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 2026 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)

India: Dairy and Products Annual

India fluid milk production forecast for calendar year (CY) 2026 is up two percent over 2025. Largely consumed domestically, consumption is forecasted at 221.37 MMT in 2026. For butter, both production and consumption in 2026 are anticipated to increase by three percent over 2025.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

China: National Food Safety Standard for Modified Milk Notified

On August 29, 2025, China notified a National Food Safety Standard for Modified Milk to the WTO under G/SPS/N/CHN/1287/Add.1. This national food safety standard includes a definition, requirements for raw materials, chemical and physical indicators, contaminant limits, and labeling for modified milk products.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

South Korea: Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Market Brief

The Republic of Korea’s (ROK) ice cream and frozen yogurt imports steadily grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 percent from 2020 to 2024.

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...