The tariff classification of Yogourmet Kefir ferment from Canada
Issued October 1, 1999 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Tariff classification
HTS codes: 3002.90.1000
Headings: 3002
Product description
We regret the delay in responding. The subject product, Yogourmet Kefir, is a freeze-dried starter culture (ferment) principally intended for use as a starter for producing a fermented milk product. It consists of a lyophilized mixture of microorganisms, made up of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts (2% by weight), and skim milk powder (98% by weight). According to the manufacturer’s composition sheet, the lactic acid bacteria comprise more than 99% of the microorganism component. The product is obtained by inoculating a skim milk-based culture broth with kefir grains and the microorganisms described above, and then, after cessation of fermentation, freeze-drying the resulting product (i.e., the imported product) to preserve bacterial activity.
CBP rationale
The applicable subheading for the subject product will be 3002.90.1000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for "[H]uman blood; … ; cultures of microorganisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products: Other: Ferments.
Full text
NY E82263 October 1, 1999 CLA-2-30:RR:NC:2:238 E82263 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 3002.90.1000 Mr. Byron Johnson Mc Clary, Swift & Company P.O. Box 370 Blaine, WA 98231 RE: The tariff classification of Yogourmet Kefir ferment from Canada Dear Mr. Johnson: In your letter dated July 2, 1999, on behalf of your client, Omega Nutrition U.S.A. Inc., you requested a tariff classification ruling. We regret the delay in responding. The subject product, Yogourmet Kefir, is a freeze-dried starter culture (ferment) principally intended for use as a starter for producing a fermented milk product. It consists of a lyophilized mixture of microorganisms, made up of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts (2% by weight), and skim milk powder (98% by weight). According to the manufacturer’s composition sheet, the lactic acid bacteria comprise more than 99% of the microorganism component. The product is obtained by inoculating a skim milk-based culture broth with kefir grains and the microorganisms described above, and then, after cessation of fermentation, freeze-drying the resulting product (i.e., the imported product) to preserve bacterial activity. You state in your letter that the product will be imported put up in 2 x 5 g aluminum envelopes (packets). The applicable subheading for the subject product will be 3002.90.1000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for "[H]uman blood; … ; cultures of microorganisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products: Other: Ferments." The general rate of duty will be free. This merchandise may be subject to the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which is administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You may contact them at 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857, telephone number 301-443-1544. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177). A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Harvey Kuperstein at 212-637-7068. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division
More rulings on the same tariff codes
The tariff classification of the Teldon Kefir Maker from Canada
The tariff classification of "Silage Inoculant" from Canada
The tariff classification of a dough and sourdough starter culture, packaged in 500g tins, from Germany
The tariff classification of Lyo-San Bifidus capsules andpowder (Bifidobacterium longum) packaged for retail sale fromCanada
Searching CBP rulings the smart way
TariffLens semantically searches all 200,000+ CBP rulings, surfaces the ones that actually match your product, and builds defensible classifications backed by ruling citations.
Book a demo →