Kefir Fermented Milk Drink from China
Kefir is a fermented milk beverage made with kefir grains containing symbiotic bacteria and yeast cultures, explicitly named in heading 0403. Israeli-produced kefir enters under HTS 0403.90.87.00 pursuant to General Note 15 provisions for other fermented milks. It qualifies due to its specific microbial fermentation profile.
Duty Rate — China → United States
37.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
9903.88.157.5%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.39, 9903.88.42, 9903.88.44, 9903.88.47, 9903.88.49, 9903.88.51, 9903.88.53, 9903.88.55, 9903.88.57, 9903.88.65, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(r) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(s)
Import Tips
• Include microbiological analysis confirming live kefir cultures for classification verification
• Ensure packaging clearly identifies as 'kefir' rather than generic yogurt to avoid reclassification
• Track calendar-year quota usage as licenses are not transferable across years