FOOD AGRICULTURAL

Dairy Products

MEDIUM RISK

VERIFIED · 2026-05-09REGULATION TIGHTENINGReport a correction

11allowed

101restricted

3prohibited

115 rules across 50 countries

ALSO KNOWN AScheesemilkyogurtbuttercreampowdered milk

Can I take Dairy Products across a border? Yes in many places, with conditions. Of the 115 country-rules we've indexed for Dairy Products, 11 are allowed (often with limits), 101 are restricted (permit, declaration, or quantity cap), and 3 are prohibited outright. Customs rules depend on the destination, the purpose (travelling, posting, importing personally, or importing commercially), and the quantity.

Dairy products include milk in liquid and powdered form, cheese, butter, yogurt, and cream. As animal-derived products, they are subject to agricultural import controls. Cheese in particular is a popular item carried by travelers, especially aged and specialty varieties from France, Italy, and other producing regions. Dairy products pose biosecurity risks related to foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, and other animal diseases that can be transmitted through milk-derived products. Countries that are free of these diseases, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, restrict dairy imports to prevent their introduction. The specific treatment of dairy at international borders varies considerably based on the product type (liquid vs. solid, raw vs. pasteurized, fresh vs. aged) and the origin country's disease status as recognized by the destination country's agricultural authority. Hard, aged cheeses such as Parmesan or aged Cheddar that are made from pasteurized milk and have very low water activity face somewhat lower biosecurity risk, but this does not mean they are permitted into the US or Australia without question — they may still be seized. Soft cheeses, fresh cheeses, yogurt, and liquid milk are virtually always prohibited for import without agricultural permits. Baby formula (powdered infant formula) sits in its own category and is covered separately due to specific purchase limits in several countries. Commercial dairy importers require formal agricultural health certificates, veterinary inspection clearances, and compliance with the destination country's labeling and food safety standards.

WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?

Carry dairy products in my luggage

15 country rules for personal travel

Send dairy products by post

50 country rules for international parcels

Import dairy products commercially

50 country rules for imports

Common mistakes with Dairy Products

Assuming the rules at the origin apply at the destination — they don't. The destination customs authority is the binding rule.
Travelling and posting are treated differently: an item you can carry may be prohibited by post (and vice versa).
Personal vs commercial intent: above a quantity threshold, customs may treat your shipment as commercial regardless of intent.
Undervaluing on the customs declaration to avoid duty — treated as fraud in most jurisdictions.
Vague item descriptions on CN22/CN23 — biggest single cause of postal customs holds.
Bringing meat or dairy from outside an approved zone — usually blocked on biosecurity grounds regardless of quantity.
Missing required certificates (phytosanitary, veterinary, CITES, prescription, product compliance).

Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting. Not legal advice.

HS codes

0401 — Milk and cream, not concentrated
0406 — Cheese and curd
0402 — Milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar

Regulatory trend

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/prohibited-and-restricted-items — USDA/CBP tightened dairy import rules post-HPAI 2022-2024

General notes

Dairy products are restricted in most countries outside of commercially produced items meeting specific health certifications. Australia and New Zealand prohibit most dairy products. The US restricts cheeses made from raw or unpasteurized milk. Many countries also restrict powdered milk imports due to historical food safety incidents. Infant formula and powdered baby milk face specific restrictions in several countries including China, which limits quantities. Commercially packaged and sealed products generally receive more favorable treatment than fresh or artisan products. Travelers should declare all dairy products regardless of processing method.

Status by country (traveling)

A · allowedR · restrictedP · prohibited

EUROPE

United KingdomA

ASIA PACIFIC

SingaporeA PhilippinesA South KoreaA JapanR MalaysiaA VietnamA ThailandA ChinaA IndonesiaA IndiaA

AMERICAS

United StatesR CanadaA

OCEANIA

AustraliaP New ZealandP

Also documented for posting & importing

Rules by country and purpose

Carrying in personal luggage

Dairy Products

🇦🇺 Australia

PROHIBITED

Most dairy prohibited under biosecurity laws

traveling

Dairy Products

🇳🇿 New Zealand

PROHIBITED

Prohibited under MPI biosecurity rules

traveling

Dairy Products

🇺🇸 United States

Common mistakes with Dairy Products

HS codes

Regulatory trend

General notes

Status by country (traveling)

Also documented for posting & importing

Rules by country and purpose

Carrying in personal luggage

Sending by post

Personal importing

Related guides

Related items