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SITCSection 0
U.S. imports of buttermilk, kefir & other fermented or acidified milk and cream (SITC 02232) totaled $223K in April 2026, traded with 14 countries.
Importers of Buttermilk, Kefir & Other Fermented or Acidified Milk and Cream paid $44K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 20% on $223K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Buttermilk, Kefir & Other Fermented or Acidified Milk and Cream imports of $223K in April 2026 ran 18% below the year-to-date monthly average of $271K.
Last updated: April 2026 dataFermented and acidified dairy products — including buttermilk, curdled milk and cream, kefir, and similar cultured products — occupy a distinct classification from yogurt based on the specific fermentation or acidification process and the microbial cultures involved. Kefir, in particular, has grown as a specialty import category driven by consumer interest in probiotic beverages, and its grain-based culture distinguishes it commercially from yogurt even though both are fermented. All products in this heading require USDA FSIS admissibility clearance from approved foreign establishments. Importers should ensure that culture declarations and processing method descriptions on entry documents align with the product's classification, as misidentification between yogurt and kefir can trigger reclassification.
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The distinction rests on the specific microbial cultures used and the fermentation process. Yogurt is produced using Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus cultures, while kefir is fermented using kefir grains containing a broader mix of bacteria and yeasts. Importers should include a technical product specification or culture declaration with the entry to support the correct classification.
Yes. FDA requires that fermented milk beverages like kefir carry accurate ingredient and culture declarations, and the product name must not imply it is yogurt unless it meets yogurt's standard of identity. If the product contains added fruit, flavors, or sweeteners, those must be fully declared. FSIS admissibility clearance is also required before the product can enter US commerce.
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Monthly import values over time
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXICO | $18K | $4.2M | +$4.1M |
| PHILIPPINES | -- | $667K | +$667K |
| CANADA | -- | $241K | +$241K |
| MALAYSIA | -- | $220K | +$220K |
| THAILAND | -- | $127K | +$127K |