Acidulant Lime Juice for Vinegar Production from Japan
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 — Japan → United States
12.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.4912.5%Except for products described in headings 9903.05.85–9903.05.92, articles the product of Japan, with an ad valorem (or ad valorem equivalent) rate of duty under column 1 less than 12.5 percent, as provided for in U.S. note 52 to this subchapter
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