SITCSection 7
U.S. imports of dairy machinery (SITC 72138) totaled $2.6M in July 2026, traded with 25 countries.
Importers of Dairy Machinery paid $40K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 1.7% on $2.3M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Dairy Machinery imports of $2.6M in July 2026 ran 39% below the year-to-date monthly average of $4.2M.
Last updated: July 2026 dataPasteurizers, separators, homogenizers, cheese vats, butter churns, and other equipment used in the processing of milk and dairy products fall under this heading, distinct from milking machines and their parts. Dairy processing machinery is a capital-intensive import category serving both large-scale creameries and artisan dairy operations, with European manufacturers — particularly from Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia — historically prominent in the global supply base. Importers should verify whether a machine's primary function is dairy processing or a broader food-processing application, as the latter may shift classification.
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38 shipments/mo
Basic heading 72138 · $2.6M of $175.6B
The key factor is whether the machine is designed and principally used for processing milk or dairy products specifically. A pasteurizer engineered for milk, or a separator designed for cream, qualifies here. A general-purpose heat exchanger or pump used across multiple food industries would typically be classified under a broader food-machinery or industrial-machinery heading based on its design characteristics.
While CBP clearance does not require food-safety equipment certification, dairy processing facilities in the US must comply with FDA's Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and applicable state dairy regulations, which specify equipment design standards (often 3-A Sanitary Standards). Importers should confirm that foreign-manufactured equipment meets these standards before purchase, as non-compliant equipment cannot be used in licensed dairy plants regardless of its import status.
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Imports · July 2026
origin
Denmark and Netherlands together supply 71% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.6MYoY · Pro
Exports
$1.7MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.