Fresh or Chilled Lamb Carcasses & Half-Carcasses

Fresh chilled lamb carcasses have a limited shelf life, and the extended ocean transit from South America or Oceania consumes a significant portion of that window. Importers should work with their logistics provider to minimize transit time and ensure continuous temperature monitoring documentation is available for FSIS review at the port of entry. Any evidence of temperature abuse can result in product refusal.

Lamb imports into the US have historically been subject to tariff-rate quota mechanisms that set a lower in-quota duty rate up to a specified volume threshold, with a higher over-quota rate applying above that level. Importers should check the current TRQ status and available quota balance with their licensed customs broker before shipment, as quota fill rates can shift significantly during peak import seasons.