Food Products from Italy — Tariff Rates & HTS Codes (2026)

USTradeStack

Effective Duty Rate

Standard MFN rates; wine/olive oil at low rates

Estimate — verify by HTS code

Compliance Risk

Low

Relative to other import corridors

Regulatory Agencies

FDA, USDA/FSIS, USDA/APHIS, EPA

Primary oversight bodies

OVERVIEW

Importing Food Products, Beverages & Agricultural Goods from Italy

Importing food products from Italy into the United States carries low compliance risk, with an effective duty rate of Standard MFN rates; wine/olive oil at low rates. A Section 232 Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangement applies: steel and aluminum products within quota limits may enter at reduced or zero Section 232 duty, while above-quota imports face the full 25% surcharge.

Food Products imported from Italy to the United States is subject to CBP entry requirements, applicable HTS-based duty rates, and agency compliance clearances. This guide covers the complete import process for 2026.

⚠ Key Trade Intelligence — Italy Origin

Italy exports olive oil, wine, pasta, cheese, cured meats, and premium foods. MFN rates are generally moderate. Italian food products have strong brand recognition in the US market. FSIS equivalence agreement covers Italian meat exports.

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SAMPLE LANDED COST — $50,000 SHIPMENT

Estimated Landed Cost: Food Products from Italy

Based on a representative $50,000 CIF shipment value. Actual costs vary by HTS code, entry type, and port of entry.

Cost Component	Amount	Notes
Cargo Value (CIF)	$50,000.00	Reference shipment value
MFN Base Duty (5.0%)	$2,500.00	MFN column, Schedule B
Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%)	$173.20	Min $31.67 / max $614.35
Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%)	$62.50	Ocean freight only
Total Duties & Fees	$2,735.70	Effective rate: 5.5%
Estimated Landed Cost	$52,735.70	Cargo + all US duties/fees

⚠ Section 232 tariffs (25% steel / 10% aluminum) may apply to food products sub-categories with significant steel or aluminum content. Not included above — verify by specific HTS code.

Excludes freight, insurance, broker fees, warehousing, and AD/CVD duties. Use the Duty Calculator for a precise estimate on your specific shipment.

APPLICABLE HTS CODES

HTS Codes for Food Products Imports

The following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes typically apply to food products imports. Exact classification depends on the specific product — misclassification is one of the most common CBP compliance errors.

HTS Code	Product Description	MFN Base Duty Rate
0901	Coffee (green, roasted, decaffeinated)	0% MFN (green); 0% (instant)
1806	Chocolate & Cocoa Preparations	0%–8.5% MFN
2009	Fruit Juices & Vegetable Juices	0%–29.8¢/liter MFN
1604–1605	Prepared Fish, Crustaceans & Shellfish	0%–20% MFN
2106	Food Preparations Not Elsewhere Specified (sauces, supplements)	0%–8.5% MFN

MFN rates reflect base tariff. Additional duties (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD) may apply on top of MFN rates. Use the AI classifier to get the exact 10-digit HTS code and all applicable rates for your specific product.

DUTY STACK — ITALY ORIGIN

Total Tariff Cost for Italy-Origin Food Products

Duty Layer	Rate / Status	Applies To
MFN Base Rate	Varies by HTS code	All Italy-origin goods (baseline)
Section 301	Not applicable	Italy-origin goods are not subject to Section 301
Section 232 TRQ	0% within quota; 25%/10% above	Steel/aluminum within agreed quota volumes

Precise Duty Calculation

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Our calculator handles all duty layers — MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 + FTA rates — for any HTS code from any origin country.

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COMPLIANCE — FDA / USDA/FSIS / USDA/APHIS / EPA

US Compliance Requirements for Food Products Imports

Regardless of origin country, food products imports must satisfy the following US regulatory requirements before or at the time of CBP entry filing:

FDA Prior Notice of imported food — must be submitted 15 days (ocean) or 4 hours (air) before arrival; Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) under FSMA required for all food importers
USDA/FSIS import inspection for meat, poultry, and egg products — only from countries with FSIS-equivalent inspection systems; products must bear FSIS mark of inspection
USDA/APHIS phytosanitary requirements for fresh fruits, vegetables, and plant-based products — phytosanitary certificate from origin country required
EPA pesticide residue tolerance limits (40 CFR Part 180) apply to all imported food products — FDA monitors and enforces at the border

Compliance Check Tool

Run an automated compliance check for your food products import — identifies all applicable agency requirements, flagging issues before your shipment departs Italy.

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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Documentation Checklist for Food Products from Italy

Prepare all documents before the shipment departs Italy. Missing or incorrect documents are the #1 cause of CBP holds and customs delays.

1

Commercial Invoice with product name, ingredients list, and country of origin

2

Packing List with batch/lot numbers and production dates

3

Bill of Lading (temperature-controlled documentation for perishables)

4

FDA Prior Notice Confirmation

5

Phytosanitary Certificate (for plant-based products) or FSIS Import Permit (for meat/poultry)

6

Country of Origin Certificate and Food Facility Registration

Document Generator

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ESTIMATED TIMELINE

Import Timeline — Food Products from Italy

1–5 days (air freight for perishables); 15–30 days (ocean for shelf-stable products)

Supplier Preparation

Allow 1–2 weeks for production documentation, certificates, and packing lists

Transit Time

10–16 days ocean from Europe

CBP Clearance

1–3 days standard; 5–15 days if examination or AD/CVD review required

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs — Importing Food Products from Italy

What is the effective US tariff rate for importing food products from Italy?

The effective US tariff rate for food products from Italy is: Standard MFN rates; wine/olive oil at low rates. Italy exports olive oil, wine, pasta, cheese, cured meats, and premium foods. MFN rates are generally moderate. Italian food products have strong brand recognition in the US market. FSIS equivalence agreement covers Italian meat exports.

