Root Beer Soda from Japan
Root beer is a carbonated soft drink flavored with sassafras, vanilla, and wintergreen extracts, sweetened with sugar or HFCS, and containing carbonated water. Under HTS 2202.10.0055 as 'other' carbonated soft drinks due to added sweetening, flavoring, and exclusion from fruit/nut juices. Traditional herbal flavors distinguish it from colas.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
12.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.4912.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — Japan (col1 rate < 12.5 percent): MFN < 12.5% → total duty capped at 12.5%
Import Tips
• Provide flavor origin certificates for natural extracts to prevent adulteration claims
• Ensure bilingual labeling for ingredients; pitfall: reclassification if herbal content deemed 'nut' under 2009