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  1. Home
  2. Trade
  3. Quotas
  4. A Guide to Import Goods
  5. Commodities Subject to Import Quotas

Commodities Subject to Import Quotas

The Commissioner, CBP, administers quotas on the following commodities:

Absolute Quotas

As per Presidential Proclamation 9740, Absolute quota is in effect for Section 232 articles of steel from Argentina, Brazil and South Korea for Steel products under subheadings 9903.80.05 through 9903.80.58., and  for Aluminum products from Argentina established within Presidential Proclamation 9758 under subheading 9903.85.05 through 9903.85.06.

Tariff-Rate Quotas - Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States

  • Brooms (9603)
  • Whiskbrooms (9603.10.05)
  • Other Brooms (9603.10.40)
  • Ethyl Alcohol (9901.00.50)
  • Milk and Cream (0404.20.20)
  • Olives (Chapter 20)
  • Satsumas (Mandarins) (2008.30.42)
  • Tuna (1604.14.22)
  • Upland Cotton (9903.52)

Worsted Wool Fabric

Presidential Proclamation 7383, as amended by the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004, implemented Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 99, Subchapter II, U.S. Note 15 – Worsted Wool >18.5 Microns (9902.21.11)
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter II, U.S. Note 16 – Worsted Wool ≤ 18.5 Microns (9902.51.15)
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter II, U.S. Note 17 – Worsted Wool ≤ 18.5 Microns (9902.51.16)

Only importers having a license issued by the Department of Commerce or written authorization to use another importer’s license may import worsted wool fabrics under these provisions. See Department of Commerce Interim Final Rule, 66 Federal Register 6459, January 22, 2001.

Cotton Shirting Fabric

Divisions B and C, Title IV, Section 406, of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-432) implemented a tariff-rate quota for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 99, Subchapter II, U.S. Note 19 – Woven Fabrics of Cotton (9902.52.08 through 9902.52.19)

Only importers having a license issued by the Department of Commerce or written authorization to use another importer’s license may import cotton shirting fabrics under these provisions. See Department of Commerce Final Rule, 73 Federal Register 39585, July 10, 2008.

Tariff-Rate Quotas - General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

Presidential Proclamation 6763 implemented the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Uruguay Round Agreements, including tariff-rate quota limits for the following commodities (see HTSUS provisions cited in italics for detailed information):

  • Animal Feed (Chapter 23, Additional U.S. Note 2)
  • Articles Containing Over 10 Percent By Dry Weight of Sugar Described in Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 2 (Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 8)
  • Articles Containing Over 65 Percent By Dry Weight of Sugar Described in Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 2 (Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 7)
  • Beef (Chapter 2, Additional U.S. Note 3)
  • Blended Syrups (Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 9)
  • Canadian Cheddar Cheese (Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 18)
  • Card Strips Made from Cotton (Chapter 52, Additional U.S. Note 9)
  • Chocolate (Chapter 18, Additional U.S. Note 2)
  • Chocolate and Low Fat Chocolate Crumb (Chapter 18, Additional U.S. Note 3)
  • Cocoa Powder (Chapter 18, Additional U.S. Note 1)
  • Cotton [Staple length > 28.575mm but < 34.925mm] (Chapter 52, Additional U.S. Note 7)
  • Cotton [Staple length 34.925mm or more] (Chapter 52, Additional U.S. Note 8)
  • Dairy Products (Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 10)
  • Dried Milk and Dried Cream (Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 9)
  • Dried Milk, Dried Cream, Dried Whey (in excess of 224,981 kilograms) (Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 12)
  • Fibers of Cotton (Chapter 52, Additional U.S. Note 10)
  • Harsh or Rough Cotton (Chapter 52, Additional U.S. Note 6)
  • Ice Cream (Chapter 21, Additional U.S. Note 5)
  • Infant Formula (Chapter 19, Additional U.S. Note 2)
  • Milk and Cream (Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 5)
  • Milk and Cream (Condensed or Evaporated) (Chapter 4, Additional U.S. Note 11)
  • Mixed Condiments and Mixed Seasonings (Chapter 21, Additional U.S. Note 4)
  • Mixes and Doughs (Chapter 19, Additional U.S. Note 3)
  • Peanut Butter and Paste (Chapter 20, Additional U.S. Note 5)
  • Peanuts (Chapter 12, Additional U.S. Note 2)
  • Raw Cotton [Staple length < 28.575mm] (Chapter 52, Additional U.S. Note 5)
  • Sugars (Raw, Refined, Specialty, Including Sugar Cane) (Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 5)
  • Tobacco (Chapter 24, Additional U.S. Note 5)

Quotas Established by Special Legislation or Negotiations

African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)

Presidential Proclamation 7350 implemented the African Growth and Opportunity Act establishing Tariff Preference Levels for the following qualifying products from designated countries.

