0401 - Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening matter:

This HTS category, 0401, encompasses milk and cream that are in their natural state, meaning they are neither concentrated nor have any added sugar or other sweetening agents. This includes fresh, pasteurized, or UHT (ultra-high temperature) treated milk and cream as long as these specific additives are absent. The classification focuses on the basic, unadulterated forms of these dairy products.

Distinguishing 0401 from its siblings in Chapter 04, such as milk powders or milk preparations, is crucial. While those categories might involve further processing or the addition of ingredients, 0401 is strictly limited to the liquid form of milk and cream without significant modifications beyond standard preservation techniques. It is important to note that this category does not include products that have undergone processes like evaporation or condensation to increase their solid content.

Within category 0401, subcategories are determined by the fat content of the milk or cream by weight. These subdivisions allow for more precise classification based on the specific characteristics of the dairy product. The subcategories range from milk and cream with a low fat content not exceeding 1 percent, to those with increasingly higher fat percentages up to and exceeding 10 percent, reflecting the diverse range of dairy products encountered in international trade.