Tariff Rates
Tariff on Food & Beverages: The Hidden Tariff at Your Grocery Store
U.S. tariffs on imported food and beverages add 5-33% to grocery prices. The average household pays $200-500 per year in hidden tariff costs on imported food items. These duties are eligible for refund through the CBP CAPE program.
5-33%
tariff rate range
$200-500/year
avg. household impact
$180 billion
total U.S. imports
How Much Do Tariffs Add to Food & Beverages Prices?
Here's what tariffs actually cost you on common food & beverages purchases.
| Product | Tariff Rate | Price Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Canned & Packaged Foods | 5-20% | $0.50-3 per item |
| Seafood | 5-25% | $2-8 per pound |
| Snacks & Candy | 10-20% | $1-4 per package |
| Olive Oil | 5-10% | $1-3 per bottle |
| Spices | 5-15% | $0.50-2 per jar |
The bigger picture: According to the Yale Budget Lab, U.S. tariffs cost the average American household $3,800 per year across all product categories. Food & Beverages accounts for an estimated $200-500/year of that total.
Which Food & Beverages Products Are Most Affected?
Canned & Packaged Foods
Low impact5-20%
tariff rate
This adds $0.50-3 per item to the price you pay.
Seafood
Low impact5-25%
tariff rate
This adds $2-8 per pound to the price you pay.
Snacks & Candy
Medium impact10-20%
tariff rate
This adds $1-4 per package to the price you pay.
Olive Oil
Low impact5-10%
tariff rate
This adds $1-3 per bottle to the price you pay.
Spices
Low impact5-15%
tariff rate
This adds $0.50-2 per jar to the price you pay.
Where Does Food & Beverages Come From?
Tariff rates vary by country of origin. Here are the top countries exporting food & beverages to the United States.
China faces the highest tariff rates (up to 145% on some goods) due to Section 301 and IEEPA tariffs. Other countries face varying rates under IEEPA “reciprocal” tariffs.
Can You Get This Money Back?
For Importers
CAPE Tariff Refund Recovery
If you import food & beverages, your entries may qualify for refund through the CBP CAPE program. Tariffi prepares your declaration data; your licensed customs broker partner files it.
Start your claimFor Consumers
B2B2C Refund Distribution
Individual consumers can't file CAPE declarations directly, but Tariffi's distribution program connects you with importers recovering refunds — so a portion of those savings can flow back to you.
Calculate your impactFrequently Asked Questions
- Why are grocery prices so high?
- While supply chain disruptions and inflation are factors, tariffs on imported food products add 5-33% to costs. The U.S. imports over $180 billion in food annually, and tariffs on items from China, Mexico, and other countries increase prices across the grocery aisle.
- Is there a tariff on imported seafood?
- Yes. Imported seafood faces tariffs of 5-25% depending on species and country of origin. Shrimp from China and Southeast Asia, salmon from various countries, and crab all carry significant tariff costs that raise retail prices at the fish counter.
- Do tariffs affect organic and specialty foods?
- Yes. Organic and specialty imported foods face the same tariff rates as conventional products. Specialty items like Italian olive oil, French cheese, and Japanese snacks all include tariff costs in their U.S. retail prices.
Related resources
- All tariff rates by product & country — browse tariff impacts across all categories
- Tariff recovery by industry — refund pools for 30+ import sectors
- IEEPA & Section 301 refund guides — step-by-step recovery guides
- Tariff impact calculator — estimate your overpayment and potential refund
Calculate your tariff impact on food & beverages
See exactly how much tariffs add to the food & beverages you import or buy — and how much you could recover.
Calculate Your Tariff ImpactQuestions? support@tariffi.io