BRICS+ Trade in 2026: Barriers & Integration Challenges

Global South EXPOHUB AI Analytics · 2026-08-28

Non-tariff barriers — lack of mutual recognition of standards, customs procedures, conformity assessment, regulatory divergence, and logistics gaps — are the central constraint on intra-BRICS trade in 2026. They are the anchor talking point at the BRICS Business Forum 2026, where Panel 1 is dedicated to reducing NTBs and building resilient supply chains. Context: Two Decades of Rapid Growth Intra-BRICS merchandise trade has expanded more than thirteen-fold since 2003, from USD 84 billion to USD 1.17 trillion in 2024, growing at an annual average rate of 13.3% — far outpacing global trade at 5.7% over the same period. Total intra-bloc turnover exceeded USD 1 trillion in 2025. This followed two rounds of enlargement: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joined in January 2024, and Indonesia followed in January 2025 — bringing the bloc to 11 full members plus 10 partner countries as of 2026. Key Numbers - Intra-BRICS exports reached USD 1.17 trillion in 2024 (UNCTAD) - Total intra-bloc turnover exceeded USD 1 trillion in 2025 - BRICS+ generates 24% of global exports and 27% of global GDP, yet intra-bloc trade is only about 5% of world trade - The India-China corridor hit a record USD 155.6 billion in 2025, with India's trade deficit with China widening to a record USD 116 billion - Average bilateral BRICS tariffs fell from the 10-20% range in 2003 to single digits by 2021 - Several smaller members now send over 30% of their total exports to fellow BRICS states, per UNCTAD Deep Dive: Why Non-Tariff Barriers Matter More Than Tariffs The economic case for tariff-based liberalisation is largely exhausted. Bilateral tariffs among BRICS members have already declined into single digits, offering only marginal gains from further cuts. The binding constraint has shifted to non-tariff barriers: lack of mutual recognition of standards, incompatible conformity assessment procedures, disparate customs regulations, and slow logistics infrastructure. India maintains one of the largest inventories of non-tariff measures among BRICS members, alongside China, Brazil and South Africa. Each NTB adds transaction costs, forces duplicate compliance work, and disproportionately burdens SMEs — helping explain why intra-BRICS trade's 5% share of world trade lags so far behind the bloc's 24% share of global exports and 27% share of global GDP. For context, intra-EU trade runs close to 20% of world trade, though the EU operates as a customs union with a single market — a depth of integration BRICS+ has not pursued. The comparison illustrates untapped potential rather than a benchmark BRICS+ has failed to hit. This is why the Forum's Panel 1 on "Strengthening Trade" focuses on mutual recognition of standards, streamlined customs procedures, resilient supply chains, and industrial complementarities between members. What This Means for Business For exporters: the most productive area for capacity-building in 2026-2027 is compliance infrastructure. Early expertise in navigating BRICS-wide standards and certifications should translate into disproportionate market share as harmonisation progresses. For investors: infrastructure and logistics deals are likely to feature prominently in Forum announcements, with cross-border payment systems and digital trade platforms attracting policy support. For event participants: Forum discussions typically feed into the BRICS Leaders' Summit declaration, held this year on September 12-13. Frequently Asked Questions What is intra-BRICS trade in 2026? Trade between BRICS member states reached USD 1 trillion in turnover in 2025 and USD 1.17 trillion in exports in 2024. Which BRICS members trade the most between themselves? The India-China corridor is the largest bilateral relationship within BRICS, at USD 155.6 billion in 2025. Several smaller members depend on intra-bloc trade for over 30% of their exports, per UNCTAD. What are the main non-tariff barriers in BRICS? Lack of mutual recognition of standards, incompatible conformity assessment, disparate customs regulations, and logistics gaps — these now cost more than tariffs, which have fallen to single digits. Why does intra-BRICS trade only account for 5% of world trade? Because the bloc's external economic weight — 24% of global exports and 27% of global GDP — is not matched by trade integration between its own members, largely due to regulatory divergence and logistics gaps. What can businesses do to benefit from BRICS trade growth? Invest in compliance capabilities across BRICS regulatory systems, build relationships at Business Forum side events, and monitor policy announcements on standards recognition. Related Content For the broader picture of India's chairship, see our pillar brief on BRICS 2026 India: Economic Power & the 18th Summit. Event details and the full agenda are on our BRICS Business Forum India 2026 page (Panel 1: September 11, 10:30-11:15 am, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi). Follow this bloc's cross-border development on our BRICS alliance hub.

Context event: BRICS Business Forum

Industrials · India · BRICS · SCO