What's the Tariff on Cheese (Imported)?
European cheeses from France, Italy, Switzerland.
Current Tariff Rate
20%
Pre-2025 Rate
6%
Rate Increase
+14pp
Price Impact
+20%
+$4.6
Real-World Price Impact
Before Tariffs
$22.99
1 lb Parmigiano
After Tariffs
$27.59
1 lb Parmigiano
That's $4.6 more per unit — a 20% price increase paid by the American buyer.
Note: Price estimates assume full tariff pass-through to consumers. Actual retail prices may vary — manufacturers may absorb some costs, shift production, or adjust margins.
The Story Behind This Tariff
European cheese faces a 20% tariff that strikes at the heart of America's specialty food culture. Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy, Gruyère from Switzerland, Brie from France — these are geographic indications that by definition cannot be produced elsewhere. The tariff follows the painful precedent of 2019 WTO tariffs that devastated European cheese imports by 70%. American artisan cheesemakers have improved dramatically, but PDO-protected European cheeses have no domestic equivalent. The tariff particularly hurts Italian exporters: Parmigiano-Reggiano alone represents a $500M annual US market. Retailers face a dilemma — absorb the cost on specialty items that drive foot traffic, or pass it through and watch sales drop. The tariff also affects food service: Italian restaurants depend on authentic imported Parmigiano, and the price increase ripples through menus nationwide. Wisconsin and Vermont cheesemakers may gain market share, but the premium European segment is largely irreplaceable.
📦 Supply Chain
Primary Origin
Italy
Made in USA
72%
Import Volume
$2.4B
Alternatives
Wisconsin, Vermont artisan cheese (imperfect substitute)
📅 Tariff Timeline
2019
WTO Airbus dispute — 25% tariff on EU cheeses
25%2021
US-EU tariff truce suspends cheese duties
6%2025
IEEPA tariff on EU agricultural products
20%👥 Consumer Impact
Households Affected
85M
Annual Cost Per Household
$32
💡 Did You Know?
- •During the 2019 tariffs, US imports of European cheese dropped 70% — many specialty cheese shops closed permanently
- •Parmigiano-Reggiano must age a minimum of 12 months, meaning today's tariffed wheels were made before the policy existed
- •The US eats 40 pounds of cheese per person per year — more than France, the country most associated with cheese
Tariff Details
- HTS Code
- 0406.90
- Current Rate
- 20%
- Pre-2025 Rate
- 6%
- Tariff Type
- IEEPA
Legal Authority
IEEPA Executive Order (April 2, 2025)
Effective: April 2, 2025
"Liberation Day" — broad tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
The tariff on Cheese (Imported) is paid by the American importer at the port of entry and passed through to consumers as higher retail prices. The foreign manufacturer does not pay the tariff.
Who Actually Pays This Tariff?
Despite claims that tariffs are paid by foreign countries, the 20% tariff on Cheese (Imported) is paid by American importers — US companies that purchase these goods from abroad. The cost is then passed to American consumers through higher retail prices.
- ✓ The foreign seller receives the same price as before
- ✓ The US importer pays 20% of the customs value to CBP
- ✓ The retailer marks up the higher landed cost
- ✓ You pay more at the register: $22.99 → $27.59
Related Products in Food & Beverage
Coffee (Roasted)
10%
1 lb premium coffee: $14.99 → $16.49
Olive Oil
20%
1L extra virgin olive oil: $12.99 → $15.59
Wine (Imported)
20%
Bottle of French wine: $18 → $21.6
Beer (Imported)
10%
Six-pack imported beer: $12.99 → $14.29
Chocolate
15%
Premium chocolate bar: $5.99 → $6.89
Avocados
25%
Bag of 5 avocados: $4.99 → $6.24
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