2208.40

Rum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane products

Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages

Where this code sits

  1. Section IV · Chapter
    22 — BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR
    PREPARED FOODSTUFFS; BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR;TOBACCO AND MANUFACTURED TOBACCO SUBSTITUTES; PRODUCTS, WHETHER OR NOT CONTAINING NICOTINE, INTENDED FOR INHALATION WITHOUT COMBUSTION; OTHER NICOTINE CONTAINING PRODUCTS INTENDED FOR THE INTAKE OF NICOTINE INTO THE HUMAN BODY
  2. Heading
    2208 — Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages
  3. Subheading
    2208.40 — Rum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane products

Six digits is as far as the international nomenclature goes, and it is the same six digits in every country that applies the Harmonized System. Your destination adds further digits of its own, and the rate lives on that national line — which is why the US lines below run to eight and ten digits, and why the lookups go to each authority's own tariff.

Duty rate

This subheading splits into national lines with different duties. Which one applies is a classification decision about your specific goods, and picking one for you would be making that decision on your behalf. The national lines are listed below — choose the one that describes what you are importing.

Look it up in the authority's own tariff — the only place it is legally meaningful — then bring it back to the calculator, which will do the valuation basis, VAT treatment and statutory fees for you.

Paste 2208.40 into the lookup and follow it down to your national line.

US national lines under 2208.40

The United States subdivides this subheading into 4 lines. They do not all carry the same duty, so which one your goods fall in changes what you pay.

Line Description General Preferential
2208.40.20.00 Valued not over $3 per proof liter Quantity is reported in proof litres (pf.liters). Proof litres are volume adjusted for alcoholic strength — not the same as litres. 23.7¢/pf.liter Free (A+,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) 10.5¢/pf. liter (JO)
2208.40.40.00 Valued over $3 per proof liter Quantity is reported in proof litres (pf.liters). Proof litres are volume adjusted for alcoholic strength — not the same as litres. Free —
2208.40.60.00 Valued not over 69¢ per proof liter Quantity is reported in proof litres (pf.liters). Proof litres are volume adjusted for alcoholic strength — not the same as litres. 23.7¢/pf.liter Free (A+,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) 10.5¢/pf.liter (JO)
2208.40.80.00 Valued over 69¢ per proof liter Quantity is reported in proof litres (pf.liters). Proof litres are volume adjusted for alcoholic strength — not the same as litres. Free —

A blank General cell means the line states no rate of its own and takes the one above it — the line it is stated on is named, so the figure can be checked where it actually appears. Preferential rates are listed with the programme codes that grant them; the schedule offering a rate is not the same as your goods qualifying for it.

Preferential rates for 2208.40

The US lines under this subheading offer a reduced or free rate under 17 programmes. Each is named from General Note 3(c)(i) — the schedule prints only the letter.

A Free

Generalized System of Preferences

Normally supported by: GSP claim

AU Free

United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

BH Free

United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

CL Free

United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

CO Free

United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

D Free

African Growth and Opportunity Act

E Free

Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act

IL Free

United States-Israel Free Trade Area

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

JO 10.5¢/pf. liter

United States-Jordan Free Trade Area Implementation Act

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

KR Free

United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

MA Free

United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

OM Free

United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

P Free

Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

PA Free

United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

PE Free

United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

S Free

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

Normally supported by: USMCA certification of origin

SG Free

United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement

Normally supported by: Certification / claim under a US free trade agreement

Origin is determined by the agreement’s product-specific rules applied to your bill of materials. We hold the tariff schedule and the programme legend, not your inputs — nothing here determines that goods qualify.

What chapter 22 excludes

A subheading's wording does not decide a classification — the legal notes do. These are the notes that push goods out of this chapter even when the description seems to fit.

1. This chapter does not cover:

  • (a) Products of this chapter (other than those of heading 2209) prepared for culinary purposes and thereby rendered unsuitable for consumption as beverages (generally heading 2103)
  • (b) Sea water (heading 2501);
  • (c) Distilled or conductivity water or water of similar purity (heading 2853);
  • (d) Acetic acid of a concentration exceeding 10 percent by weight of acetic acid (heading 2915);
  • (e) Medicaments of heading 3003 or 3004; or
  • (f) Perfumery or toilet preparations (chapter 33).

Legal notes that govern this code

Reproduced from the published tariff schedule. Section and chapter notes are binding and are part of the nomenclature itself; statistical notes are US reporting rules and are not classification law.

