Vanillin (4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) from China
Synthetic vanillin, chemically 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, is a guaiacol derivative produced via guaiacol oxidation or lignin processes, widely used as vanilla flavoring. Despite aldehyde function, its guaiacol ether-phenol nature places it under HTS 2909.50.20.00 per chapter numerical order rules. Imported in bulk for food and fragrance industries.
Duty Rate — China → United States
40.5%
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
9903.88.0325%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 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(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)
Import Tips
• Specify 'synthetic vanillin from guaiacol' on invoice; natural vanilla extract goes to different chapter
• Provide HPLC purity certificate (>99%) to prevent downgrading to flavor mixtures classification
• FDA prior notice required for food-grade imports; ensure USP/EP compliance documentation