After a period of confusion caused by conflicting reports, it is now clear that Mexican beer can be shipped tariff-free to the United States if it complies with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). However, consumers in the U.S. may still face higher prices for canned Mexican beer due to a 25% tariff on imported aluminum cans.
According to information from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the tariff, imposed by former President Donald Trump, applies only to the aluminum cans used to package the beer, not the beer itself. This clarification was reported by El Economista on Sunday and follows a statement from the U.S. Department of Commerce in April, which had originally sparked confusion about the application of tariffs.
The confusion stemmed from an email statement sent by the Commerce Department to Politico, which clarified that the tariff only applies to the aluminum content of the cans and not to the beer inside them. This was in line with the Department’s April 2 announcement expanding the 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products to include “two additional aluminum derivative products,” specifically beer and empty aluminum cans. At the time, reports from outlets like Mexico News Daily and CNBC led to uncertainty, with some suggesting that the tariff could apply to all beer imports.
This confusion prompted concerns from the Brewers of Europe association, which expressed disappointment over the classification of beer as an “aluminum derivative” and its potential impact on international beer trade.
Despite the confusion, it is now understood that only the aluminum can itself is subject to the 25% tariff, and the beer itself, as long as it complies with the USMCA, is duty-free. Under the USMCA, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Mexican beer qualifies for duty-free status if it adheres to specific regulations, such as using U.S. hops and Canadian malt. This includes the majority of Mexican beer brands that are exported to the U.S.
For example, major Mexican brewers like Constellation Brands, which brews Grupo Modelo beers, benefit from this trade agreement, making their products eligible for tariff exemptions. In contrast, beer imported from other regions, including European countries, faces a 10% tariff.
While the beer itself may not be affected by tariffs, the aluminum cans are a different matter. Mexico is the leading exporter of both beer and empty aluminum cans to the United States, and the 25% tariff on these cans has had a notable impact on the cost of Mexican beers, such as Corona, Modelo Especial, and Tecate. This tariff will make the cans, and consequently the beer packaged in them, more expensive for U.S. consumers.
Data from the U.S. Department of Commerce shows that Mexico exported over 1.1 billion empty aluminum cans to the United States last year, generating $135 million in revenue. In 2024, Mexico was the largest exporter of beer to the U.S., accounting for 82.5% of the market, valued at nearly $6.3 billion. While nearly 60% of Mexico’s beer exports to the U.S. were in glass bottles, the remaining 40% was in cans, which are now subject to the tariff.
The higher costs associated with the tariff on cans have already begun to affect companies like Constellation Brands. The company recently lowered its earnings projections for 2027 and 2028, citing potential tariff impacts as one of the factors influencing their forecast. Constellation, which operates two breweries in northern Mexico and is constructing another in Veracruz, is likely to face significant challenges due to the added cost of aluminum cans.
As the U.S. continues to enforce its tariffs, the economic implications of the aluminum can tariff for Mexican brewers and U.S. consumers remain a key issue in the cross-border beer trade.
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