U.S. imports of Dairy Spreads (HS 040520) totaled $3.5M in August 2026, imported from 10 countries.
Importers of Dairy Spreads paid $496K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 14.02% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Dairy Spreads imports of $3.5M in August 2026 ran 31% above the year-to-date monthly average of $2.7M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataDairy spreads and butter substitutes with more than 45% butterfat content occupy a distinct classification space from butter itself, with the US schedule further subdividing entries by butterfat level and quota eligibility across lines including 0405202000, 0405203000, 0405204000, and 0405208000. Ireland and the Netherlands lead US supply, reflecting the European Union's well-developed blended-fat and reduced-fat dairy spread manufacturing sector. Products in this heading that contain vegetable fat blended with dairy fat require careful classification review to confirm they do not fall instead under Chapter 21 or the edible fats headings. Importers should consult a licensed customs broker or the relevant agency, as dairy food admissibility requirements apply.
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46 import shipments a month
Under Chapter 4, dairy spreads are milk-fat-based products formulated specifically for spreading, often with a lower or modified fat content compared to standard butter. The critical classification question is butterfat percentage: products exceeding 45% butterfat may fall under the butter-substitute lines (0405202000 or 0405203000) subject to Additional US Note 14, while those below that threshold or with different compositions may be classified elsewhere. A binding ruling from CBP is advisable when the fat composition is near a threshold.
Yes. Several lines within heading 0405.20 reference Additional US Note 14 to Chapter 4, which establishes TRQ treatment for butter substitutes with more than 45% butterfat. Quantities within the quota enter at a lower duty rate, while over-quota shipments face higher rates. Importers should verify quota availability and licensing requirements before committing to a shipment.
ImportsExports
Imports
$3.5MYoY · free account
Exports
$76KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $28.0M of Dairy Spreads and exported $1.6M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
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Subheading 2 of 3 in heading 0405
Subheading 040520 · $3.5M of $77.7M
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0405202000 | Butter Subst, Gt 45% Butterfat, Addtonl Note 14 | $1.9M | 10.00% | 100.00% | $193K |
| 0405203000 | Butter Subst, Gt 45% Butterfat, NESOI | $1.6M | 19.08% | 100.00% | $297K |
| 0405204000 | Butter Substitutes, Whether in Liquid/Solid, NESOI | $51K | 11.83% | 100.00% | $6K |
| 0405208000 | Dairy Spreads: NESOI | — | -- | -- | -- |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0405200000 | Dairy Spreads | $76K |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Ireland and India together supply 100% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
duty collected equals 14.02% of imports for consumption.