Food & Drink HS Codes

What HS code is cheese? (Chapter 4)

How to classify cheese and dairy for UK customs, and what changes the code.

Cheese and curd are classified in HS heading 0406; other dairy — milk, cream, butter, yoghurt — sits across Chapter 4 with subheadings driven by fat content and processing.

Where it sits in the tariff

Cheese and dairy is generally classified in Chapter 4 — dairy, eggs and honey. The exact 8–10 digit commodity code depends on the detail below — so always confirm against the actual product.

What changes the code

  • Cheese type and processing (fresh, grated, processed, blue-veined) split heading 0406.
  • Milk and cream are classified by fat content and whether concentrated/sweetened (0401–0402).
  • Butter and dairy spreads sit in 0405.
  • Dairy is sensitive to thresholds (milk-fat percentages) that move the code and the duty.

Typical Cheese And Dairy HS codes

ProductTypical HS headingIndicative UK duty
Cheese (most types)0406 90Varies (UKGT)
Fresh cheese / curd0406 10Varies
Processed cheese0406 30Varies
Butter0405 10Varies

Headings and duty rates are indicative only and change — always confirm the full 10-digit commodity code and current rate in the UK Trade Tariff or with TTVerified.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Most cheese is in heading 0406; the subheading depends on type and processing.

Milk-fat and composition thresholds can move products between subheadings and change the duty.