Section IV notes PREPARED FOODSTUFFS; BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR;TOBACCO AND MANUFACTURED TOBACCO SUBSTITUTES; PRODUCTS, WHETHER OR NOT CONTAINING NICOTINE, INTENDED FOR INHALATION WITHOUT COMBUSTION; OTHER NICOTINE CONTAINING PRODUCTS INTENDED FOR THE INTAKE OF NICOTINE INTO THE HUMAN BODY

1. In this section the term "pellets" means products which have been agglomerated either directly by compression or by the addition of a binder in a proportion not exceeding 3 percent by weight.

Additional U.S. Notes

1. In this section the term "canned" means preserved in airtight containers by heat processing to destroy or inactivate micro-organisms and enzymes that otherwise could cause spoilage.

2. For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires--

(a) the term "percent by dry weight" means the sugar content as a percentage of the total solids in the product;

(b) The term "capable of being further processed or mixed with similar or other ingredients" means that the imported product is in such condition or container as to be subject to any additional preparation, treatment or manufacture or to be blended or combined with any additional ingredient, including water or any other liquid, other than processing or mixing with other ingredients performed by the ultimate consumer prior to consumption of the product;

(c) the term "prepared for marketing to the ultimate consumer in the identical form and package in which imported" means that the product is imported in packaging of such sizes and labeling as to be readily identifiable as being intended for retail sale to the ultimate consumer without any alteration in the form of the product or its packaging; and

(d) the term "ultimate consumer" does not include institutions such as hospitals, prisons and military establishments or food service establishments such as restaurants, hotels, bars or bakeries.

Chapter 22 — Notes

Legal Notes of the Harmonized System. Binding, and part of the international nomenclature.

1. This chapter does not cover:

(a) Products of this chapter (other than those of heading 2209) prepared for culinary purposes and thereby rendered unsuitable for consumption as beverages (generally heading 2103)

(b) Sea water (heading 2501);

(c) Distilled or conductivity water or water of similar purity (heading 2853);

(d) Acetic acid of a concentration exceeding 10 percent by weight of acetic acid (heading 2915);

(e) Medicaments of heading 3003 or 3004; or

(f) Perfumery or toilet preparations (chapter 33).

2. For the purposes of this chapter and of chapters 20 and 2l, the "alcoholic strength by volume" shall be determined at a temperature of 20°C.

3. For the purposes of heading 2202 the term "non-alcoholic beverages" means beverages of an alcoholic strength by volume not exceeding 0.5 percent vol. Alcoholic beverages are classified in headings 2203 to 2206 or heading 2208 as appropriate.

Chapter 22 — Subheading Notes

Subheading Notes. Binding, scoped to subheadings.

1. For the purposes of subheading 2204.10 the expression "sparkling wine" means wine which, when kept at a temperature of 20°C in closed containers, has an excess pressure of not less than 3 bars.

Chapter 22 — Additional U.S. Notes

Additional U.S. Notes. Binding in the United States; not part of the international HS.

1. The duties prescribed on products covered by this chapter are in addition to the internal-revenue taxes imposed under existing law or any subsequent act. The duties imposed on products covered by this chapter which are subject also to internal-revenue taxes are imposed only on the quantities subject to such taxes; except that, in the case of distilled spirits transferred to the bonded premises of a distilled spirits plant under the provisions of section 5232 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, the duties are imposed on the quantity withdrawn from customs custody.

2. Subheadings 2202.99.30, 2202.99.35, 2202.99.36 and 2202.99.37 cover vitamin or mineral fortified fruit or vegetable juices that are imported only in non-concentrated form. Such juices imported in concentrated form are classifiable in subheadings 2106.90.48, 2106.90.52 or 2106.90.54, as appropriate.

3. Dutiable quantities of alcoholic juices (including grape must) classified in heading 2204, 2206 or 2208 shall be calculated in accordance with additional U.S. notes 1, 2 and 3 in chapter 20.

4. The term "effervescent wine" means wine other than sparkling wine which contains in excess of 0.392 grams of carbon dioxide per 100 milliliters of wine.

5. Where in heading 2204, 2206, 2207 or 2208, the rates shown in the rates of duty columns are in terms of a proof liter, proof liter shall mean a liter of liquid at 15.56°C (60°F) which contains 50 percent (100 proof) by volume of ethyl alcohol having a specific gravity of 0.7939 at 15.56°C (60°F) referred to water at 15.56°C (60°F) as unity or the alcoholic equivalent thereof.

