Cheese and curd — HTS 0406
Cheese and curd
Chapter 04 › Heading 0406
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 0406 is the four-digit category for “cheese and curd.” It groups together cheese products and curd made from milk, including different forms and types of cheese. The heading is a broad starting point, not usually the complete classification needed for an import entry.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, read the subheadings and product descriptions beneath heading 0406. The code may distinguish products by characteristics such as fresh or ripened status, hardness, moisture, fat content, whether grated or powdered, and the specific kind of cheese. Review the tariff wording and any applicable legal notes; if the product’s composition or presentation creates uncertainty, obtain a customs-broker or classification specialist’s judgment.
What to check
- Confirm that the item is actually cheese or curd made from milk, rather than a cheese preparation, spread, sauce, or another processed food that may classify elsewhere.
- Collect the product specification sheet, including ingredients, milk source, moisture, fat content, ripening status, physical form, and whether it is grated or powdered.
- Compare the full product description with every relevant 6-digit and 8-digit subheading under 0406; do not stop at the heading number.
- Check whether packaging, retail presentation, blends, fillings, or added ingredients affect the tariff description or require review of additional notes.
- Verify the current HTSUS text and consult a qualified customs broker or request a binding classification decision when the product fits more than one description.
HTS heading 0406 summary
Cheese and curd 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 |
|---|---|
| 0406.10 | Fresh (unripened or uncured) cheese, including whey cheese, and curd |
| 0406.20 | Grated or powdered cheese, of all kinds |
| 0406.30 | Processed (process) cheese, not grated or powdered |
| 0406.40 | Blue-veined cheese and other cheese containing veins produced by Penicillium roqueforti |
| 0406.90 | Other cheese |
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 0406?
Cheese and curd. 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.