Unsweetened Chocolate Baking Block from China

A solid block of ground cocoa beans with added cocoa fat, containing less than 32% butterfat and 60% sugar, designed for industrial chocolate production. It qualifies under HTS 1806.32.18.00 as a preparation wholly of ground cocoa beans without fillings, not for retail candy consumption. This excludes retail-packaged products, focusing on bulk for manufacturing.

Duty Rate — China → United States

21.8%

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
9903.88.157.5%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.39, 9903.88.42, 9903.88.44, 9903.88.47, 9903.88.49, 9903.88.51, 9903.88.53, 9903.88.55, 9903.88.57, 9903.88.65, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(r) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(s)

Import Tips

Verify butterfat and milk solids content via lab analysis to confirm under 32% threshold; provide certificates to Customs

Ensure entry excludes retail candy packaging; declare as industrial ingredient to avoid quota misclassification

Monitor annual quantitative limits (2.12M kg total); prioritize origins like Ireland/UK for quota access