Dairy Import Licensing Program
Import licensing is one of the tools USDA uses to administer the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system for U.S. imports of dairy products. For dairy products subject to TRQs, importers are generally required to obtain a license from FAS to take advantage of low-tier tariff rate. Importers must apply for a license annually between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15.
Under the TRQs, the low-tier rate applies to imports up to a specified quantity. A high-tier rate applies to any imports in excess of that amount. No license is required to import products at the high-tier rate, to import products for an agency of the U.S. government, or to import products for personal use, as long as net weight does not exceed 5 kilograms (11 pounds) in any one shipment.
TRQs replaced Section 22 import quotas for dairy products on Jan. 1, 1995, as a result of the Uruguay Round Agreement. TRQ rates and quantities vary by product.
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Globalization 2023
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| Date | Country | Commodity | Note | Percent Globalized |
| Apr-23 | Iceland | Swiss or Emmenthaler Cheese with Eye Formation | 25 | 100 |
| Apr-23 | Iceland | Cheese and Substitutes for Cheese | 16 | 100 |
| Apr-23 | Costa Rica | Cheese and Substitutes for Cheese | 16 | 100 |
| Apr-23 | New Zealand | Cheese and Substitutes for Cheese | 16 | 100 |
| Apr-23 | New Zealand | Cheddar Cheese | 18 | 100 |
| May-23 | Chile | Cheddar Cheese | 18 | 100 |
| May-23 | Chile | Blue Mold Cheese | 17 | 100 |
| May-23 | Australia | American Type Cheese | 19 | 100 |
| May-23 | Australia | Cheese and Substitutes for Cheese | 16 | 100 |
| May-23 | Australia | Swiss or Emmenthaler Cheese with Eye Formation | 25 | 100 |
| Jul-23 | Uruguay | Italian Type Cheese | 21 | 64 |
| Aug-23 | Israel | Cheese and Substitutes for Cheese | 16 | 100 |
| Aug-23 | Israel | Lowfat Cheese | 23 | 100 |
| Aug-23 | Argentina | Swiss or Emmenthaler Cheese with Eye Formation | 25 | 100 |
| Aug-23 | Argentina | Cheese and Substitutes for Cheese | 16 | 100 |
| Aug-23 | Argentina | Edam and Gouda Cheese | 20 | 100 |
| Aug-23 | Norway | Edam and Gouda Cheese | 20 | 100 |
Agricultural Trade License Administration System (ATLAS)
The ATLAS portal allows U.S. dairy importers to manage their licenses and information.