helptariff
Korea → United StatesHS 220890Other distilled cereal beveragesBroker recommended

음료ㆍ주류ㆍ식초(ko) › Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous

Other distilled cereal beverages

HS 220890Korea → United States

Destination duty
0%
Special
Federal VAT / GST
None
Clearance difficulty
Broker recommended

1Overview

  • Destination duty: Free (Special, 2208.90.80)
  • Federal VAT / GST: None — The US has no federal VAT. State sales tax is not charged at import.
  • This code covers: Other distilled cereal beverages
  • Additional tariffs: Additional tariffs (HTS Chapter 99: Section 232/301/122) may apply on top of the rate shown — check the current Chapter 99 notes.
  • Regime to watch: US duty-free de minimis suspended for all countriesSince 2025-08-29 Executive Order 14324 has suspended duty-free de minimis entry for shipments from every country. Parcels are now dutiable and need an entry with HS classification and origin, which structurally raises difficulty for small consignments.federalregister.gov

Key points

  • De minimis is suspended indefinitely: non-postal modes since 2026-06-24, international mail since 2026-07-24. The US$800 duty-free entry no longer exists.
  • No federal VAT or GST. State sales or use tax is a separate matter handled after import, not at the border.
  • US$2,500 separates informal from formal entry. Mail shipments up to US$2,500 in HTSUS chapters 1-97 may use the new postal informal entry process, with duty due by the 7th day of the month following arrival.
  • The importer of record may self-file in ACE, but formal entries require a customs bond, and ocean cargo also requires an Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) at least 24 hours before loading.
  • Additional tariffs may apply as HTSUS Chapter 99 lines. As of 2026-09, verify the Section 232, Section 301 and surcharge position for your entry date rather than relying on a previously quoted number.

As of: 2026 HTS Rev.15

2Classification

HS6 names

  • ko기타
  • enOther distilled cereal beverages
  • zh_hant其他穀類酒
  • zh_hans其他谷类酒

United States tariff lines

LineDescription
2208.90.01.00AquavitUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other
2208.90.05.00Not fit for use as beveragesUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Bitters
2208.90.10.00Fit for use as beveragesUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Bitters
2208.90.12.00In containers each holding not over 4 litersUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Brandy › Slivovitz › Valued not over $3.43/liter
2208.90.14.00In containers each holding over 4 litersUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Brandy › Slivovitz › Valued not over $3.43/liter
2208.90.15.00Valued over $3.43/literUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Brandy › Slivovitz
2208.90.20.00Valued not over $2.38/literUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Brandy › Other › In containers each holding not over 4 liters
2208.90.25.00Valued over $2.38 but not over $3.43/literUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Brandy › Other › In containers each holding not over 4 liters
2208.90.30.00Valued over $3.43/literUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Brandy › Other › In containers each holding not over 4 liters
2208.90.35.00Valued not over $2.38/literUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Brandy › Other › In containers each holding over 4 liters
2208.90.40.00Valued over $2.38/literUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Brandy › Other › In containers each holding over 4 liters
2208.90.46Kirschwasser and ratafiaUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other
2208.90.46.30In containers each holding not over 4 litersUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Kirschwasser and ratafia
2208.90.46.60In containers each holding over 4 litersUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Kirschwasser and ratafia
2208.90.50In containers each holding not over 4 litersUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Tequila
2208.90.50.30Certified organicUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Tequila › In containers each holding not over 4 liters
2208.90.50.60OtherUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Tequila › In containers each holding not over 4 liters
2208.90.55.00In containers each holding over 4 litersUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Tequila
2208.90.71.00Imitations of brandy and other spirituous beveragesUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other
2208.90.72.00Mezcal in containers each holding not over 4 litersUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Other › Spirits
2208.90.75.00OtherUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Other › Spirits
2208.90.80OtherUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Other
2208.90.80.10Premixed cocktails or other mixed beverages, ready to consume as packaged, in containers each holding not over 4 litersUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Other › Other
2208.90.80.20OtherUndenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages › Other › Other › Other
Korea export-side line (reference)
  • 2208901000브랜디류(소호 제2208.20호의 것을 제외한다)
  • 2208904000소주
  • 2208906000고량주
  • 2208907000데낄라
  • 2208909000기타