  • Chapter 98, Subchapter XIX, U.S. Note 2 – Apparel
  • Chapter 98, Subchapter XIX, U.S. Note 2 – Apparel From Lesser Developed Countries

Imports of textile and apparel articles under these provisions require an AGOA visa in order to claim preferential treatment.

U.S. Australia Free Trade Agreement

Presidential Proclamation 7857 implemented the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement, establishing tariff-rate quotas for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 3 – Beef
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 4 – Creams/Ice Cream
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 5 – Butter
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 6 – Non Fat Dried Milk
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 7 – Other Milk Powders
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 8 – Other Dairy Products
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 9 – Condensed Milk
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 10 – Other Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 11 – European-Type Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 12 – Cheddar Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 13 – American Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 14 – Goya Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 15 – Swiss-Type Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 16 – Avocados
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 17 – Avocados
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 18 – Peanuts
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 19 – Tobacco
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIII, U.S. Note 20 – Cotton

Imports under U.S. Notes 3 through 15 require an Export Certificate issued by the Government of Australia in order to claim preferential treatment.

U.S. Bahrain Free Trade Agreement

Presidential Proclamation 8039 implemented the U.S. Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, establishing tariff-rate quotas and a Tariff Preference Level for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 3 – Beef
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 4 – Liquid Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 5 – Butter
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 6 – Milk Powder
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 7 – Other Dairy Products
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 8 – Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 9 – Peanuts
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 10 – Sugar
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 11 – Tobacco
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 12 – Cotton
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 13 – Cotton or Man-made Fiber Fabric, Apparel or Made-up Goods

Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA)

Presidential Proclamation 7351 implemented the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, establishing Tariff Preference Levels for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 98, Subchapter XX, U.S. Note 3 – Knit Apparel
  • Chapter 98, Subchapter XX, U.S. Note 4 – T-Shirts

U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)

The following countries are participants in the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Presidential Proclamations have implemented benefits and established tariff-rate quotas for El Salvador (effective 03/01/2006; Presidential Proclamation 7987), Honduras, and Nicaragua (effective 04/01/2006; Presidential Proclamation 7996), Guatemala (effective 07/01/2006: Presidential Proclamation 8034), Dominican Republic (effective 03/01/2007; Presidential Proclamation 8111), and Costa Rica (effective 01/01/2009; Presidential Proclamation 8331). For additional information, see HTSUS General Note 29; Chapter 99, Subchapter XV; and Chapter 98, Subchapter XXII.

Tariff-rate quotas and Tariff Preference Levels were established for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 98, Subchapter XXII, U.S. Note 24 – Sugar/Sugar Containing Products
  • Chapter 98, Subchapter XXII, U.S. Note 25 – Sugar/Sugar Containing Products
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 5 – Fresh Milk
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 6 – Butter
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 7 – Dried Milk, Cream
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 8 – Other Dairy Products
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 9 – Other Dairy Products
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 10 – Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 11 – Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 12 – Peanuts
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 13 – Peanut Butter
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 14 – Ice Cream
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 15 – Cotton or Man-made Fiber Apparel from Nicaragua with a sublimit for certain men’s wool coats (suit-type jackets)
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 16 – Woven Wool Tailored Apparel from Costa Rica
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 17 – Mastectomy Swimsuits from Costa Rica
  • Chapter 98, Subchapter XXII, U.S. Note 21 – Woven Apparel Cut and Assembled in a CAFTA Party Using Materials from Mexico (Cumulation), with Sublimits for:
    1. Non-Denim Cotton and Man-made Fiber Skirts and Trousers
    2. Denim Garments
    3. Wool Apparel

Effective July 1, 2006 imports of textiles under Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 15 require a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the government of Nicaragua in order to claim preferential treatment.

U.S. Chile Free Trade Agreement

Presidential Proclamation 7746 implemented the U.S. Chile Free Trade Agreement, establishing tariff-rate quotas and Trade Preference Levels for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 4 – Chickens/Turkeys
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 5 – Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 6 – Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 7 – Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 8 – Concentrated/Condensed Milk
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 9 – Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 10 – Avocados
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 11 – Avocados
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 12 – Sugar
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 14 – Tobacco
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 17 – Hotel/Restaurant Table/Kitchenware
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 22 – Fabric
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 23 – Wearing Apparel

Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership Act

Presidential Proclamation 8114, as modified by Presidential Proclamation 8296, implemented the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership Act, establishing Trade Preference Levels for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 98, Subchapter XX, U.S. Note 6 – Apparel, as appropriate
    1. Knit
    2. Woven
    3. Value Added (Aggregated or Entry-by-Entry)

