Ghee Clarified Butter from Japan
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 — Japan → United States
12.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.4912.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — Japan (col1 rate < 12.5 percent): MFN < 12.5% → total duty capped at 12.5%
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