What's the Tariff on Soybeans?
Major US export, but faces retaliatory tariffs from China.
Current Tariff Rate
0%
Pre-2025 Rate
0%
Rate Increase
+0pp
Price Impact
+0%
+$0
Real-World Price Impact
Before Tariffs
$12.5
1 bushel soybeans
After Tariffs
$12.5
1 bushel soybeans
That's $0 more per unit — a 0% price increase paid by the American buyer.
Note: Price estimates assume full tariff pass-through to consumers. Actual retail prices may vary — manufacturers may absorb some costs, shift production, or adjust margins.
The Story Behind This Tariff
Soybeans occupy a unique position in the tariff landscape — they face zero US import tariffs because the US is the world's largest soybean exporter. Instead, soybeans are on the receiving end of retaliatory tariffs, primarily from China. China's 25% retaliatory tariff on US soybeans (imposed in 2018 and maintained since) devastated American soybean farmers, who had exported $14B annually to China. Brazilian farmers rapidly filled the void, expanding Amazon-adjacent farmland to meet Chinese demand. US soybean exports to China have partially recovered through Phase One purchase commitments but remain below pre-trade-war levels. The soybean story illustrates how tariff wars create permanent trade diversion: Brazil's agricultural infrastructure expanded to serve China, and those trade relationships may never fully reverse. US farmers received $28B in emergency trade aid from 2018-2020 to offset lost Chinese sales.
📦 Supply Chain
Primary Origin
US
Made in USA
100%
Import Volume
N/A (net exporter)
Alternatives
N/A — US is world's #1 exporter
📅 Tariff Timeline
2018
China retaliates with 25% tariff on US soybeans
25% (Chinese tariff)2020
Phase One deal: China commits to purchase targets
25% (waived for purchases)2025
China maintains retaliatory tariff; US imposes no import duty
0% (US) / 25% (China)👥 Consumer Impact
Households Affected
2M (farm households)
Annual Cost Per Household
$3,200 (lost export revenue)
💡 Did You Know?
- •Brazil surpassed the US as the world's largest soybean producer in 2020, partly driven by trade war demand shifts
- •US farmers received $28B in emergency 'Market Facilitation Payments' from 2018-2020 to offset lost China sales
- •Soybeans are America's #1 agricultural export — the trade war cost $14B annually in peak years
Tariff Details
- HTS Code
- 1201.90
- Current Rate
- 0%
- Pre-2025 Rate
- 0%
- Tariff Type
- None (US exporter)
Legal Authority
None (US exporter)
Effective: 2025
Tariff imposed under presidential trade authority
The tariff on Soybeans is paid by the American importer at the port of entry and passed through to consumers as higher retail prices. The foreign manufacturer does not pay the tariff.
Who Actually Pays This Tariff?
Despite claims that tariffs are paid by foreign countries, the 0% tariff on Soybeans is paid by American importers — US companies that purchase these goods from abroad. The cost is then passed to American consumers through higher retail prices.
- ✓ The foreign seller receives the same price as before
- ✓ The US importer pays 0% of the customs value to CBP
- ✓ The retailer marks up the higher landed cost
- ✓ You pay more at the register: $12.5 → $12.5
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