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SITCSection 0
U.S. imports of fresh (unripened or uncured) cheese, including whey cheese and curd (SITC 02491) totaled $7.4M in April 2026, traded with 38 countries.
Importers of Fresh (Unripened or Uncured) Cheese, Including Whey Cheese and Curd paid $1.2M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 20% on $6.0M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataFresh cheeses — ricotta, cottage cheese, quark, mascarpone, and whey-based varieties — are unripened products with high moisture content and short shelf lives, making cold-chain integrity and rapid customs clearance especially critical for importers. Whey cheese, produced from the liquid byproduct of cheesemaking, occupies a distinct sub-category within this heading and may have different compositional specifications than milk-curd-based fresh cheeses. USDA FSIS admissibility review is required for all entries, and the high moisture content of these products means temperature abuse during transit can create both food-safety and classification complications. Importers should ensure that moisture and fat-content certificates accompany shipments, as these parameters determine whether a product classifies here or as a dairy preparation.
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Whey cheese is produced primarily from whey proteins concentrated and coagulated after the main curd is removed, rather than from whole or skim milk. While it falls within this SITC heading alongside milk-curd fresh cheeses, the raw material difference can be relevant to compositional certificates and, in some cases, to the applicable HTS subheading. Importers should document the production process clearly to support classification.
Fresh cheeses have high moisture content and no protective rind, making them highly perishable. Temperature excursions during ocean or air freight can accelerate spoilage and may cause FSIS inspectors to reject a shipment at the port of entry. Importers should use validated cold-chain protocols, minimize transit time, and confirm that the foreign establishment's FSIS approval covers the specific fresh cheese type being shipped.
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOREA, SOUTH | $7K | $27.0M | +$27.0M |
| MEXICO | $1.7M | $12.0M | +$10.3M |
| CHILE | -- | $5.3M | +$5.3M |
| DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | -- | $4.0M | +$4.0M |
| GUATEMALA | -- | $3.9M | +$3.9M |
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Monthly import values over time