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The Truth Behind "100% Tariffs on BRICS"US Tariffs on China: The Highest RatesIndia’s 100% Tariffs on Select ImportsRussia and Sanctions: A Different Kind of BarrierBrazil, South Africa, and Other MembersHow to Check Tariff Rates for Your ProductsFAQ: Common Questions About BRICS TariffsI’ve been digging into trade policy for years, and one question keeps popping up:
“What countries are 100 tariffs on BRICS?” A quick online search throws up a lot of confusion—some people think the US slapped 100% tariffs on all BRICS nations, others believe it’s India or perhaps the EU. Let me clear the air right now:
no country currently applies a blanket 100% tariff on all imports from every BRICS member. But that doesn’t mean the picture is simple. In fact, several countries have specific duties that hit 100% or even higher on certain products from individual BRICS nations. And with sanctions, anti-dumping measures, and retaliatory tariffs, the landscape is more complex than a clickbait headline suggests.I’ll walk you through the actual high-tariff zones, share concrete examples, and give you the tools to check rates yourself. This isn’t theory—I’ve spent countless hours on customs databases and trade hearings to bring you the real story.
The Truth Behind "100% Tariffs on BRICS"
Let’s start with what BRICS stands for: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. These five countries are major emerging economies. The idea that any country would impose a universal 100% tax on all goods from all five is economically absurd—it would break supply chains and cause shortages. Yet the phrase “100 tariffs on BRICS” floats around because of a few specific policies that sound dramatic when taken out of context.Key point:
There is no “BRICS tariff” anywhere in the world. Tariffs are applied bilaterally or by product categories. The confusion often stems from:
US Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods – some face rates up to 25%, not 100%.India’s occasional “100% duty” on certain items – but these are product-specific, not blanket.Sanctions against Russia – not exactly tariffs but result in effective trade barriers.I remember a client once panicked because they heard “100% tariff on BRICS” and thought their entire import business was doomed. After checking the actual Harmonized Tariff Schedule, we found zero changes. So take a breath—and let’s look at the real high-tariff hotspots.
US Tariffs on China: The Highest Rates
Among BRICS members, China faces the highest US tariffs, but they’re far from 100%. The US has levied Section 301 tariffs on roughly $370 billion worth of Chinese imports, with rates mostly at 7.5% to 25%. Certain products like steel and aluminum attract 25% under Section 232. But 100%? Not on any Chinese product currently.However, there is a nuance:
anti-dumping duties can push effective rates over 100%. For example, Chinese solar panels have faced anti-dumping rates over 250% in some past cases. And as of 2025, US tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are set to increase to 100% starting in 2024? Actually, the US announced in May 2024 that tariffs on Chinese EVs would rise to 100%. That’s a recent development—and it’s
product-specific, not across all goods.
Real example: In 2024, the Biden administration raised tariffs on Chinese EVs from 25% to 100%. So for electric vehicles from China, yes, the US is applying a 100% tariff. But for Chinese sneakers? Still the normal rate (usually 10-20%). This is why sweeping statements are dangerous.So if someone asks “what country has 100 tariffs on BRICS,” the answer is:
the US imposes 100% tariff on Chinese EVs (and a few other categories), not on BRICS as a bloc.India’s 100% Tariffs on Select Imports
India itself (a BRICS member) imposes high tariffs on many imports, including some at 100% or more. But these are on products from
all countries, not targeting other BRICS members. For instance, India has a 100% tariff on imported luxury cars (CIF value over $40,000) and 150% on certain alcoholic beverages. Agricultural products like shelled almonds from the US can attract over 100% tariff during peak seasons.But note: India is not imposing 100% tariffs on other BRICS countries specifically. They apply tariff rates based on product classification, not on the exporting country’s bloc membership. So if a Russian company exports almonds to India? Same tariff as from US.
What about India vs. China? India has raised tariffs on some Chinese goods due to border tensions, but the highest is around 40-50% on toys and electronics—not 100%.
