US Recalibrates Sugar Quotas for Latin American Partners
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting January 1, 2026, the U.S. is announcing the trade surplus levels for sugar and syrup products from Chile, Morocco, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Colombia, and Panama. This affects how much sugar-containing goods these countries can send to the U.S. with special low or no tariffs under various trade agreements. Businesses and governments should watch these numbers because they influence trade benefits and market access.
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Morocco ineligible for duty-free sugar goods
As of January 1, 2026, goods of Morocco are not eligible to enter the United States duty-free under HTSUS subheading 9822.03.01 for calendar year 2026. USTR found Morocco had a negative trade surplus in CY 2024, with imports exceeding exports by 1,148,574 metric tons.
Guatemala receives largest CAFTA-DR allotment
As of January 1, 2026, Guatemala may enter sugar and sugar-containing goods duty-free under HTSUS subheading 9822.05.20 up to 55,460 metric tons in calendar year 2026. USTR determined Guatemala's CY 2024 trade surplus was 966,270 metric tons, and the permitted CY 2026 amount is 55,460 metric tons (the lesser amount).
Colombia allowed 60,500 tons duty-free
As of January 1, 2026, Colombia may enter sugar and sugar-containing goods duty-free under HTSUS subheading 9822.08.01 up to 60,500 metric tons in calendar year 2026. USTR determined Colombia's CY 2024 trade surplus was 141,864 metric tons, and the allowed CY 2026 quantity is the lesser amount, 60,500 metric tons.
Chile loses duty-free sugar access
Starting January 1, 2026, goods of Chile are not eligible to enter the United States duty-free under HTSUS subheading 9822.02.01 for calendar year 2026. USTR found Chile had a negative trade surplus in these sugar and syrup goods in CY 2024, with Chile's imports exceeding exports by 664,764 metric tons.
Costa Rica allowed limited duty-free entries
Beginning January 1, 2026, Costa Rica may enter sugar and sugar-containing goods duty-free under HTSUS subheading 9822.05.20 up to 15,400 metric tons in calendar year 2026. USTR determined Costa Rica's CY 2024 trade surplus was 41,548 metric tons, and the allowed duty-free quantity for CY 2026 is the lesser amount, 15,400 metric tons.
Dominican Republic loses duty-free eligibility
Effective January 1, 2026, goods of the Dominican Republic are not eligible to enter the United States duty-free under HTSUS subheading 9822.05.20 for calendar year 2026. USTR found the Dominican Republic had a negative trade surplus in CY 2024, with imports exceeding exports by 115,993 metric tons.
El Salvador gets duty-free quantity cap
Starting January 1, 2026, El Salvador may enter sugar and sugar-containing goods duty-free under HTSUS subheading 9822.05.20 up to 40,120 metric tons in calendar year 2026. USTR found El Salvador's CY 2024 trade surplus was 271,876 metric tons, and the CY 2026 permitted quantity is the lesser amount, 40,120 metric tons.
Nicaragua allowed a 30,800-ton duty-free cap
Effective January 1, 2026, Nicaragua may enter sugar and sugar-containing goods duty-free under HTSUS subheading 9822.05.20 up to 30,800 metric tons in calendar year 2026. USTR determined Nicaragua's CY 2024 trade surplus was 406,136 metric tons, and the permitted CY 2026 amount is 30,800 metric tons.
Peru not eligible for duty-free sugar entries
Starting January 1, 2026, goods of Peru are not eligible to enter the United States duty-free under HTSUS subheading 9822.06.10 for calendar year 2026. USTR found Peru had a negative trade surplus in CY 2024, with imports exceeding exports by 279,860 metric tons.
Honduras limited duty-free entry amount
Beginning January 1, 2026, Honduras may enter sugar and sugar-containing goods duty-free under HTSUS subheading 9822.05.20 up to 11,200 metric tons in calendar year 2026. USTR found Honduras' CY 2024 trade surplus was 118,014 metric tons, and the permitted CY 2026 amount is the lesser number, 11,200 metric tons.
Panama denied duty-free sugar entries
Beginning January 1, 2026, goods of Panama are not eligible to enter the United States duty-free under HTSUS subheading 9822.09.17 for calendar year 2026. USTR found Panama had a negative trade surplus in CY 2024, with imports exceeding exports by 146 metric tons.
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