Top 3 United States rulings

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As of: 2026 HTS Rev.15

3Duty & tax

Rate available to Korea origin

LineDescriptionGeneralSpecialColumn 2
2208.90.01.00AquavitFree—$1.99/pf. liter
2208.90.05.00Not fit for use as beveragesFree—$1.32/pf. liter
2208.90.10.00Fit for use as beveragesFree—$1.32/pf. liter
2208.90.12.00In containers each holding not over 4 litersFree—$2.35/pf. liter
2208.90.14.00In containers each holding over 4 litersFree—$1.32/pf. liter
2208.90.15.00Valued over $3.43/literFree—$2.35/pf. liter
2208.90.20.00Valued not over $2.38/literFree—$2.35/pf. liter
2208.90.25.00Valued over $2.38 but not over $3.43/literFree—$2.35/pf. liter
2208.90.30.00Valued over $3.43/literFree—$2.35/pf. liter
2208.90.35.00Valued not over $2.38/literFree—$1.32/pf. liter
2208.90.40.00Valued over $2.38/literFree—$1.32/pf. liter
2208.90.46Kirschwasser and ratafiaFree—$3.08/pf. liter
2208.90.46.30In containers each holding not over 4 liters———
2208.90.46.60In containers each holding over 4 liters———
2208.90.50In containers each holding not over 4 litersFree—$1.68/pf. liter
2208.90.50.30Certified organic———
2208.90.50.60Other———
2208.90.55.00In containers each holding over 4 litersFree—$1.32/pf. liter
2208.90.71.00Imitations of brandy and other spirituous beveragesFree—$2.35/pf. liter
2208.90.72.00Mezcal in containers each holding not over 4 litersFree—$1.78/pf. liter
2208.90.75.00OtherFree—$1.78/pf. liter
2208.90.80Other21.1¢/pf.literFree$4.05/pf. liter
2208.90.80.10Premixed cocktails or other mixed beverages, ready to consume as packaged, in containers each holding not over 4 liters———
2208.90.80.20Other———

Additional tariffs (HTS Chapter 99: Section 232/301/122) may apply on top of the rate shown — check the current Chapter 99 notes.

  • · The United States has no federal value-added or goods-and-services tax. Customs collects duty and fees only.
  • · Merchandise processing fee: 0.3464% of the entered value on formal entries, subject to a minimum and maximum that are re-indexed each fiscal year; informal entries pay a flat amount instead.
  • · Harbor maintenance fee: 0.125% of the value on cargo arriving by vessel.
  • · State sales or use tax may apply to the onward sale or use of the goods and is administered by state revenue departments, not by CBP.
  • · Chapter 99 additional duties (Section 232, Section 301, any surcharge in force) are added to the ordinary rate; verify what applies on the entry date.

Landed-cost estimate

Duty rate used
0%
Customs value
—
Duty
—
Federal VAT / GST
—
Estimated total
—

A rough estimate. The real amount depends on valuation, classification and origin determination.

As of: 2026 HTS Rev.15

4Requirements

  • FD4FDA

    Beverages, spirits and vinegar incl. bottled water - FDA food (FD4); alcoholic beverages also TTB. Potential.

    Confidence:
    chapter-heuristic
    fda.gov
  • headingTTB

    Distilled spirits and liqueurs - TTB Importer Basic Permit + COLA + excise.

    Confidence:
    chapter-heuristic
    ttb.gov

CBP does not publish a complete per-HS PGA flag file, so this is mapped with a chapter/heading heuristic.

Agencies involved

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)Clears imports, assesses duty and fees, and enforces other agencies' requirements at the bordercbp.gov
  • U.S. International Trade CommissionPublishes the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, including the Chapter 99 additional-duty provisionshts.usitc.gov
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics; Prior Notice and MoCRA registration and listingfda.gov
  • USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)Plant and animal products, permits and phytosanitary requirementsaphis.usda.gov
  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC)Radio-frequency devices and equipment authorisationfcc.gov
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)Consumer products and children's product certificationcpsc.gov

As of: 2026-08-27

5Documents

Korea export documents

  • Export declaration (수출신고서)
    Issued by:
    Exporter or customs broker, filed in UNI-PASS
    When:
    Before loading

    Carries the HS code, quantity, value, terms of sale, origin and whether drawback will be claimed.

    Official page
  • Export declaration certificate (수출신고필증)
    Issued by:
    Customs
    When:
    Issued when the declaration is accepted

    Used for zero-rated VAT, duty drawback claims, trade finance and insurance.

    Official page
  • Commercial invoice
    Issued by:
    Exporter
    When:
    With the shipping documents

    The destination customs authority uses it to set the customs value, so description, quantity, unit price, terms and origin must be accurate.

    Official page
  • Packing list
    Issued by:
    Exporter
    When:
    With the shipping documents

    Carton-level contents, weights, dimensions and marks.

    Official page
  • Bill of lading or air waybill
    Issued by:
    Carrier or freight forwarder
    When:
    Issued after loading

    Used for payment, including under a letter of credit, and for the buyer to take delivery.

    Official page
  • FTA certificate of origin
    Issued by:
    Customs, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or the exporter under self-certification
    When:
    Before the buyer claims preference

    KORUS is self-certified with no prescribed form; the Korea-China FTA is authority-issued; RCEP follows the mechanism in the agreement. There is no agreement with Taiwan.

