Honey Mead
A traditional fermented beverage made from honey, water, and yeast, often still or lightly effervescent, with ABV around 10-14%. It is classified in HTS 2206.00.15.20 as 'other' fermented beverages akin to cider, not specified elsewhere like sake. Mead fits as a non-grape, non-malt fermented drink.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If flavored or aromatized like vermouth
Aromatized mead with herbs/spices falls under wine provisions, not plain fermented beverages.
If distilled or overproof with added spirits
Mead liqueurs or fortified versions with ethyl alcohol shift to spirits mixtures.
If unfermented honey extract
Non-alcoholic honey-based drinks are plants/products, not fermented beverages.
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Import Tips & Compliance
• Submit proof gall/test results at 15.56°C for duty; miscalculating high ABV proofs leads to audits
• Label as 'fermented honey beverage' not wine; provide hive origin if claiming special rates
• Avoid blending with spirits (reclassifies to 2208); document pure fermentation process
Related Products under HTS 2206.00.15.20
Dry Apple Cider
A still fermented apple cider with low residual sugar, produced from apple juice fermented with yeast, resulting in an alcoholic strength typically between 4-7% ABV. It falls under HTS 2206.00.15.20 as 'other' cider, neither sparkling nor the primary still cider subheading. This classification covers non-sparkling, non-specific ciders not elsewhere specified.
Sparkling Pear Perry
A lightly sparkling fermented perry made from pears, with carbonation from secondary fermentation but below 3 bars pressure. Classified under HTS 2206.00.15.20 as 'other' cider (broadly including perry as fermented fruit beverage). It distinguishes from true sparkling wine by pressure and fermentation type.
Artisanal Sakè
Japanese rice wine produced by fermenting polished rice with koji mold and yeast, typically pasteurized and filtered, ABV 15-20%. Under HTS 2206.00.15.20 as 'other' fermented beverages (explicitly including sakè). It differs from beer/distilled spirits by unique brewing process.
Traditional English Perry
Still fermented pear cider from heirloom varieties, naturally carbonated under 3 bars, ABV 6-8%. HTS 2206.00.15.20 covers it as 'other' cider/perry. Emphasizes fruit fermentation without distillation.
Dry Hopped Cider
Apple cider dry-hopped with hops post-fermentation for IPA-like bitterness, still, ABV 6.5%. Under 2206.00.15.20 as flavored fermented cider mixture. Hops don't shift to beer classification per fermentation base.
Wild Fermented Mead
Mead using wild yeasts for spontaneous fermentation, unfiltered, ABV 12%. HTS 2206.00.15.20 as other fermented (mead example). Wild process doesn't alter classification.