Chapter 20 covers preparations of vegetables, fruits, nuts, or other parts of plants, including food prepared by methods other than vinegar preservation, sugaring, or freezing (such as cooking, frying, homogenizing, concentrating, etc.). This chapter does not include goods that have only undergone simple preservation (classified in Chapters 7 and 8) or miscellaneous edible preparations of Chapter 21. The core lies in 'depth of processing': beyond primary form, but not forming a completely new food category. Heading 2009 specifically refers to unfermented fruit juices, vegetable juices, and mixtures thereof, including concentrated juices, original juices, diluted juices, etc., but excludes fermented fruit juices (classified in Chapter 22) and beverages with added alcohol. The key characteristic is the 'juice' form, and it has not undergone fermentation. Whether or not sugar, other sweeteners, or preservatives are added, as long as the basic characteristics of juice are maintained, it is classified under this heading. The first 2 digits '20' represent Chapter 20: preparations of vegetables, fruits, nuts, or other parts of plants. The 3rd-4th digits '09' represent heading 2009: unfermented fruit juices and vegetable juices. The 5th-6th digits '21' represent subheading 200921: grapefruit juice. Among them, '2' indicates the fruit juice category, and '1' is the specific serial number for grapefruit juice. Therefore, the complete meaning of 200921 is: unfermented grapefruit juice, whether or not concentrated, sweetened, or chilled. The product is grapefruit juice, unfermented, meeting the description of heading 2009. Subheading 200921 explicitly lists grapefruit juice, so it is classified there first. If it were fermented grapefruit juice, it would be classified under 2206; if it were a grapefruit-flavored beverage (low juice content), it would be classified under 2202; if it were grapefruit essential oil, it would be classified under 3301. Therefore, maintaining the basic characteristics of juice and being unfermented is the key to classification under 200921.
Chapter
Chapter 20 covers preparations of vegetables, fruits, nuts, or other parts of plants, including food prepared by methods other than vinegar preservation, sugaring, or freezing (such as cooking, frying, homogenizing, concentrating, etc.). This chapter does not include goods that have only undergone simple preservation (classified in Chapters 7 and 8) or miscellaneous edible preparations of Chapter 21. The core lies in 'depth of processing': beyond primary form, but not forming a completely new food category.
Heading
Heading 2009 specifically refers to unfermented fruit juices, vegetable juices, and mixtures thereof, including concentrated juices, original juices, diluted juices, etc., but excludes fermented fruit juices (classified in Chapter 22) and beverages with added alcohol. The key characteristic is the 'juice' form, and it has not undergone fermentation. Whether or not sugar, other sweeteners, or preservatives are added, as long as the basic characteristics of juice are maintained, it is classified under this heading.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits '20' represent Chapter 20: preparations of vegetables, fruits, nuts, or other parts of plants. The 3rd-4th digits '09' represent heading 2009: unfermented fruit juices and vegetable juices. The 5th-6th digits '21' represent subheading 200921: grapefruit juice. Among them, '2' indicates the fruit juice category, and '1' is the specific serial number for grapefruit juice. Therefore, the complete meaning of 200921 is: unfermented grapefruit juice, whether or not concentrated, sweetened, or chilled.
Classification Basis
The product is grapefruit juice, unfermented, meeting the description of heading 2009. Subheading 200921 explicitly lists grapefruit juice, so it is classified there first. If it were fermented grapefruit juice, it would be classified under 2206; if it were a grapefruit-flavored beverage (low juice content), it would be classified under 2202; if it were grapefruit essential oil, it would be classified under 3301. Therefore, maintaining the basic characteristics of juice and being unfermented is the key to classification under 200921.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, which should include 'grapefruit juice' and its processing state (e.g., concentrated, original juice). Ingredient Content: List the percentages of grapefruit juice content, water, sugar, preservatives, etc., to prove its basic juice characteristics. Processing Method: Explain whether it is concentrated, diluted, sweetened, fermented, etc., such as 'concentrated and reconstituted', 'not from concentrate'. Packaging Specifications: Indicate the packaging type and net weight, such as '200-liter aseptic bag', '1-liter carton'. Brand: Declare the brand name (if no brand, indicate 'none'), used for customs intellectual property protection. Production Date: Indicate the specific production date or batch number for traceability and shelf-life verification. Storage Method: Explain storage conditions, such as 'chilled', 'room temperature', 'frozen', affecting transportation and supervision. Product Name: Grapefruit juice (concentrated and reconstituted); Ingredient Content: 100% grapefruit juice, no added sugar; Processing Method: concentrated then reconstituted, unfermented; Packaging Specifications: 1 liter/carton, 12 cartons/case; Brand: Sunny; Production Date: 2025-03-01; Storage Method: chilled. Misreporting fermented grapefruit juice as unfermented, which should be classified under 2206 rather than 200921. Ignoring sugar content or additive proportions, resulting in inability to prove maintenance of basic juice characteristics. Confusing 'grapefruit juice' with 'grapefruit-flavored beverage', the latter having low juice content and should be classified under 2202.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, which should include 'grapefruit juice' and its processing state (e.g., concentrated, original juice).
