Top Tea Importers in North America

In 2021 the top importers of Tea in North America were United States ($526M), Canada ($136M), Mexico ($10.4M), Panama ($3.08M), and Trinidad and Tobago ($2.71M).

1. United States

In 2021, the United States emerged as the second-largest importer of tea globally, with tea imports amounting to $526 million. However, in terms of overall imports, tea ranked 496th in the United States. The primary tea suppliers to the United States were Japan, with imports valued at $93.5 million, followed by India at $68.6 million, China at $63.8 million, Argentina at $53.9 million, and Sri Lanka at $40.7 million.

Between 2020 and 2021, the United States experienced significant growth in its tea import markets. The fastest-growing markets during this period were Japan, with an increase of $13.9 million, followed by Chinese Taipei with $11.3 million, and China with $10.6 million.

Regarding tariffs, in 2018, the average tariff for tea in the United States was 1.53%. Notably, North Korea and Cuba had the highest import tariffs for tea, both with a Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment of 6.4%. Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Algeria followed with a duty rate treatment of 2.13%.

2. Canada

In 2021, Canada ranked as the 18th largest importer of tea globally, with tea imports totaling $136 million. However, within Canada’s overall imports, tea stood at the 471st position. The primary tea suppliers to Canada were the United States, with imports valued at $46.7 million, followed by India at $17.3 million, the United Kingdom at $16.4 million, China at $12.2 million, and Japan at $8.85 million.

Between 2020 and 2021, Canada witnessed notable growth in its tea import markets. The fastest-growing markets during this period were India, with an increase of $3.46 million, followed by the United States with $2.14 million, and Chinese Taipei with $1.53 million.

3. Mexico

In 2021, Mexico emerged as the 86th largest importer of tea worldwide, with tea imports valued at $10.4 million. However, within Mexico’s overall imports, tea ranked at the 859th position. The primary sources of Mexico’s tea imports were the United States, contributing $3.33 million, followed by India at $1.9 million, China at $1.69 million, Japan at $1.24 million, and Poland at $900,000.

Between 2020 and 2021, Mexico experienced notable growth in its tea import markets. The fastest-growing markets during this period were India, with an increase of $1.09 million, followed by the United States with $942,000, and Japan with $372,000.

Furthermore, in 2017, the average tariff for tea imports in Mexico stood at 16.6%, with countries like Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana imposing the highest import tariffs at 20% under the Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment.

4. Panama

In 2021, Panama secured its place as the 114th largest importer of tea globally, with tea imports totaling $3.08 million. However, within Panama’s overall imports, tea ranked at the 461st position. The primary sources of tea imports for Panama were Colombia, contributing $1.46 million, followed by the United States at $513,000, China at $473,000, Chile at $127,000, and Argentina at $92,900.

Between 2020 and 2021, Panama experienced significant growth in its tea import markets. The fastest-growing markets during this period were the United States, with an increase of $165,000, followed by China with $102,000, and Ecuador with $86,800.

Furthermore, in 2015, the average tariff for tea imports in Panama stood at 3.75%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, all imposing a Most Favored Nation duty rate treatment of 3.75%.

5. Trinidad and Tobago

In 2021, Trinidad and Tobago emerged as the 119th largest importer of tea worldwide, with tea imports valued at $2.71 million. Within Trinidad and Tobago’s overall imports, tea held the 312th position. The primary sources of tea imports for Trinidad and Tobago were the United Arab Emirates, contributing $757,000, followed by Poland at $427,000, Sri Lanka at $395,000, the United States at $370,000, and Peru at $368,000.

Between 2020 and 2021, Trinidad and Tobago experienced notable growth in its tea import markets. The fastest-growing markets during this period were Peru, with an increase of $242,000, followed by Sri Lanka with $119,000, and Poland with $106,000.

Furthermore, in 2013, the average tariff for tea imports in Trinidad and Tobago stood at 4.73%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, all imposing a Most Favored Nation duty rate treatment of 5%.

