Pecorino Toscano Sheep Cheese
Pecorino Toscano is a Tuscan semi-soft cheese made from sheep's milk, aged 2-6 months with a mild, slightly tangy taste and brushed rind. It fits HTS 0406.90.59.00 for other sheep's milk cheeses not covered by blue-mold, Italian-type, or low-fat quotas. Imported as DOP-protected wheels for Italian cuisine.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If processed or grated
Grated or powdered sheep's cheeses classify under processed cheese subheadings when sold in that form rather than whole.
If mixed with other milks
Blends incorporating cow's or goat's milk shift to general 'other cheeses' quota category excluding pure sheep's milk products.
If flavored or with additives
Sheep's cheeses with herbs, spices, or non-dairy additives exceeding natural butter criteria become food preparations.
Not sure which classification is right?
Our AI classifier can analyze your specific product and recommend the correct HTS code with confidence.
Import Tips & Compliance
• Require DOP seal verification for authenticity; monitor calendar-year quota allocations; ensure vacuum packaging labels specify sheep's milk origin
Related Products under HTS 0406.90.59.00
Roquefort Sheep's Milk Cheese
Roquefort is a classic French blue-veined cheese made exclusively from sheep's milk, characterized by its tangy flavor and creamy texture from Penicillium roqueforti mold. It falls under HTS 0406.90.59.00 as 'other' sheep's milk cheese that doesn't qualify for specific blue-mold quotas in other subheadings. This classification applies to imported wheels or wedges not meeting exact quota descriptions.
Manchego Curado Sheep Cheese
Manchego Curado is a semi-hard Spanish cheese aged 3-6 months, made from raw Manchega sheep's milk with a firm texture and nutty flavor. Classified under HTS 0406.90.59.00 as 'other' sheep's milk cheese, excluding quota-specific types like those low in fat or blue-mold varieties. Typically imported in 7-10 lb wheels for gourmet markets.
Idiazabal Sheep Milk Cheese
Idiazabal is a smoked or unsmoked Basque sheep's cheese from Latxa breed milk, semi-hard with phenolic flavors from smoking over beech wood. Under HTS 0406.90.59.00 as other sheep's milk cheese, as smoking doesn't trigger separate preservation classification. PDO-protected, imported in 4-6 kg loaves.
Feta-Style Sheep Cheese
Feta-style cheese is a brined white cheese made from pure sheep's milk (or sheep/goat blend approximating 100% sheep), crumbly with tangy salinity. HTS 0406.90.59.00 covers it as other sheep's milk cheese excluding PDO Feta from specific regions. Bulk imported in barrels for salad production.
Ossau-Iraty Sheep Cheese
Ossau-Iraty is France's only PDO sheep's cheese from Manech breed milk, semi-hard with fruity, nutty notes after 4+ months aging. Classifies in HTS 0406.90.59.00 as other sheep's milk cheese not matching quota-specific types. Imported as 4-5 kg wheels for charcuterie.
Queijo de Ovelha Sheep Cheese
Queijo de Ovelha is Portuguese cured sheep's cheese, semi-hard with rustic flavor from local breeds, aged in natural rinds. HTS 0406.90.59.00 for other sheep's milk cheeses outside specific quotas. Imported vacuum-packed for ethnic markets.