Queso Fresco
Traditional Mexican fresh cow's milk cheese, crumbly and mildly tangy, used in tacos and salads. Falls under HTS 0406.10.88.00 as unripened cow's milk cheese not qualifying for specific exclusions. Excludes soft ripened varieties per chapter notes.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If made from non-cow's milk (goat/sheep blend)
Non-cow's milk fresh cheese has dedicated subheading outside quota restrictions.
If imported as yogurt cheese strained product
Strained yogurt products exceeding certain consistencies classify as yogurt in heading 0403.
If flavored with fruits/nuts exceeding 1% by weight
Food preparations containing cheese with significant non-dairy additions move to Chapter 19.
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Import Tips & Compliance
• Verify country of origin quotas; Mexican products prohibited from cheese quota subheadings
• Include certificate of analysis showing moisture content consistent with fresh cheese
• Label clearly as 'fresh cheese' to prevent reclassification as ripened varieties
Related Products under HTS 0406.10.88.00
Ricotta Cheese
Fresh unripened cow's milk cheese made from whey, with a soft texture and mild flavor, used in Italian cuisine. Classified under HTS 0406.10.88.00 as fresh (unripened) cheese containing cow's milk, excluding soft ripened varieties. Meets chapter criteria for fresh cheese and curd products.
Fromage Blanc
French-style fresh cow's milk cheese similar to cream cheese but unripened, with tangy flavor for spreads. HTS 0406.10.88.00 covers this as other fresh cow's milk cheese excluding soft ripened types. Used in baking and cooking applications.
Mascarpone Cheese
Italian fresh cream cheese made from cow's milk, triple-creamed with high fat content for tiramisu. Classified in HTS 0406.10.88.00 as unripened cow's milk cheese. Excludes ripened varieties per HTS exclusions.
Cream Cheese Cubes
Pasteurized fresh cow's milk cream cheese cut into cubes, unripened for baking and spreads. HTS 0406.10.88.00 applies to this fresh cheese form excluding soft ripened. Commercial packaging for retail sale.
Farmer's Cheese
Traditional American fresh cheese from cow's milk, pressed curd with mild flavor for cooking. Fits HTS 0406.10.88.00 as other unripened cow's milk cheese. Excludes quota-exempt soft ripened varieties.
TVOROG Russian Farmer Cheese
Russian-style fresh quark cheese from cow's milk, high moisture unripened for blini and cheesecakes. HTS 0406.10.88.00 classification for other fresh cow's milk cheeses. Meets unripened criteria per chapter notes.