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Canada → SE Asia

Buttermilk Powder: export from Canada to Southeast Asia

Buttermilk powder is a co-product of butter making and it is bought for function. Its distinguishing feature is phospholipid content from the milk fat globule membrane, which gives it emulsifying properties that skim milk powder does not have.

That makes it valuable in bakery, confectionery, ice cream and prepared foods where it contributes both dairy flavour and emulsification. Buyers substituting it for skim on price alone usually get a different result than intended.

The specification points are fat, protein, moisture, solubility and the flavour profile, which is more pronounced than in skim and is the reason it appears in bakery formulations.

Availability tracks butter production; it does not stand independently, so supply is contracted, not spot. Canadian supply management shapes export volume as it does across the dairy category.

Buttermilk powder classifies apart from both skim and whole milk powder in most schedules. Do not assume a position confirmed for one dairy powder carries to another: send us the exact product and destination.

Canadian export requirements

HS classification
0403.90 (Buttermilk, curdled milk and cream, kephir and other fermented or acidified milk and cream) other than yogurt
CFIA certificates
Health certificate for the export of dairy products and dairy based products for human consumption (CFIA/ACIA 5813)

Six-market position

MarketMFN dutyPreferentialRegistration category
VietnamOn requestOn requestOn request
ThailandOn requestOn requestOn request
PhilippinesOn requestOn requestOn request
IndonesiaOn requestOn requestOn request
MalaysiaOn requestOn requestOn request
SingaporeOn requestOn requestOn request

MFN duty is the destination's applied general rate for this tariff line. Preferential is the rate under an agreement in force between Canada and that market.

Both are customs duty only: destination excise, value-added tax and local levies are additional and are not shown here.

Available on request: send your specification and destination and we'll confirm within five working days.

Commercial terms

Producing provinces
Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba
Seasonality
Year-round production
Pack formats
25 kg bags, 1 MT totes
Container configuration
On request
Indicative MOQ
On request

Common questions

What is the HS code for buttermilk powder?
0403.90 (Buttermilk, curdled milk and cream, kephir and other fermented or acidified milk and cream) other than yogurt. This was read from Canada Border Services Agency on 2026-09-18. The first six digits are the same in every country that uses the Harmonised System; digits beyond that are set by the destination.

Sources

Last reviewed: September 1, 2026