Processed Cheese, Not Grated or Powdered

Processed cheese is produced by grinding, blending, and cooking one or more natural cheeses with emulsifying agents, resulting in a homogeneous product with a longer shelf life. For HTS purposes, the key distinction is that heading 0406.30 covers processed cheese that is not grated or powdered, while heading 0406.20 covers grated or powdered forms. If a product contains a mixture of processed cheese and other ingredients, the dominant cheese type and milk source determine the correct 10-digit line.

Jamaica's presence reflects re-export or further-processing activity: cheese may be imported into Jamaica, processed or repackaged, and then exported to the US. Importers should verify country-of-origin rules carefully, as the origin of the underlying natural cheese — not just the processing location — can affect TRQ eligibility and duty treatment. A licensed customs broker can help confirm whether the product meets substantial transformation requirements.