Fresh Cottage Cheese from Mexico
Fresh cottage cheese is an unripened soft cheese made from cow's milk curds with a mild flavor and creamy texture, typically containing 4% milkfat. It falls under HTS 0406.10.95.00 as 'other' fresh (unripened) cheese, distinct from whey cheese or specific fresh varieties like ricotta. This classification applies to plain varieties not meeting criteria for subheadings like low-fat or quota-specific types.
Duty Rate — Mexico → United States
18.5%
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
Import Tips
• Obtain USDA import license due to cheese quotas; ensure lab analysis confirms unripened status and milkfat content
• Provide certificate of origin excluding Mexico products
• Avoid misclassification by verifying no ripening process occurred