Imports account for 87% of shrimps eaten in the US

The tariffs, which will also apply to imports from Ecuador and Thailand, follow an inquiry by the US Commerce Department into pricing.

The inquiry found evidence that imports from the four countries were being sold at "less than fair value".

The US imposed duties on imports from China and Vietnam earlier this year.

The tariffs will range from up to 67% of sale price for Brazilian imports to up to 9% for imports from Ecuador.

Domestic petition

The action follows a petition by US producers which claimed that cut-price imports were destroying the domestic industry.

The verdict will be subject to ratification by the US International Trade Commission in January, although duties will be collected until then.

The tariffs will be placed on certain producers in each of the four countries.

Thailand, whose exports - worth $956m (�526m) - are the biggest of the four countries affected, faces duties of up to 10.2%.

The Thai government pleaded with US trade authorities last week not to impose duties, claiming that the move could destroy thousands of jobs in the country and raise prices for US consumers.

Indian exports will be subject to duties of up to 27%.

The US government set duties of up to 112% on shrimps from Vietnam and China earlier this month.