⚠️ Writing only 'fruit juice' or 'pomelo juice' without specifying grapefruit, leading to classification disputes.
Ingredient Content
List the percentages of grapefruit juice content, water, sugar, preservatives, etc., to prove its basic juice characteristics.
⚠️ Failure to indicate sugar content or additive proportions, making it impossible to determine whether the basic juice characteristics are maintained.
Processing Method
Explain whether it is concentrated, diluted, sweetened, fermented, etc., such as 'concentrated and reconstituted', 'not from concentrate'.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing 'fermented' as 'processed', leading to classification under Chapter 22.
Packaging Specifications
Indicate the packaging type and net weight, such as '200-liter aseptic bag', '1-liter carton'.
⚠️ Ignoring packaging specifications, affecting the determination of dutiable value and regulatory conditions.
Brand
Declare the brand name (if no brand, indicate 'none'), used for customs intellectual property protection.
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer, or failing to declare truthfully leading to infringement risks.
Production Date
Indicate the specific production date or batch number for traceability and shelf-life verification.
⚠️ Writing only 'see packaging', which cannot be verified and may delay customs clearance.
Storage Method
Explain storage conditions, such as 'chilled', 'room temperature', 'frozen', affecting transportation and supervision.
⚠️ Misreporting frozen grapefruit juice as chilled, which may involve different inspection and quarantine requirements.
Example： Product Name: Grapefruit juice (concentrated and reconstituted); Ingredient Content: 100% grapefruit juice, no added sugar; Processing Method: concentrated then reconstituted, unfermented; Packaging Specifications: 1 liter/carton, 12 cartons/case; Brand: Sunny; Production Date: 2025-03-01; Storage Method: chilled.
Common Mistakes：
Misreporting fermented grapefruit juice as unfermented, which should be classified under 2206 rather than 200921.
Ignoring sugar content or additive proportions, resulting in inability to prove maintenance of basic juice characteristics.
Confusing 'grapefruit juice' with 'grapefruit-flavored beverage', the latter having low juice content and should be classified under 2202.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 20 of the Import and Export Tariff and the provisions of heading 2009. First confirm that the product is grapefruit juice, unfermented, and maintains the basic characteristics of juice (may be concentrated, sweetened, diluted). If fermented, it is classified under Chapter 22; if it is a beverage (low juice content), it is classified under 2202; if it is essential oil, it is classified under 3301. Also refer to the definition of 'juice' in the Explanatory Notes: obtained by physical methods such as pressing, extraction, etc., may contain additives but must not alter the basic characteristics. 200929 Other citrus fruit juices: 200929 covers citrus juices other than grapefruit, orange, and lemon, such as pomelo juice, citrus juice. Grapefruit juice has a dedicated subheading 200921 and cannot be classified under 200929. 2202 Flavored or sweetened water beverages: 2202 includes grapefruit-flavored beverages, but the juice content is usually less than 50%, and they may be carbonated. 200921 requires maintaining the basic characteristics of juice with high juice content. 2206 Fermented beverages: 2206 includes fermented grapefruit juice (such as grapefruit wine), with alcohol content usually exceeding 0.5%. 200921 explicitly excludes fermented juice. 200990 Mixed fruit juices: 200990 is a mixture of fruit juice and vegetable juice. If grapefruit juice is mixed with other juices and is not the main component, it may be classified under 200990. 3301 Grapefruit essential oil: 3301 is volatile essential oil obtained by distillation or pressing, not in juice form. 200921 is juice, retaining the original components of the fruit. Is it confirmed that the product is grapefruit juice and not other citrus juice? Is it confirmed to be unfermented (alcohol content ≤0.5%)? Does it maintain the basic characteristics of juice (may be concentrated, sweetened)? Is the juice content high, not a diluted beverage? Is it not essential oil or extract?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 20 of the Import and Export Tariff and the provisions of heading 2009. First confirm that the product is grapefruit juice, unfermented, and maintains the basic characteristics of juice (may be concentrated, sweetened, diluted). If fermented, it is classified under Chapter 22; if it is a beverage (low juice content), it is classified under 2202; if it is essential oil, it is classified under 3301. Also refer to the definition of 'juice' in the Explanatory Notes: obtained by physical methods such as pressing, extraction, etc., may contain additives but must not alter the basic characteristics.
Confused Codes：
200929 - Other citrus fruit juices
200929 covers citrus juices other than grapefruit, orange, and lemon, such as pomelo juice, citrus juice. Grapefruit juice has a dedicated subheading 200921 and cannot be classified under 200929.
2202 - Flavored or sweetened water beverages
2202 includes grapefruit-flavored beverages, but the juice content is usually less than 50%, and they may be carbonated. 200921 requires maintaining the basic characteristics of juice with high juice content.
2206 - Fermented beverages
2206 includes fermented grapefruit juice (such as grapefruit wine), with alcohol content usually exceeding 0.5%. 200921 explicitly excludes fermented juice.
