Sugar
Under Tariff Rate Quotas -
Licensing
Applications and Reporting Procedures
SPECIALTY SUGAR TARIFF RATE
QUOTA (TRQ)
What types of specialty sugar are eligible
under the Tariff-Rate Quota
Specialty sugar is defined in 15 CFR 2011,
and means: brown slab sugar (also known as slab
sugar candy), pearl sugar (also known as perl
sugar, perle sugar, and nibs sugar), vanilla
sugar, rock candy, demerara sugar, dragees for
cooking and baking, fondant (a creamy blend of
sugar and glucose), ti light sugar (99.2% sugar
with the residual comprised of the artificial
sweeteners aspartame and acesulfame K), caster
sugar, golden syrup, ferdiana granella grossa,
golden granulated sugar, muscovado, molasses
sugar, sugar decorations, sugar cubes, and other
sugars, as determined by the United States Trade
Representative, that would be considered
specialty sugar products within the normal
commerce of the United States. Organic sugar is
considered a specialty sugar. In addition,
specialty sugars are sugar, syrups, or molasses
described in subheading 1701.11.10, 1701.12.10,
1701.91.10, 1701.99.10, 1702.90.10, or
2106.90.44 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)
of the United States.
Note however, the specialty sugar TRQ does
not include items classified in HTS tariff line
1701.11.10 (generally termed raw sugars), and is
limited to those sugars whose content of sugar
by weight, in the dry state, corresponds to a
polarimeter reading of 99.5 degrees or more.
Fiscal Year 2009 Specialty Sugar TRQ
On September 9, 2008, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) established the Fiscal Year
(FY) 2009 specialty sugar TRQ at 81,825 short
tons - ST - (74,230 metric tons - MT); a 10,000
ST (9,071 MT) increase from the previous year.
To view the September 9, 2008 press release,
please visit the following link:
USDA Announces Fiscal Year 2009 Sugar Program (09/09/08)
USDA will administer the FY 2009 specialty
sugar TRQ in five tranches. Because this is a
first-come, first-served TRQ, tranches are
needed to allow for orderly marketing throughout
the year. The tranches of the FY 2009 specialty
sugar TRQ will open as follows:
Tranche 1 – Opens 10/23/2008 – 1,656 MT
Tranche 2 – Opens 11/10/2008 – 25,682 MT
Tranche 3 – Opens 01/14/2009 – 15,631 MT
Tranche 4 – Opens 05/19/2009 – 15,631 MT
Tranche 5 – Opens 08/24/2009 – 15,631 MT
The second, third, fourth and fifth tranches
will be reserved for organic sugar and other
specialty sugars not currently produced
commercially in the United States or reasonably
available from domestic sources.
Specialty Sugar Certificate
Sugar imported (entered) into U.S. Customs
territory under the specialty sugar TRQ must be
accompanied by a specialty sugar certificate
valid on that entry date. An importer or the
importer's agent must present a specialty sugar
certificate, valid for that tranche, to the
appropriate customs official when the specialty
sugar enters the customs territory of the United
States. Entry of specialty sugar within
the TRQ shall be allowed only in conformity with
the conditions and limitations stated in the
certificate.
Issuance of a certificate does not guarantee
the entry of any specific shipment of specialty
sugar at a zero or nominal rate of duty, but
only permits entry of such sugar if the TRQ is
not already filled.
Importers are encouraged to check the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection website for
updated Quota Book Transmittal (QBT) reports for
information about any special procedures which
may apply on TRQ opening dates:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/qbts/
How to Apply for a Specialty Sugar
Certificate
To apply for a specialty sugar certificate,
fax, email, or courier the following
information:
The name and street address of the
applicant; must be an importer with a US
place of business;
A statement of the anticipated quantity
of specialty sugars to be imported;
The appropriate six digit HTS subheading
number;
A description of the specialty sugar the
importer expects to import during the period
of the certificate, including the
manufacturer's or exporter's usual trade
name or designation. A description of the
traditional use of such specialty sugar, and
the importer's intended use of such
specialty sugar;
Importers of organic sugar are asked to
supply a copy of the certification(s);
Sufficient evidence to permit the
Certifying Authority to make a reasonable
determination that such sugars are specialty
sugars within the definition of specialty
sugars in this subpart;
The name of the anticipated consumer of
the specialty sugars, if known at time of
application; and,
The anticipated date of entry, if known
at time of application.
Applications may be faxed to:
202-720-0876,
or emailed to:
sugars@fas.usda.gov,
or sent
by
courier
to:
Import
and
Trade
Support
Programs
Division
Office
of Trade
Programs,
FAS/USDA
Suite
400,
Stop
1021
1250
Maryland
Ave., SW
Washington,
DC
20024.
For more information on the federal
regulations governing specialty sugar imports
into the United States, please visit the
following link:
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
or call the Import and Trade Support Program
Divisions of FAS at 202-720-2916.
