HTS Code 020500: Meat of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen — 2026 US Tariff Rates
Data sourced from USITC 2026 Harmonized Tariff Schedule · Last verified May 31, 2026
Quick Answer
HTS 020500 = Meat of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen
Duty rate: Free · Unit: 02-digit · Column 1: Free
About This HTS Subheading
This 6-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading (020500) covers meat of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen. The table below lists all 8-digit and 10-digit statistical suffixes under this subheading, including General, Special (Free Trade Agreement), and Column 2 duty rates. Data is sourced from the official USITC 2026 Harmonized Tariff Schedule Revision 9. Always verify final classifications and duty rates with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before importing.
Complete Classification Table
All 8-digit and 10-digit tariff codes under HTS subheading 020500. Use this table to find the correct statistical suffix and applicable duty rate for your product.
| HTS Code | Full Description | General Rate | Special Rate | Column 2 Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0205.00.00.00 |
Meat of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen | Free | — | Free |
Duty Estimator
Enter your product value to estimate the import duty. This is an estimate only — actual duties are assessed by CBP at the port of entry.
Quick Answer: HTS 020500 Duty Rates
HTS subheading 020500 (meat of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen) contains 1 sub-classification.
1 suffix carry duty-free General rates.
Suffix 0205.00.00.00: General rate Free.
Always verify with CBP — Section 301, Section 232, and ADD/CVD may apply.
What Importers Need to Know About HTS Chapter 02
This subheading falls under an HTS chapter covering meat and edible meat offal including beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and processed meat products. Importers of these products should be aware of the following trade compliance considerations:
Meat imports are regulated by USDA FSIS. All foreign meat processing facilities must be FSIS-certified. Country-specific quotas and tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) may apply.
For the specific subheading HTS 020500, we recommend you:
- Verify the correct 10-digit statistical suffix — even within a 6-digit subheading, duty rates can differ significantly between suffixes
- Check FTA eligibility — if your product qualifies for preferential treatment under USMCA, KORUS, or another FTA, you may reduce or eliminate duties by providing the required origin certification
- Monitor for trade remedy changes — Section 301, Section 232, and anti-dumping duties are updated periodically. A rate that was correct last quarter may have changed
- Consult CBP resources — for binding classification rulings, CBP's National Commodity Specialist Division provides written determinations
Frequently Asked Questions About HTS 020500
What is the import duty rate for products under HTS 020500?
Duty rates for HTS 020500 vary by the specific 8- or 10-digit statistical suffix and the country of origin. Suffix 0205.00.00.00 has a General rate of Free. Always verify the exact duty rate with US Customs and Border Protection before importing, as rates may change and additional trade remedies (Section 301, Section 232, anti-dumping) may apply depending on the country of origin.
Can I get duty-free treatment for goods classified under HTS 020500?
Yes — 1 statistical suffixes under HTS 020500 carry a General rate of Free. Additionally, many products qualify for duty-free treatment under Free Trade Agreements (USMCA, KORUS, and others) even if the General rate is not Free. Check the Special rate column for your specific country of origin. To claim FTA preferences, you must provide the required origin certification documentation.
How do I know if I am using the correct HTS classification?
The correct HTS classification depends on the specific product's composition, function, and in some cases its country of origin. For binding certainty, you can request a written ruling from CBP's National Commodity Specialist Division. Misclassification can result in retroactive duties, penalties under 19 USC §1592, and interest on underpaid amounts. For products classified under heading 020500, the key classification factors include the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), Section Notes, and Chapter Notes. When in doubt, consult a licensed customs broker.
HTS Chapter 02 Classification Guide: Meat and Edible Meat Offal
Chapter 02 covers meat and edible meat offal, including fresh, chilled, and frozen beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and processed meat products. Classification depends on the animal species, the cut of meat, and whether the product is fresh, chilled, or frozen. Each combination has its own subheading.
Common Misclassification Errors
- Confusing chilled vs. frozen classifications — the HTS maintains separate subheadings for each temperature state, and misdeclaring can trigger CBP re-examination
- Classifying offal (organ meats) under muscle meat headings — offal has distinct subheadings with different duty rates
- Incorrectly applying TRQ (tariff-rate quota) rates — many meat products have quota-limited preferential rates that reset annually
Duty Calculation Tips for HTS 020500
Meat imports face tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) that limit the quantity entering at preferential rates. Once the TRQ is filled, higher over-quota rates apply. Time your imports to enter during the quota period. USDA FSIS certification of the foreign processing facility is mandatory — without it, your entry will be refused regardless of correct classification.
Chapter 02 Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for meat imports?
A TRQ allows a specified quantity of meat to enter at a low or zero duty rate (in-quota rate). Quantities exceeding the quota face a much higher over-quota rate. TRQs are administered on a first-come, first-served or license-allocated basis. Check USDA FAS for current quota fill levels before importing.
Does the foreign meat processing facility need FSIS certification?
Yes. Under USDA FSIS regulations, all foreign establishments exporting meat to the US must be certified and listed on the FSIS Eligible Foreign Establishments list. Imports from uncertified facilities will be refused entry at the port.
Are there different duty rates for fresh vs. frozen meat?
Yes. The HTS maintains separate subheadings for fresh/chilled and frozen meat products, each with potentially different duty rates. The temperature state at the time of importation determines the classification — not the intended storage method after import.
Can beef from USMCA countries enter duty-free?
Yes, if the beef meets USMCA rules of origin (born, raised, and slaughtered in a USMCA country) and you provide the required origin certification. However, tariff-rate quotas may still apply to certain beef products even under USMCA.
How are organ meats (offal) classified differently from muscle meat?
Offal (livers, kidneys, tongues, sweetbreads, etc.) has its own subheadings separate from muscle meat cuts. Classification depends on the specific organ, the animal species, and whether it is fresh, chilled, or frozen. Offal often faces different duty rates than muscle meat.
This HTS classification data is programmatically parsed from the official 2026 US International Trade Commission (USITC) Harmonized Tariff Schedule Revision 9. The PoliteDraft data engine aggregates 8-digit and 10-digit statistical suffixes under their 6-digit subheading parents to create comprehensive, data-rich reference pages. Our editorial team reviews data parsing accuracy against the official USITC source files. This database is provided for informational and preliminary research purposes only. PoliteDraft is not a licensed customs broker or legal advisor.
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