Venezuela imposes tariffs of up to 77% on Brazilian exports despite trade agreement

Without any official notice, Venezuela has begun charging import tariffs on Brazilian products that were previously exempt under a bilateral trade agreement. The move directly impacts exports from the state of Roraima, which has counted Venezuela as its leading trading partner since 2019.

The tariffs caught Brazilian businesses and authorities by surprise, as they violate the Economic Complementation Agreement (ACE 59), signed in 2014 between the two countries. The treaty, part of the Latin American Integration Association (Aladi), guarantees tax exemptions for most products, provided a certificate of origin accompanies them.

According to recent data, Roraima exported US$144.6 million worth of goods to Venezuela in 2024 — about R$799 million. Key products included flour, cocoa, margarine, and sugarcane. Under the new measure, these Brazilian goods are now being taxed at rates ranging from 15% to 77%.

Eduardo Ostreicher, president of the Brazil-Venezuela Chamber of Commerce, stated that the situation may stem from either a technical issue in Venezuela’s customs system or a unilateral decision by the government of President Nicolás Maduro regarding Mercosur countries. To clarify the problem, he is preparing a report to be sent to Brazil’s embassy in Caracas.

“If it’s a mistake, we hope the system gets corrected. If it’s a political decision, then diplomatic dialogue will be necessary, because both sides lose,” Ostreicher warned.

Roraima’s Industry Federation (Fier) has also launched an inquiry to understand why Venezuelan authorities are not recognizing the certificates of origin. In a statement, the federation said it remains in contact with Brazil’s federal government and Venezuelan officials to quickly resolve the issue and restore trade under the legal terms of ACE 59.

Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (MDIC) confirmed that it has received reports of the disruption and is monitoring the situation alongside the Brazilian embassy in Caracas. The ministry is also collaborating with the private sector to gather detailed information that supports diplomatic negotiations.

Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet issued an official statement.

The sudden measure by Venezuela comes amid already strained diplomatic relations. In 2023, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva caused tension by declining to formally recognize Nicolás Maduro’s re-election — a move that may have contributed to the current commercial tightening.

Source: BR104

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