Gorgonzola Piccante DOP Blue Cheese from Japan
Gorgonzola Piccante is a sharp, crumbly Italian blue-veined cheese aged longer for intense flavor, made from cow's milk with natural blue mold veins. Classified under HTS 0406.90.74.00 as 'other' containing blue-veined cheese, it avoids specific blue-mold quotas due to its non-Stilton, non-Roquefort status. The DOP designation confirms authentic blue-veined processing.
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 DOP certification and mold culture analysis for Customs verification
• Apply for USDA import licenses early due to calendar-year quotas
• Watch for misclassification if blended with non-blue cheeses