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.

Agricultural Trade License Administration System (ATLAS)

The ATLAS portal allows U.S. dairy importers to manage their licenses and information. 

Learn More

Resources

Federal Register Notices
Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Import Licensing Program
Adjustment of Appendices Under the Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Import Licensing Regulation
Final Rule Amending Regulations for Dairy TRQ Import Licensing Program
Regulations
7 CFR Part 6 - Import Quotas and Fees
Listing of Dairy License Recipients Under Regulation 1 (as of March 31, 2025)
Program Notices
Assessment of Fees for Dairy Import Licenses for the 2025 Tariff-Rate Import Quota Year
Spring 2024 - Dairy Import Licensing Webinar Presentation
Changes to EU-27 Historical Licenses under TRQs in Additional U.S. Notes 6, 16, 17, and 18 in Chapter 4 of the HTSUS, Effective with the 2022 TRQ Year

Data and Analysis

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Attaché Report (GAIN)

Indonesia: First US Agricultural Trade Delegation to Timor-Leste Discovers Small but Lucrative Hidden Gem Market

On May 8-9, 2025, FAS Jakarta and U.S. Embassy Dili led the first agricultural trade delegation of U.S. industry groups in Timor-Leste. The delegation met with senior government officials, importers, and private industry to explore opportunities for U.S. commodities.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

New Zealand: Dairy and Products Semi-annual

New Zealand fluid milk production is estimated at 21.7 million metric tons (MMT) for the 2025 market year (MY). This is slightly above the previous 5-year average of 21.6 MMT and a slight increase compared to MY 2024.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

Australia: Dairy and Products Semi-annual

Australia’s milk production in 2025 is estimated to decline to 8.6 million metric tons (MMT), following a significant 2.3 percent increase in 2024. The growth experienced in 2024 has stalled, primarily due to very dry conditions across southwest Victoria and South Australia.

News and Features

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News Release

USDA Announces Changes to Dairy Import Licensing Program

Contact: Abdelsalam El-Farra, FAS Office of Trade Programs, (202) 720–9439 WASHINGTON, July 27, 2015—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced changes to the Dairy Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing Program, effective Sept. 1, 2015...
News Release

USDA Invites Public Comment on Proposed Changes to Dairy Import Licensing Program

Contact: Abdelsalam El-Farra, (202) 720–9439 WASHINGTON, Dec.23, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a public comment period on proposed changes to the Dairy Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing Program. Import licensing is...
News Release

USDA Seeks Comments on Dairy Import Licensing Program

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2013—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) today announced that it is seeking comments on the Dairy Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing Program. Import licensing is one of the tools USDA uses to...