VeggieCap Size 00 Unfilled Vegetable Capsules from China
Empty hard-shell capsules made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) derived from vegetable sources like pine bark or cellulose, used for encapsulating dietary supplements and powders. They fall under HTS 9602.00.5010 as unfilled vegetable capsules, which are worked articles of vegetable materials not hardened or specified elsewhere. These provide a vegan alternative to gelatin capsules.
Duty Rate — China → United States
22.7%
Rate breakdown
9903.88.157.5%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.39, 9903.88.42, 9903.88.44, 9903.88.47, 9903.88.49, 9903.88.51, 9903.88.53, 9903.88.55, 9903.88.57, 9903.88.65, 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(r) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(s)
9903.05.3112.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — additional 12.5% ad valorem on products of China
Import Tips
• Verify HPMC purity and vegetable origin with certificates of analysis to meet FDA supplement guidelines; label as 'vegan' only if no animal derivatives present
• Common pitfall: misclassifying as pharmaceutical packaging under Chapter 30, leading to higher scrutiny