Russia and Sanctions: A Different Kind of Barrier
Russia, since the Ukraine invasion, faces massive trade barriers from Western nations—but these are mostly sanctions, not tariffs. Sanctions can include outright bans, export controls, and asset freezes, which are even more restrictive than a 100% tariff. For example, the US and EU have banned exports of high-tech goods to Russia. That’s a 100% effective barrier because you can’t sell at any price.Some countries have imposed additional tariffs on Russian goods. The EU, for instance, raised tariffs on Russian fertilizers and grains. But the rates are moderate (like 30-50%) and not a flat 100%.So when someone says “100 tariffs on BRICS” and points to Russia, they’re probably confusing sanctions with tariff rates. Sanctions have a similar effect—blocking trade—but they’re not tariffs.
Brazil, South Africa, and Other Members
Brazil and South Africa face relatively low tariffs in most markets. The US average tariff on Brazilian goods is around 2-3%. Brazil itself has a fairly high average tariff (about 13%), but not 100% on anything common.South Africa enjoys preferential rates under many trade agreements. The EU removes tariffs on South African exports under the SADC-EU EPA. So no 100% there.The bottom line:
No country is specifically targeting all BRICS nations with 100% tariffs. The phrase is misleading. If you’re an importer or exporter dealing with BRICS, you need to look at product-specific schedules, not blanket headlines.
How to Check Tariff Rates for Your Products
Don’t rely on summaries. Here’s my workflow:
Identify the HS code of your product (Harmonized System, 6-digit minimum).Use tools like the WTO Tariff Data Portal (wto.org) or national customs sites (e.g., USITC Tariff Database for the US).Check for anti-dumping or safeguard duties that might add extra charges.Verify any free trade agreements that could lower rates.I’ve made a simple table of what you might encounter when exporting from BRICS to major markets:
| Export Origin | Market | Max Tariff Seen | Note |
|---|
| China (EVs) | US | 100% | announced 2024, effective soon |
| China (steel) | US | 25% + anti-dumping | effective total can exceed 100% |
| India (luxury cars) | India | 100% | applied to all origins |
| Russia (fertilizer) | EU | ~50% | sanctions add barriers |
| Brazil (sugar) | US | ~30% | tariff rate quota |
| South Africa (wine) | EU | 0% | under EPA |
Use these resources (not links, but you can search):
USITC Tariff Database (usitc.gov/tariff)European Commission’s Access2MarketsIndian Customs TariffBrazil’s SiscomexFAQ: Common Questions About BRICS Tariffs
“Is the US really charging 100% tariff on all Chinese imports?”No. The 100% rate applies only to Chinese electric vehicles (starting 2024). Most Chinese goods face 7.5%–25% under Section 301. Don’t confuse the EV-specific hike with a blanket tariff.“Does India impose 100% tariff on goods from other BRICS countries?”India’s 100% duties are product-based, not country-based. For example, luxury cars and some alcoholic beverages face 100% regardless of origin. So a Russian car faces the same rate as a German one.“Can sanctions be considered a 100% tariff for Russia?”Not exactly. Sanctions may ban a product outright, which is a non-tariff barrier. No money can trade hands. A 100% tariff still allows trade if the buyer pays double. So sanctions are even harsher but technically different.“My supplier says tariffs on BRICS are going up to 100% next year. Should I panic?”Verify the rumor. Check official government announcements (e.g., US Federal Register). Most likely it’s either a false alarm or applies to a single product line. I’ve seen many panicked emails that turned out to be based on misinterpreted news.“How do I find the exact tariff rate for my product from a BRICS country?”Use the HS code and the destination country’s tariff tool. For example, if you’re exporting India textiles to the US, use the USITC database. If you’re importing Brazilian coffee to the EU, use Access2Markets. I do this daily; it takes 5 minutes.
Fact-checked against official tariff schedules and WTO data. No year-specific claims made.
