Vanillin from Japan
Vanillin is a phenolic aldehyde with methoxy ether substitution (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde), valued for vanilla flavor and odor. Technically an ether-phenol derivative under HTS 2909.50.4050 when imported as odoriferous compound, though aldehyde function noted. Synthetic vanillin dominates global imports.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
22.7%
Rate breakdown
9903.04.6210.2%Patented pharmaceutical articles that are the product of Japan, of a European Union member country, of South Korea, of Switzerland, or of Liechtenstein as provided for in subdivisions (c) and (f) of U.S. note 40 to this subchapter
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
• For synthetic vanillin, provide guaiacol synthesis route to establish ether-phenol parent structure per Chapter 29 ester/salt rules
• Natural vanillin from vanilla beans requires purity certificate (>99%) for compound classification vs
• Chapter 32 extracts
• Watch for sugar acetal derivatives which shift to heading 2940 per Chapter notes