Chapter 20 covers preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants, including food prepared by methods other than vinegar preservation, sugaring, or freezing (such as cooking, concentration, fermentation). This chapter does not include goods that have undergone only simple preservation (classified in Chapters 7 and 8) or baked goods (Chapter 19). Deep-processed apple juice products are mainly classified in this chapter. Heading 2009 covers unfermented and non-alcoholic fruit juices (including grape juice) and vegetable juices, as well as fermented de-alcoholized beverages. It includes concentrated juice, original juice, mixed juice, etc. However, it does not include beverages that still contain alcohol after fermentation (Chapter 22) or beverages with added other ingredients such as fruit pulp or syrup (which may be classified under other headings of Chapter 20 or Chapter 22). First 2 digits 20: represents Chapter 20, i.e., preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants. Digits 3-4, 09: represents heading 2009, i.e., unfermented and non-alcoholic fruit juices and vegetable juices. Digits 5-6, 79: represents subheading 200979, i.e., other apple juice. Among these, 2009.71 is apple juice with a Brix value not exceeding 20, and 2009.79 is other apple juice (usually referring to concentrated apple juice with a Brix value exceeding 20 or apple juice not otherwise specified). The product is apple juice and does not fall under apple juice with a Brix value ≤20 (2009.71), therefore it is classified under 2009.79. If the apple juice has been fermented and has an alcohol content >0.5%, it is classified under Chapter 22; if it has only been simply pressed and not concentrated, it may be classified under 2009.71; if other ingredients such as fruit pulp have been added, it may be classified under 2009.89 or other subheadings.
Chapter
Chapter 20 covers preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants, including food prepared by methods other than vinegar preservation, sugaring, or freezing (such as cooking, concentration, fermentation). This chapter does not include goods that have undergone only simple preservation (classified in Chapters 7 and 8) or baked goods (Chapter 19). Deep-processed apple juice products are mainly classified in this chapter.
Heading
Heading 2009 covers unfermented and non-alcoholic fruit juices (including grape juice) and vegetable juices, as well as fermented de-alcoholized beverages. It includes concentrated juice, original juice, mixed juice, etc. However, it does not include beverages that still contain alcohol after fermentation (Chapter 22) or beverages with added other ingredients such as fruit pulp or syrup (which may be classified under other headings of Chapter 20 or Chapter 22).
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 20: represents Chapter 20, i.e., preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants. Digits 3-4, 09: represents heading 2009, i.e., unfermented and non-alcoholic fruit juices and vegetable juices. Digits 5-6, 79: represents subheading 200979, i.e., other apple juice. Among these, 2009.71 is apple juice with a Brix value not exceeding 20, and 2009.79 is other apple juice (usually referring to concentrated apple juice with a Brix value exceeding 20 or apple juice not otherwise specified).
Classification Basis
The product is apple juice and does not fall under apple juice with a Brix value ≤20 (2009.71), therefore it is classified under 2009.79. If the apple juice has been fermented and has an alcohol content >0.5%, it is classified under Chapter 22; if it has only been simply pressed and not concentrated, it may be classified under 2009.71; if other ingredients such as fruit pulp have been added, it may be classified under 2009.89 or other subheadings.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as "concentrated apple juice" or "apple juice." Ingredient Content: List the juice content, Brix, additives, etc., such as "apple juice 100%" or "concentrated apple juice, Brix 70." Processing Method: Describe the processing technique, such as "pressing, concentration, sterilization, filling," etc. Packaging Specifications: Declare the packaging type and net weight, such as "25 kg/drum" or "200 ml/bottle." Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "none." Brix Value: Declare the Brix value of the apple juice, used to distinguish between 2009.71 and 2009.79. Country of Origin: Declare the country (region) of origin of the commodity, used to determine tax rates and trade policies. Product Name: Concentrated apple juice; Ingredient Content: Apple juice 100%, Brix 70; Processing Method: Pressing, concentration, sterilization; Packaging Specifications: 25 kg/drum; Brand: None; Brix Value: 70; Country of Origin: China. Failing to declare the Brix value, resulting in inability to distinguish between 2009.71 and 2009.79. Mistakenly reporting concentrated apple juice as original juice, affecting classification. Ignoring the degree of fermentation; if alcohol content >0.5%, it should be classified under Chapter 22.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as "concentrated apple juice" or "apple juice."
⚠️ Writing only "fruit juice" without specifying the type, or mistakenly writing it as "apple beverage."
Ingredient Content
List the juice content, Brix, additives, etc., such as "apple juice 100%" or "concentrated apple juice, Brix 70."
⚠️ Failing to indicate Brix, or incorrectly labeling it as "sugar content."
Processing Method
Describe the processing technique, such as "pressing, concentration, sterilization, filling," etc.
⚠️ Writing vaguely "processing" without distinguishing between concentrated and non-concentrated.
