Milk and cream — HTS 0401
Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening matter
Chapter 04 › Heading 0401
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 0401 is a four-digit product category for milk and cream that are neither concentrated nor made with added sugar or other sweetening matter. It groups products based mainly on their basic form and composition, such as whether they are milk or cream and the relevant fat-content range. The heading is not usually the final code used for an import entry.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS subheading, start with the product’s objective facts and follow the more detailed breakouts under heading 0401. These may distinguish product type, fat content, and other stated characteristics. Confirm that the item does not belong in a different heading because it is concentrated, sweetened, specially prepared, or otherwise processed. Classification can depend on technical product details, so a customs broker or binding ruling may be appropriate when the facts are unclear.
What to check
- Verify that the product is milk or cream and is neither concentrated nor sweetened with sugar or another sweetener.
- Record the product’s exact form, composition, and milk-fat content from the ingredient specification, certificate of analysis, or product label.
- Read every subordinate tariff provision under heading 0401; do not stop at the four-digit heading when selecting an 8-digit code.
- Check whether processing, packaging, or added ingredients could move the product to another HTSUS heading.
- Confirm the classification against current USITC HTSUS text and obtain broker or Customs guidance if product facts fit more than one provision.
HTS heading 0401 summary
Milk and cream is a 4-digit product category containing 1 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0401.20 | Of a fat content, by weight, exceeding 1 percent but not exceeding 6 percent |
| 0401.40 | Of a fat content, by weight, exceeding 6 percent but not exceeding 10 percent |
| 0401.50 | Of a fat content, by weight, exceeding 10 percent |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0401.10.00.00 👉 | Of a fat content, by weight, not exceeding 1 percent | 0.34¢/liter | Free | 0.5¢/liter |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 0401?
Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening matter. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.