U.S. Israel Agreement on Trade in Agricultural Products

Presidential Proclamation 8334 extended the U.S.-Israel Agreement on Trade in Agricultural Products, establishing tariff-rate quotas for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 99, Subchapter VIII, U.S. Note 3 – Butter, Fresh or Sour Cream
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter VIII, U.S. Note 4 – Dried Milk
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter VIII, U.S. Note 5 – Cheese and Substitutes for Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter VIII, U.S. Note 6 – Peanuts
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter VIII, U.S. Note 7 – Ice Cream

U.S. Morocco Free Trade Agreement

Presidential Proclamation 7971 implemented the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement, establishing tariff-rate quotas and Tariff Preference Levels for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 3 – Beef
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 4 – Liquid Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 5 – Butter
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 6 – Milk Powder
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 7 – Other Dairy Products
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 8 – Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 9 – Dried Onions
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 10 – Dried Garlic
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 11 – Peanuts
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 12 – Sugar
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 13 – Preserved Tomato Products, Paste, Puree
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 14 – Tomato Sauces
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 15 – Tobacco
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 16 – Cotton
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Notes 17 through 61 – Wearing Apparel
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 64 – Textiles and Wearing Apparel
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XII, U.S. Note 65 – Yarn/Fabric Containing Cotton Fibers From Designated Sub-Saharan Countries

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Presidential Proclamation 6411 implemented the North American Free Trade Agreement, establishing Tariff Preference Levels for the following qualifying products from Canada or Mexico:

  • Cotton or Man Made Fiber Apparel, Wool Apparel, Cotton or Man Made Fiber Fabrics and Made Ups, and Cotton or Man Made Fiber Yarns (HTSUS Section XI Additional U.S. Notes 3-5).

A Certificate of Eligibility issued by the governments of Canada or Mexico is required in order to claim preferential treatment.

U.S. Oman Free Trade Agreement

Presidential Proclamation 8332 implemented the U.S. Oman Free Trade Agreement, establishing tariff-rate quotas and a Trade Preference Level for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVI, U.S. Note 3 – Beef
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVI, U.S. Note 4 – Liquid Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVI, U.S. Note 5 – Butter
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVI, U.S. Note 6 – Milk Powder
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVI, U.S. Note 7 – Other Dairy Products
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVI, U.S. Note 8 – Cheese
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVI, U.S. Note 9 – Peanuts
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVI, U.S. Note 10 – Sugar
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVI, U.S. Note 11 – Tobacco
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVI, U.S. Note 12 – Cotton
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVI, U.S. Note 13 – Cotton or Man-made Fiber Apparel

U.S. Peru Trade Promotion Agreement

Presidential Proclamation 8341 implemented the U.S. Peru Free Trade Agreement, establishing tariff-rate quotas for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 98 (9822.06.15) – Specialty Sugar
  • Chapter 98, Subchapter XXII, U.S. Note 28 – Sugar
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVII, U.S. Note 3 – Condensed Milk
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVII, U.S. Note 4 – Dairy Products
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVII, U.S. Note 5 – Cheese

U.S. Panama Free Trade Agreement

Presidential Proclamation 8894 implemented the U.S. Panama Free Trade Agreement, establishing tariff-rate quotas for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 98,(9822.09.17) U.S. Note 35 Sugar
  • Chapter 98,(9822.09.18) U.S. Note 36 Sugar Raw
  • Chapter 98,(9822.09.20) U.S. Note 37 Sugar Specialty
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIX, U.S. Note 3 Beef
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIX, U.S. Note 4 (a) Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIX, U.S. Note 4 (b) Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIX, U.S. Note 5 (a) Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIX, U.S. Note 5 (b) Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIX, U.S. Note 6 (a) Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIX, U.S. Note 6 (b) Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIX, U.S. Note 7 (a) Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XIX, U.S. Note 4 (b) Dairy

U.S. Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement

Presidential Proclamation 8818 implemented the U.S. Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, establishing tariff-rate quotas for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 98, (9822.08.01) U.S. Note 32 Sugar
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVIII, U.S. Note 3(a) Beef
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVIII, U.S. Note 3(b) Beef
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVIII, U.S. Note 4 Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVIII, U.S. Note 5 Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVIII, U.S. Note 6 Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVIII, U.S. Note 7 Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVIII, U.S. Note 8 Ice Cream
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XVIII, U.S. Note 9 Tobacco

U.S. Korea Free Trade Agreement

Presidential Proclamation 8783 implemented the U.S. Korea Free Trade Agreement, establishing tariff-rate quotas for the following qualifying products:

  • Chapter 98, (9822.07.10) Subchapter XXII U.S. Note 31 Tobacco
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XX, U.S. Note 3 Dairy
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XX, (9920.99.00) Textiles
  • Chapter 99, Subchapter XX, (9920.95.00) Textiles
Last Modified: May 25, 2023