Whey — HTS 0404
Whey, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter; products consisting of natural milk constituents, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, not elsewhere specified or included
Chapter 04 › Heading 0404
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 0404 is a broad product category for whey and certain products made from natural milk constituents. It can include whey whether concentrated or not, and whether or not sweetened, plus other milk-constituent products that are not more specifically covered elsewhere in the tariff. The heading is about the product’s composition and type—not simply whether it is marketed as a dairy or protein product.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, start with the product’s technical identity and then follow the subheadings and tariff lines under heading 0404. The relevant distinctions commonly include the material or form, such as whey versus another milk-constituent product, whether it is concentrated, and whether it contains added sugar or other sweetening matter. Review the full legal description, unit of quantity, and any applicable chapter or additional notes; a customs broker or classification specialist may be needed for borderline products.
What to check
- Obtain the ingredient statement, product specification, manufacturing description, and certificate of analysis before classifying the product.
- Determine whether the item is whey or a different product consisting of natural milk constituents, and check whether another HTS heading describes it more specifically.
- Verify whether the product is concentrated and whether sugar or another sweetening matter has been added; do not infer this from the product name alone.
- Compare the complete 8-digit tariff-line descriptions and any related notes, including requirements about composition, form, or intended use.
- Check the current official HTSUS, statistical unit, and any separate import measures or agency requirements; ask a customs professional when the formulation or processing is unusual.
HTS heading 0404 summary
Whey is a 4-digit product category containing 0 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0404.10 | Whey and modified whey, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter |
| 0404.90 | Other |
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 0404?
Whey, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter; products consisting of natural milk constituents, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, not elsewhere specified or included. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.