    Official page
  • Strategic goods determination or export licence
    Issued by:
    Korea Strategic Trade Institute (KOSTI), Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
    When:
    Before exporting the item concerned

    Dual-use items go through self-classification or an expert determination, and an export licence where one is required.

    Official page
  • Health or quarantine certificate for export
    Issued by:
    MFDS, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency and others
    When:
    When the destination requires it

    For example a health certificate for exported food, a phytosanitary certificate, or an animal quarantine certificate. Food exported to mainland China additionally requires GACC overseas manufacturer registration.

    Official page
  • Duty drawback claim documents
    Issued by:
    Exporter
    When:
    After the export is performed

    Depending on whether the fixed-rate or the individual method is used, import declaration certificates and basic raw material tax payment certificates are needed.

    Official page

United States import documents

  • CBP Form 3461, Entry/Immediate Delivery
    Issued by:
    U.S. Customs and Border Protection
    When:
    At or before arrival, filed electronically in ACE

    The release document. It may generally be filed up to five days before arrival.

    Official page
  • CBP Form 7501, Entry Summary
    Issued by:
    U.S. Customs and Border Protection
    When:
    Within 10 working days of release

    Carries the HTSUS classification, value and duty calculation. Duty may be paid entry by entry or on a periodic monthly statement.

    Official page
  • Commercial invoice
    Issued by:
    Seller or exporter
    When:
    With the entry

    Should identify buyer and seller, describe the goods, and state quantity, unit and total price, currency, terms of sale and country of origin.

    Official page
  • Packing list
    Issued by:
    Seller or exporter
    When:
    With the entry

    Carton-level contents, weights and marks, used during examination.

    Official page
  • Bill of lading or air waybill
    Issued by:
    Carrier or freight forwarder
    When:
    Issued at loading

    Evidence of the contract of carriage and of the right to take delivery.

    Official page
  • Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2)
    Issued by:
    Importer or its agent
    When:
    At least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel

    Ocean cargo only. It does not apply to air, truck or rail shipments.

    Official page
  • Customs bond, single transaction or continuous
    Issued by:
    Surety licensed by the U.S. Treasury
    When:
    In place before the entry is filed

    Required for formal entries and for the new postal informal entry process.

    Official page
  • Free trade agreement claim of origin
    Issued by:
    Exporter, producer or importer
    When:
    Held at the time the claim is made

    For Korean-origin goods, KORUS uses self-certification with no prescribed form; the claim is made on the entry using the special program indicator KR. Taiwan and mainland China have no free trade agreement with the United States.

    Official page
  • Partner government agency data
    Issued by:
    FDA, USDA, FCC, CPSC, EPA and others
    When:
    With the entry

    Examples: FDA Prior Notice for food, cosmetic facility registration and product listing under MoCRA with a named U.S. responsible person, FCC declarations for radio-frequency devices, CPSC certificates for children's products.

