Ghee Clarified Butter from China
Ghee is clarified butter made by heating butter to separate milk solids and water, resulting in a product with over 99% milkfat that does not meet the water and solids limits for natural butter. Classified under HTS 0405.90.20.40 as 'other' per subheading note excluding dehydrated butter/ghee from 0405.10 butter definition. Traditional in Indian/South Asian cuisine for cooking and religious uses.
Duty Rate — China → United States
26%
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
• Confirm dehydration level as ghee explicitly excluded from butter subheading 0405.10; apply for import license under butter oil quota (6M+ kg limit)
• Provide certificate of analysis showing >99% milkfat to avoid reclassification; watch for TRQ exhaustion leading to higher over-quota duties