6. Where in heading 2204, 2206, 2207 or 2208, the rates of duty are assessed on a proof liter basis, the rates shown indicate the amount of duty which shall be collected on each liter of an imported product at 100 proof. The amount of duty which shall be collected for each liter of a product which is imported at more than or less than 100 proof shall bear the same ratio to the applicable rate of duty as the proof of the imported product bears to 100 proof.

7. The standard for determining the proof of brandy and other spirits or liquors of any kind when imported is the same as that which is defined in the laws relating to internal revenue. The Secretary of the Treasury, at his discretion, may authorize the ascertainment of the proof of wines, cordials or other liquors and fruit juices by distillation or otherwise, when it is impracticable to ascertain such proof by the means prescribed by existing law or regulations.

8. Provisions for the free entry of certain samples of alcoholic beverages are covered by subheading 9811.00.20 of chapter 98.

9. For the purposes of heading 2209, the standard proof of vinegar is 4 percent by weight of acetic acid.

Chapter 22 — Statistical Notes

US statistical reporting only. NOT classification law.

1. The unit of quantity "kg cmsc" (kilograms cows’ milk solids content) includes all cows’ milk components other than water.

2. For a list of approved standards for "Certified organic", see General Statistical Note 6.

3. For the purposes of statistical reporting number 2206.00.1510, "hard cider" refers to a fermented beverage containing not more than 0.64 grams of carbon dioxide per 100 milliliters, derived from apples, pears or their concentrates, with no other fruit product or flavoring, and containing greater than 0.5 percent and less than 8.5 percent alcohol by volume.

Notes are reproduced from the published tariff schedule. They govern classification, but reading them is not the same as applying them to your goods — that is what a broker or a binding ruling is for.

Other chapters that mention heading 2208

An exclusion pointing into this heading from another chapter is as decisive as one in your own, and it is the one nobody finds by reading their own chapter.

Chapter 18

(b) Preparations of headings 0403, 1901, 1902, 1904, 1905, 2105, 2202, 2208, 3003 or 3004.

Chapter 22

3. For the purposes of heading 2202 the term "non-alcoholic beverages" means beverages of an alcoholic strength by volume not exceeding 0.5 percent vol. Alcoholic beverages are classified in headings 2203 to 2206 or heading 2208 as appropriate.

Chapter 22

3. Dutiable quantities of alcoholic juices (including grape must) classified in heading 2204, 2206 or 2208 shall be calculated in accordance with additional U.S. notes 1, 2 and 3 in chapter 20.

Chapter 22

5. Where in heading 2204, 2206, 2207 or 2208, the rates shown in the rates of duty columns are in terms of a proof liter, proof liter shall mean a liter of liquid at 15.56°C (60°F) which contains 50 percent (100 proof) by volume of ethyl alcohol having a specific gravity of 0.7939 at 15.56°C (60°F) referred to water at 15.56°C (60°F) as unity or the alcoholic equivalent thereof.

Chapter 22

6. Where in heading 2204, 2206, 2207 or 2208, the rates of duty are assessed on a proof liter basis, the rates shown indicate the amount of duty which shall be collected on each liter of an imported product at 100 proof. The amount of duty which shall be collected for each liter of a product which is imported at more than or less than 100 proof shall bear the same ratio to the applicable rate of duty as the proof of the imported product bears to 100 proof.

Chapter 29

(b) Ethyl alcohol (heading 2207 or 2208);

Other subheadings under 2208

Importing 2208.40 into

Each guide covers how duty and tax are assessed there, the authority with jurisdiction, and what catches importers out.

Common questions

What is HS code 2208.40?

2208.40 covers Rum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane products. It sits under heading 2208 (Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages) in chapter 22, beverages, spirits and vinegar.

What is the US duty rate for 2208.40?

There is no single rate: this subheading splits into 4 US national lines with 2 different duty rates. Which one applies is a classification decision about your specific goods — the lines are listed on this page.

What is excluded from chapter 22?

1. This chapter does not cover: (a) Products of this chapter (other than those of heading 2209) prepared for culinary purposes and thereby rendered unsuitable for consumption as beverages (generally heading 2103) (b) Sea water (heading 2501); (c) Distilled or conductivity water or water of similar purity (heading 2853); (d) Acetic acid of a concentration exceeding 10 percent by weight of acetic acid (heading 2915);

What quantity is 2208.40 reported in?

Quantity is reported in proof litres (pf.liters). Proof litres are volume adjusted for alcoholic strength — not the same as litres.