    Official page

6Procedure

  1. Pre-loading filingsThe importer or its agent files the Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel, and the carrier files its advance cargo manifest on the same 24-hour timeline.
  2. Entry filingCBP Form 3461 is filed in ACE, generally up to five days before arrival. Entry must be made within 15 calendar days of arrival, otherwise the goods are moved to a General Order warehouse.
  3. Review, examination and agency holdsCBP may select the shipment for document review, X-ray or a physical examination, and a partner government agency such as FDA, USDA or CPSC may place its own hold.
  4. ReleaseOnce CBP and any agency holds are cleared, the goods are released and may leave the port.
  5. Entry summary and paymentCBP Form 7501 is filed within 10 working days of release with duty, merchandise processing fee and harbor maintenance fee, paid entry by entry or on a periodic monthly statement.
  6. LiquidationCBP fixes the final duty at liquidation, normally within 314 days of entry. Post-summary corrections and protests have their own separate deadlines.
  1. Advance manifestThe air carrier transmits its advance cargo information before arrival. The Importer Security Filing does not apply to air cargo.
  2. Entry filingCBP Form 3461 is filed in ACE, commonly before the aircraft lands, so that release can follow shortly after arrival.
  3. Review and agency holdsCBP and partner government agencies review the entry and may examine the shipment at the airport cargo facility.
  4. Release and deliveryAfter release the goods leave the bonded air cargo facility.
  5. Entry summary and liquidationCBP Form 7501 and duty follow within 10 working days of release, then liquidation as for ocean cargo.
  1. Advance dataThe express consignment operator or the postal operator transmits shipment data to CBP before arrival.
  2. EntrySince 2026-06-24 low-value goods can no longer be released from the manifest. Express shipments are entered as informal entries, normally Entry Type 11, and anything above US$2,500 requires a formal entry.
  3. Mail shipmentsSince 2026-07-24 mail shipments valued at US$2,500 or less and classifiable in HTSUS chapters 1 to 97 may use the postal informal entry process, filed by a licensed customs broker or by the owner or purchaser, with a basic importation and entry bond in place.
  4. Duty assessment and paymentDuty and fees are calculated on the declared value. Express operators normally advance the duty and bill the buyer; under the postal process duty is due no later than the 7th day of the month following the package's arrival.
  5. Agency screening and deliveryFood, cosmetics, drugs, radio devices and children's products still require their agency data, and goods subject to quota, antidumping or countervailing duties, Chapter 98 or 99 duties, or a free trade agreement claim are excluded from the postal informal process.
  1. Declaration on arrivalTravellers declare everything acquired abroad, on CBP Form 6059B or its electronic equivalent, and answer the CBP officer's questions at the port of entry.
  2. Personal exemptionsReturning U.S. residents generally have a personal exemption of US$800. Non-residents' accompanied personal and household articles of US$200 or less remain exempt under 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(B).
  3. Commercial merchandiseGoods carried for resale are not covered by a personal exemption. They require an informal or formal entry like any other import, and partner government agency rules still apply.
  4. PaymentDuty on declared goods above the exemption is paid at the port of entry before the traveller leaves the customs area.
Show Korea export-side steps
  1. Pre-shipment reviewFix the HS code and determine whether the item is a strategic good. Destination-side registrations, such as GACC registration for food going to mainland China or MoCRA registration for cosmetics going to the United States, must be completed before shipment.
  2. Export declarationThe exporter or a customs broker files the declaration in UNI-PASS. If drawback will be claimed, the relevant fields are completed at this point.
  3. Review, examination and acceptanceCustoms reviews the documents, examines the goods where necessary, accepts the declaration and issues the export declaration certificate.
  4. Delivery and loadingThe container is delivered to the CY or CFS and loaded. Bonded transport is used where the goods have to move to another customs district.
  5. Loading deadlineLoading must be completed within 30 days of acceptance. If a delay is expected, an extension of the loading deadline is requested.
  6. Documents and follow-upCollect the bill of lading for payment, then file the zero-rated VAT return and the duty drawback claim.

7Difficulty

Broker recommended

Score: 0.84

A signal derived from public data, not advice.

Why this reading

  • regime[TTB] The importer must hold a TTB Importer Basic Permit (a US-domiciled entity), obtain label pre-approval (COLA), and pay federal excise; state three-tier licensing applies on top.ttb.gov2026-09-07
  • requirement2 destination import requirement(s) found: Distilled spirits and liqueurs - TTB Importer Basic Permit +, Beverages, spirits and vinegar incl. bottled water - FDA foottb.gov2026-09-07
  • ambiguityClassification is contested — rulings for this HS6 scatter across several subheadings and are often decided against neighbouring codesrulings.cbp.gov2026-09-07
  • timingSince 2025-08-29 Executive Order 14324 has suspended duty-free de minimis entry for shipments from every country. Parcels are now dutiable and need an entry with HS classification and origin, which structurally raises difficulty for small consignments.federalregister.gov2026-09-07

Components

Import requirements0.76Distilled spirits and liqueurs - TTB Importer Basic Permit + COLA + excise. ttb.govBeverages, spirits and vinegar incl. bottled water - FDA food (FD4); alcoholic beverages also TTB. Potential. fda.govconfidence=chapter-heuristic — CBP는 HS별 PGA 플래그 전량 공개 파일을 제공하지 않아 chapter/heading 휴리스틱 매핑을 사용함 customs_v0.sqlite:us_requirements
Classification ambiguity0.70US 결정례 45건 · 하위 세번 13종으로 분산 rulings.cbp.govUS CROSS 45건 중 복수 세번 결정 비율 11% · 같은 사건에서 함께 검토된 다른 HS6 7개 rulings.cbp.gov
Regulatory regime0.87TTB importer basic permit + COLA + federal excise ttb.gov
Korea origin-side note: Korea’s customs-verified requirement list is import-side only; export controls (Foreign Trade Act, strategic items) must be checked separately. unipass.customs.go.kr

As of: 2026-09-07

8Cases

Show rulings from other countries (27)

Sources: Federal Register: Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Merchandise Arriving Through All Modes Other Than the International Postal Network · Federal Register: Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments and New Postal Informal Entry Process · Federal Register: Notice of Implementation of Executive Order 14324, Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries · CBP Form 7501, Entry Summary (revision 02/26) · CBP: Importer Security Filing (10+2) · Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States · Supreme Court of the United States: Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump (No. 24-1287) · FDA: Registration and Listing of Cosmetic Product Facilities and Products · Korea Customs Service: Export clearance · Korea Customs Service UNI-PASS · Korea Customs Service FTA Portal · Korea Strategic Trade Institute (Yestrade) · Korea Law Information Center: Customs Act, Foreign Trade Act · Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency

I am a: Forwarder — Changes which blocks are emphasised