Unfit Lime Juice for Industrial Flavoring from China
This lime juice has a Brix value not exceeding 20, is not concentrated, and is unfit for beverage purposes due to bitterness from improper processing. It is classified under HTS 2009.31.10.20 as juice of a single citrus fruit (lime) meeting the unfermented, low Brix criteria for non-beverage use. Primarily used in food manufacturing for flavor extracts.
Duty Rate — China → United States
17.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
9903.88.157.5%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.39, 9903.88.42, 9903.88.44, 9903.88.47, 9903.88.49, 9903.88.51, 9903.88.53, 9903.88.55, 9903.88.57, 9903.88.65, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(r) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(s)
Import Tips
• Obtain lab certification proving the juice is unfit for beverages (e.g
• off-flavors, contaminants) to justify this classification
• Declare exact Brix value via refractometer reading at 20°C on entry documents to confirm ≤20
• Avoid common pitfall of mislabeling as beverage juice, which shifts to higher-duty 2009.31.40