still necessary - for now.

‍Importing from Brazil still carries a heavy 40% premium compared to other origins. While the additional Reciprocal Tariff is gone, the remaining 40% duty creates a significant cost barrier. We have some plans for you here, for example which coffees you can consider as substitutes and many strategies coming from a roaster panel with Sam LaRobardiere from Theory Roasters; Natalie Van Dusen from Treeline; and Patrick Riordan from Palace Coffee Roasters.

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2. Immediate financial relief

‍If you implemented "replacement pricing" strategies as discussed in our recent panel, you are now in a strong position. The cost of goods sold (COGS) for your next shipment of coffee will likely be significantly lower than anticipated last week.

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What you should do now

• Review your contracts: If you have forward contracts (coffee still in origin) that were on hold or in question due to tariffs, contact your suppliers immediately.
• Talk to your Sales Manager: Reach out to your Algrano representative. We can help you adjust your shipping plans and re-evaluate your sourcing strategy for the coming harvest.

We’re here for you!

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The last few months have been a rollercoaster of uncertainty. While we celebrated the resilience of roasters finding creative solutions, we are thrilled to see this barrier partly removed.

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We are updating the Algrano marketplace to reflect these changes as soon as possible. If you have any questions about your current orders or want to secure fresh lots now, hit the chat button or email us directly.