Fresh Queso Blanco Cheese from Japan
Queso Blanco is a fresh, unripened white cheese made from cow's milk with a mild flavor and crumbly texture, held together by heat and acid coagulation rather than rennet. It falls under HTS 0406.10.68.00 as 'other fresh cheese' since it is neither whey cheese nor ripened, and does not qualify as Swiss/Emmentaler or Gruyere-process under quota provisions. Typically used in Latin American cuisine for frying or crumbling over salads.
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
• Obtain USDA import license due to cheese quota restrictions; provide lab analysis confirming fresh/unripened status and fat content; avoid misclassification as ripened cheese which falls outside quota subheadings