200990 - Mixed fruit juices
200990 is a mixture of fruit juice and vegetable juice. If grapefruit juice is mixed with other juices and is not the main component, it may be classified under 200990.
3301 - Grapefruit essential oil
3301 is volatile essential oil obtained by distillation or pressing, not in juice form. 200921 is juice, retaining the original components of the fruit.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it confirmed that the product is grapefruit juice and not other citrus juice?
✓ Is it confirmed to be unfermented (alcohol content ≤0.5%)?
✓ Does it maintain the basic characteristics of juice (may be concentrated, sweetened)?
✓ Is the juice content high, not a diluted beverage?
✓ Is it not essential oil or extract?
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether grapefruit juice is fermented? Fermentation usually refers to alcohol content exceeding 0.5% by volume, which can be confirmed by test reports. If unfermented, classify under 200921; if fermented, classify under 2206. Alcohol concentration test data must be provided at declaration. Are both concentrated grapefruit juice and reconstituted grapefruit juice classified under 200921? Yes, whether concentrated or reconstituted, as long as the basic characteristics of juice are maintained and it is unfermented, it is classified under 200921. However, concentrated juice may involve different declaration elements, such as Brix. Does adding sugar to grapefruit juice affect classification? No, heading 2009 allows the addition of sugar or other sweeteners, as long as the basic characteristics of juice are not altered. However, the sugar content must be declared; if the sugar content is too high and it becomes syrup, it may be classified under 1704 or 2106. How to distinguish grapefruit juice from grapefruit-flavored beverages? The key is the juice content. Generally, juice content ≥50% is considered fruit juice and classified under 200921; if the juice content is low and it is carbonated or has a large amount of water added, it is classified under 2202. The specific judgment is based on ingredient proportions and industry standards. What regulatory documents are required for importing grapefruit juice? Generally, a certificate of origin, health certificate, ingredient test report, etc., are required. Specific regulatory conditions vary by country; consult the General Administration of Customs' Import and Export Tariff or local customs. How to fill in 'Processing Method' in the declaration elements for grapefruit juice? It should specify in detail whether it is concentrated, reconstituted, diluted, sweetened, fermented, etc. For example, 'concentrated and reconstituted, unfermented', 'not from concentrate, 5% sugar added'. Avoid writing 'processed' in general terms. If grapefruit juice is mixed with other fruit juices, how is it classified? If grapefruit juice is the main component, it can still be classified under 200921; if grapefruit juice is not the main component in the mixed juice, it is classified under 200990. The proportions of each component must be declared. Is the HS code for grapefruit juice consistent across different countries? The first 6 digits of the HS code are unified internationally, but countries may have different subdivisions in the latter digits. For example, the U.S. HTS may be 2009.21.4000. It is recommended to check the customs tariff of the destination country.
Q: How to determine whether grapefruit juice is fermented?
A: Fermentation usually refers to alcohol content exceeding 0.5% by volume, which can be confirmed by test reports. If unfermented, classify under 200921; if fermented, classify under 2206. Alcohol concentration test data must be provided at declaration.
Q: Are both concentrated grapefruit juice and reconstituted grapefruit juice classified under 200921?
A: Yes, whether concentrated or reconstituted, as long as the basic characteristics of juice are maintained and it is unfermented, it is classified under 200921. However, concentrated juice may involve different declaration elements, such as Brix.
Q: Does adding sugar to grapefruit juice affect classification?
A: No, heading 2009 allows the addition of sugar or other sweeteners, as long as the basic characteristics of juice are not altered. However, the sugar content must be declared; if the sugar content is too high and it becomes syrup, it may be classified under 1704 or 2106.
Q: How to distinguish grapefruit juice from grapefruit-flavored beverages?
A: The key is the juice content. Generally, juice content ≥50% is considered fruit juice and classified under 200921; if the juice content is low and it is carbonated or has a large amount of water added, it is classified under 2202. The specific judgment is based on ingredient proportions and industry standards.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for importing grapefruit juice?
A: Generally, a certificate of origin, health certificate, ingredient test report, etc., are required. Specific regulatory conditions vary by country; consult the General Administration of Customs' Import and Export Tariff or local customs.
Q: How to fill in 'Processing Method' in the declaration elements for grapefruit juice?
A: It should specify in detail whether it is concentrated, reconstituted, diluted, sweetened, fermented, etc. For example, 'concentrated and reconstituted, unfermented', 'not from concentrate, 5% sugar added'. Avoid writing 'processed' in general terms.
Q: If grapefruit juice is mixed with other fruit juices, how is it classified?
A: If grapefruit juice is the main component, it can still be classified under 200921; if grapefruit juice is not the main component in the mixed juice, it is classified under 200990. The proportions of each component must be declared.
Q: Is the HS code for grapefruit juice consistent across different countries?
A: The first 6 digits of the HS code are unified internationally, but countries may have different subdivisions in the latter digits. For example, the U.S. HTS may be 2009.21.4000. It is recommended to check the customs tariff of the destination country.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.