What compliance agencies regulate food products imports from Italy?

Food Products imports require compliance with: FDA, USDA/FSIS, USDA/APHIS, EPA. Specific requirements include: FDA Prior Notice of imported food — must be submitted 15 days (ocean) or 4 hours (air) before arrival; Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) under FSMA required for all food importers and USDA/FSIS import inspection for meat, poultry, and egg products — only from countries with FSIS-equivalent inspection systems; products must bear FSIS mark of inspection.

What documents are required to import food products from Italy?

Required documents include: Commercial Invoice with product name, ingredients list, and country of origin; Packing List with batch/lot numbers and production dates; Bill of Lading (temperature-controlled documentation for perishables); FDA Prior Notice Confirmation. Additional: Phytosanitary Certificate (for plant-based products) or FSIS Import Permit (for meat/poultry); Country of Origin Certificate and Food Facility Registration. Ensure all documents are prepared before the shipment departs Italy.

How long does customs clearance take for food products from Italy?

Typical timeline: 1–5 days (air freight for perishables); 15–30 days (ocean for shelf-stable products). CBP clearance typically takes 1–3 business days for compliant entries. Complex entries (AD/CVD, formal entry review, or examination) may require 5–15 additional business days.

Are there Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs on food products from Italy?

No Section 301 tariffs apply to Italy-origin goods. Section 232 applies with a TRQ arrangement — steel within quota enters at reduced/zero Section 232; above quota faces 25%.

What FDA Prior Notice requirements apply to all food product imports?

FDA's Prior Notice regulation (21 CFR Part 1, Subpart I) requires advance notice before all food, beverages, dietary supplements, and animal feed shipments arrive at the US port of entry. Prior notice must be submitted between 5 days and 2 hours before arrival (for non-ocean shipments) or between 5 days and 4 hours before arrival (ocean freight). Non-compliance results in FDA refusal of admission and CBP may hold or return the shipment at the importer's expense. Use FDA's PNSI system or a licensed customs broker to file prior notice.

What USDA, FDA, and FSIS regulations govern food imports and how do they interact?

Food imports face dual FDA/USDA jurisdiction depending on product type. FDA governs: fruits, vegetables, seafood, processed foods, dietary supplements, and most food products (95%+ of US food imports). FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA) governs: meat, poultry, and egg products — which require country equivalence determination before export to the US is permitted. USDA AMS oversees organic certification and grading. CBP enforces FDA and USDA requirements at entry — all food imports are subject to examination, sampling, and detention.

How does Section 301 affect food and agricultural product imports from China?

Selected Chinese food and agricultural products are subject to Section 301 tariffs. Notably, some processed food products (condiments, prepared foods, additives) in USTR Lists 3 and 4A face 25% additional duty. However, many primary agricultural commodities were excluded or carry 7.5% List 4A rates. The effective impact depends heavily on the specific HTS code — use USTR's Section 301 lists to determine applicability before sourcing. Note that most tropical agricultural products (coffee, cocoa, spices) from China are not major trade flows, so Section 301 primarily affects processed food categories.

Does Italy (EU) benefit from any preferential trade arrangement with the US?

No comprehensive preferential trade agreement exists between the US and Italy/EU for most goods. TTIP negotiations stalled in 2016 and have not resumed. The US-EU Section 232 TRQ covers Italian steel and aluminum. Italian goods pay standard MFN rates — ranging from 0% for industrial goods to 27.5% for some apparel and 6% for furniture. No Section 301 tariffs apply to EU/Italian origin goods.

What customs valuation rules apply to Italian luxury goods?

CBP applies transaction value as the primary customs valuation method. For Italian luxury goods (Gucci, Versace, Prada, etc.), the declared customs value must include the price paid, royalties and license fees, any assists (tooling, design costs paid by buyer), and proceeds of resale accruing to the seller. CBP actively scrutinizes luxury goods for undervaluation — improperly declared values result in penalties, seizure, and back-duty assessments.

Does CE marking satisfy US regulatory requirements for Italian products?

No. CE marking (EU conformity) is not recognized by US regulators as satisfying US product safety, EMC, or other requirements. CE-marked Italian products must separately meet applicable US standards: UL or ETL listing for electronics, FDA registration for food contact materials and cosmetics, CPSC certification for consumer products. Italian manufacturers typically produce detailed technical documentation that can support US certification — but separate US testing is always required.

TRADE INTELLIGENCE TOOLS

Free Tools for Food Products Importers

Run these tools before your next shipment from Italy — all free, no account required.

🔍 AI HTS Classifier

Get the exact 10-digit HTS code for your food products. Identifies Section 301/232 exposure.

🧮 Landed Cost Calculator

Calculate total duty including MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 for Italy-origin goods.

🛡️ Supplier Screening

Screen your Italy supplier against OFAC, BIS Entity List, and denied parties databases.

✅ Compliance Check

Verify FDA/USDA/FSIS/USDA/APHIS/EPA requirements and identify documentation gaps before shipment.

📊 Trade Research Hub

Deep-dive on tariff policy changes, Federal Register notices, and regulatory updates for Italy.

🔔 Tariff Alerts

Get notified when duty rates or compliance requirements change for your product corridors.

Ready to Calculate Your Exact Import Costs?

Get precise duty calculations, landed cost estimates, and compliance flags for your food products shipment from Italy.

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View full Italy tariff profile → Browse all import guides → Calculate landed cost →

Import duty rates are sourced from the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and USTR Section 301 lists. Rates reflect current published schedules as of 2026-05-16 and are subject to change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs brokerage advice. Verify rates with a licensed customs broker before importing.

How to Import Food Products from Italy to the US