Young Gouda Cheese Wheel from Japan
A semi-soft, mild-flavored Gouda cheese aged for 1-3 months, produced from cow's milk with a smooth texture and characteristic yellow wax coating. It falls under HTS 0406.90.18.00 as 'other' Edam and Gouda cheeses, distinct from specific quota subheadings for fresh or grated varieties. This classification applies to wheel-form cheeses not meeting exact descriptions in prior subheadings.
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 tariff-rate quota restrictions; verify cheese meets Edam/Gouda characteristics per Chapter 4 notes
• Ensure proper documentation of milk origin and aging process to avoid reclassification
• Watch country-specific quotas (e.g
• EU-27 at 6.389M kg)