Ecuadorian shrimp producers, who previously enjoyed no tariffs when shipping to the U.S., are now set to pay USD 20 million (EUR 17.1 million) per month due to the 15 percent tariff recently introduced by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, according to Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA).
As part of Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) sales contract frameworks, under which many Ecuadorian shrimp deals with the U.S. are signed, it is the international seller who is responsible for covering all costs and risks associated with delivering goods to the final destination, including freight, export and import duties, taxes, and other related fees, CNA’s communications department told SeafoodSource. As such, the buyer receives the cargo ready for sale, without having to deal with customs or pay import taxes.
Additionally, a cash bond must be left at U.S. customs to guarantee the payment of the tariffs, meaning the new rates are costing Ecuadorian shrimp exporters millions of dollars in liquidity, the CNA said.
The latest tariff regime for Ecuador entered into force on 7 August. When considering an additional 3.78 percent levied against the country, corresponding to countervailing duties for alleged sector subsidies, Ecuadorian shrimp now faces a total tariff burden of 18.78 percent to enter the U.S. market.
In 2024, Ecuador positioned itself as the second-largest supplier of shrimp to the U.S. behind India, exporting 412 million pounds, which was equivalent to USD 1.28 billion (EUR 1.09 billion). Another 296 million pounds were sent in the first half of 2025 alone, valued at USD 867 million (EUR 741 million). Of the latter total, the CNA estimates that USD 45 million (EUR 38.4 million) in tariffs have already been paid by the sector’s producers.
“With the increase in the tariffs announced by President Trump's administration, for the second half of the year … an additional USD 120 million [EUR 102 million] will be paid in reciprocal tariffs through December. If the measure is maintained, the total cost for the shrimp sector in 2025 will reach USD 170 million [EUR 145 million],” CNA Executive President José Antonio Camposano said in a release.
The CNA called for negotiations to reach a trade agreement that restores equitable access conditions to the U.S. market.
“Every day that passes without an agreement means millions in losses, putting at risk the international competitiveness of Ecuadorian shrimp and threatening more than 300,000 jobs that depend on this strategic activity,” the CNA said.
The development comes as Ecuador is experiencing all-time record shrimp production.
