Reduced-Fat Gouda Cheese from Japan
Gouda cheese with 20-30% less fat than standard, maintaining semi-hard texture for slicing. Classified HTS 0406.90.18.00 as other Edam/Gouda, provided butterfat exceeds 0.5% threshold excluding low-fat quotas. Meets natural cheese definition without substitutes.
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
• Lab test fat content to confirm >0.5% avoiding separate low-fat quota (AUSN 23)
• Reference country quotas like New Zealand for blends
• Ensure no emulsifiers per butter note exclusion