US import duty on snacks & sweets
Food is where duty hides: filled chocolate runs 5.6%, sugar confectionery up to 10.4%, while sweet biscuits and crispbread enter Free. Rates swing by recipe — and food imports also answer to FDA labeling rules, not just CBP.
Snacks duty rates at a glance
| Item | HTS code | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| Filled chocolate bar | 1806.32.30 | 4.3–5.6% |
| Hard candy / gummies | 1704.90 | 5.6–10.4% |
| Sweet biscuits / cookies | 1905.31.00 | Free |
| Chewing gum | 1704.10.00 | 4% |
Key facts
- Filled chocolate (HTS 1806.32): 5.6% general
- Sugar confectionery & candy (HTS 1704): 4–10.4%
- Sweet biscuits, waffles, gingerbread (HTS 1905.31/32/20): Free
- Foods face FDA import rules alongside customs duty
Don't forget the fees
- MPF processing fee: from $2.69 (informal entry)
- Carrier brokerage: USPS flat $9.35; UPS/FedEx/DHL vary
- Country-of-origin surcharges stack on top of MFN rates
Snacks duty by origin country
FAQs
Why do chocolate and candy have different rates?
The HTS splits by cocoa content and preparation. Filled chocolate sits at 4.3–5.6%, other chocolate preparations 3.5–6%, and sugar confectionery without cocoa ranges up to 10.4%. The calculator uses a representative mid-range rate.
Can I ship homemade food to the US?
Generally no for meat, egg, or dairy-containing items — those face USDA/FDA restrictions that can mean refusal at the border, regardless of duty. Commercially packaged shelf-stable snacks clear far more predictably.
Why was I charged on duty-free biscuits?
The tariff line reads zero, but MPF and your carrier's brokerage fee still apply — and mail shipments can carry the $7.39 dutiable mail fee when processing applies.