Acidulant Lime Juice for Vinegar Production from China
Lime juice with Brix value ≤20, unfit for beverages, supplied as acidic starter for industrial vinegar fermentation. HTS 2009.31.10 due to single lime source, unfermented low-Brix profile, and non-beverage denaturization. Precursor material in fermentation processes.
Duty Rate — China → United States
20%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.3112.5%Except for products described in headings 9903.05.85–9903.05.92, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 52 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
• Ensure vinegar production end-use letter to justify industrial classification
• Test for alcohol content <0.5% vol to stay within heading 2009
• Bulk packaging preferred; retail packs may raise beverage suspicions