HS 200989 Other

What products does HS 200989 cover?

This subheading covers mixtures of fruit or vegetable juices, unfermented and not containing added spirit, not elsewhere specified or included within Heading 2009. Specifically, it encompasses various combinations of juices from fruits or vegetables that do not fall under the more specific subheadings for single juices (e.g., orange, pineapple, tomato) or specific mixtures like orange and passion fruit juice (2009.39) or apple and cranberry juice (2009.79). This includes novel blends or less common fruit/vegetable juice mixtures, provided they meet the general criteria for Heading 2009 as defined by the World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System Explanatory Notes and reflected in the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and EU TARIC. The key is that these are unfermented and lack added spirit, distinguishing them from alcoholic beverages.

What falls outside HS 200989?

The following products are excluded from HS 200989: single fruit or vegetable juices, which are classified in their respective specific subheadings under 2009 (e.g., orange juice in 2009.31, tomato juice in 2009.50). Additionally, specific mixtures explicitly provided for elsewhere in Heading 2009, such as mixtures of orange and passion fruit juice (2009.39) or mixtures of apple and cranberry juice (2009.79), are excluded. Nectars, which typically contain added sugar or water beyond what is naturally present in the juice, are generally classified under Heading 2202 if they are non-alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, fruit or vegetable purees, even if intended for juice production, are typically classified under Heading 2007 or 2008, depending on their preparation and whether they are cooked or uncooked, not as juices under 2009.

What are common classification mistakes for HS 200989?

A common error is misclassifying specific single fruit or vegetable juices, or explicitly defined mixtures, into 200989 instead of their more specific subheadings. For instance, a blend predominantly of orange juice with a minor amount of another fruit juice might mistakenly be put in 200989 when it should fall under a more specific orange juice subheading if the orange content is sufficiently high to characterize the product, per General Interpretative Rule (GRI) 3(b). Another mistake involves classifying fruit nectars or sweetened beverages with a juice component into 200989; these often belong in Heading 2202 due to their added sugar or water content, which changes their character from pure juice. Importers sometimes also overlook the "unfermented and not containing added spirit" criterion, incorrectly classifying alcoholic fruit beverages or fermented products here.

How should importers classify products under HS 200989?

The correct procedure for classifying products under HS 200989 involves a systematic review of the product's composition and characteristics. Importers and customs brokers should first verify that the product is indeed a mixture of fruit or vegetable juices, unfermented, and without added spirit. Next, they must meticulously check all other subheadings within Heading 2009 to ensure the mixture is not specifically provided for elsewhere (e.g., 2009.39 for orange and passion fruit, or 2009.79 for apple and cranberry). If no other specific subheading applies, and the product meets the general criteria for Heading 2009, then 200989 is the appropriate classification. Consulting the WCO Explanatory Notes for Heading 2009 and relevant national tariff schedules (USITC HTS, EU TARIC, UK Trade Tariff) is crucial to confirm the interpretation and application of these rules, ensuring compliance and accurate duty assessment.