6. Guatemala

In 2021, Guatemala ranked as the 123rd largest importer of tea globally, with tea imports amounting to $2.38 million. Tea held the 622nd position among the imported products in Guatemala that year. Guatemala primarily sourced tea from Chile, accounting for $629,000 in imports, followed by Honduras at $580,000, the United States at $540,000, Colombia at $278,000, and Costa Rica at $93.5 thousand.

Between 2020 and 2021, Guatemala experienced notable growth in its tea import markets. The fastest-growing markets during this period were Honduras with an increase of $175,000, followed by the United States with $67,400 and Hong Kong with $45,800.

Furthermore, in 2015, the average tariff for tea imports in Guatemala stood at 13.9%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, all imposing a Most Favored Nation duty rate treatment of 15%.

7. Barbados

In 2021, Barbados stood as the 129th largest importer of tea worldwide, with tea imports reaching a value of $2.02 million. Tea ranked as the 170th most imported product in Barbados that year. Barbados primarily sourced tea from Jamaica, accounting for $762,000 in imports, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $391,000, the United States at $265,000, Poland at $190,000, and the United Kingdom at $120,000.

Between 2020 and 2021, Barbados experienced significant growth in its tea import markets. The fastest-growing markets during this period were Jamaica with an increase of $310,000, followed by Poland with $67,400 and Peru with $35,700.

Furthermore, in 2013, the average tariff for tea imports in Barbados was 4.21%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, all imposing a Most Favored Nation duty rate treatment of 5%.

8. Costa Rica

In 2021, Costa Rica emerged as the 134th largest importer of tea globally, with tea imports amounting to $1.53 million. Tea ranked as the 652nd most imported product in Costa Rica that year. Costa Rica primarily sourced tea from Poland, accounting for $477,000 in imports, followed by the United States at $384,000, Ecuador at $130,000, Spain at $117,000, and Japan at $92,400.

Between 2020 and 2021, Costa Rica experienced notable growth in its tea import markets. The fastest-growing markets during this period were Poland, witnessing an increase of $175,000, followed by Japan with $32,100 and Spain with $28,400.

Furthermore, in 2018, the average tariff for tea imports in Costa Rica was 12.1%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, all imposing a Most Favored Nation duty rate treatment of 14%.

9. Jamaica

In 2021, Jamaica stood as the 137th largest importer of tea globally, with tea imports totaling $1.47 million. Tea ranked as the 363rd most imported product in Jamaica that year. The primary sources of Jamaica’s tea imports were the United States, accounting for $426,000, followed by the United Kingdom at $373,000, Peru at $328,000, Poland at $157,000, and the United Arab Emirates at $141,000.

Between 2020 and 2021, Jamaica experienced significant growth in its tea import markets. The fastest-growing markets during this period were the United Kingdom with an increase of $102,000, followed by Malaysia with $9,240 and Japan with $8,110.

Furthermore, in 2016, the average tariff for tea imports in Jamaica was 5%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, all imposing a Most Favored Nation duty rate treatment of 5%.

10. Nicaragua

In 2021, Nicaragua emerged as the 154th largest importer of tea globally, with tea imports amounting to $748,000. Tea ranked as the 520th most imported product in Nicaragua during the same year. The primary sources of Nicaragua’s tea imports were Costa Rica, accounting for $644,000, followed by Mexico at $33,400, the United States at $29,300, Japan at $22,200, and El Salvador at $6,780.

Between 2020 and 2021, Nicaragua experienced notable growth in its tea import markets. The fastest-growing markets during this period were Japan with an increase of $6,850, followed by El Salvador with $3,610, and Chinese Taipei with $895.

Furthermore, in 2018, the average tariff for tea imports in Nicaragua was 13.4%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for tea were Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, all imposing a Most Favored Nation duty rate treatment of 15%.