Packaging Specifications
Declare the packaging type and net weight, such as "25 kg/drum" or "200 ml/bottle."
⚠️ Failing to indicate the unit, or inconsistency with the actual product.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "none."
⚠️ Mistakenly reporting the manufacturer as the brand.
Brix Value
Declare the Brix value of the apple juice, used to distinguish between 2009.71 and 2009.79.
⚠️ Failing to provide or providing an incorrect value, leading to misclassification.
Country of Origin
Declare the country (region) of origin of the commodity, used to determine tax rates and trade policies.
⚠️ Mistakenly reporting the exporting country or transit country.
Example： Product Name: Concentrated apple juice; Ingredient Content: Apple juice 100%, Brix 70; Processing Method: Pressing, concentration, sterilization; Packaging Specifications: 25 kg/drum; Brand: None; Brix Value: 70; Country of Origin: China.
Common Mistakes：
Failing to declare the Brix value, resulting in inability to distinguish between 2009.71 and 2009.79.
Mistakenly reporting concentrated apple juice as original juice, affecting classification.
Ignoring the degree of fermentation; if alcohol content >0.5%, it should be classified under Chapter 22.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) The product is apple juice, belonging to fruit juice; 2) Unfermented or alcohol content ≤0.5%; 3) Whether the Brix value exceeds 20. If it exceeds 20, classify under 2009.79; if it does not exceed 20, classify under 2009.71. At the same time, it is necessary to confirm whether other ingredients have been added, as adding other ingredients may affect classification. 200971 Apple juice with a Brix value not exceeding 20: Brix value ≤20, usually original juice or low-concentrated juice; whereas 200979 has a Brix value >20, mostly concentrated apple juice. 220430 Other fermented beverages: Alcohol content >0.5%, and has undergone fermentation; whereas 200979 is unfermented or has extremely low alcohol content. 200989 Other fruit juices: Fruit juices other than apple juice, such as mango juice, pineapple juice, etc.; whereas 200979 specifically refers to apple juice. 200990 Mixed fruit juices: Made by mixing multiple fruit juices, where apple juice may be only one of the ingredients; whereas 200979 is pure apple juice. Confirm the product is apple juice, not other fruit juice. Confirm it is unfermented or alcohol content ≤0.5%. Confirm whether the Brix value exceeds 20. Confirm that no other ingredients such as fruit pulp or syrup have been added. Confirm that packaging specifications and brand information are accurate.
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) The product is apple juice, belonging to fruit juice; 2) Unfermented or alcohol content ≤0.5%; 3) Whether the Brix value exceeds 20. If it exceeds 20, classify under 2009.79; if it does not exceed 20, classify under 2009.71. At the same time, it is necessary to confirm whether other ingredients have been added, as adding other ingredients may affect classification.
Confused Codes：
200971 - Apple juice with a Brix value not exceeding 20
Brix value ≤20, usually original juice or low-concentrated juice; whereas 200979 has a Brix value >20, mostly concentrated apple juice.
220430 - Other fermented beverages
Alcohol content >0.5%, and has undergone fermentation; whereas 200979 is unfermented or has extremely low alcohol content.
200989 - Other fruit juices
Fruit juices other than apple juice, such as mango juice, pineapple juice, etc.; whereas 200979 specifically refers to apple juice.
200990 - Mixed fruit juices
Made by mixing multiple fruit juices, where apple juice may be only one of the ingredients; whereas 200979 is pure apple juice.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm the product is apple juice, not other fruit juice.
✓ Confirm it is unfermented or alcohol content ≤0.5%.
✓ Confirm whether the Brix value exceeds 20.
✓ Confirm that no other ingredients such as fruit pulp or syrup have been added.
✓ Confirm that packaging specifications and brand information are accurate.
❓ FAQ
How to query the HS code for apple juice? First confirm the product is apple juice, unfermented and with alcohol content ≤0.5%. Then measure the Brix value: if ≤20, classify under 2009.71; if >20, classify under 2009.79. Also note whether other ingredients have been added; if other ingredients have been added, it may be classified under other subheadings. What is the difference in HS codes between concentrated apple juice and original apple juice? Concentrated apple juice usually has a Brix value >20, classified under 2009.79; original apple juice has a Brix value ≤20, classified under 2009.71. However, if the original apple juice has an abnormally high Brix value, it may also be classified under 2009.79. If sugar is added to apple juice, will the HS code change? If after adding sugar the Brix value is still ≤20 and the basic characteristics of the juice are not changed, it may still be classified under 2009.71; if adding sugar causes the Brix value to be >20, it is classified under 2009.79. However, if adding sugar turns the product into syrup or a beverage, it may be classified under Chapter 22. How is fermented apple juice classified? If after fermentation the alcohol content is >0.5%, it is classified under Chapter 22 (such as 2204.30). If the alcohol content is ≤0.5%, it is still classified under 2009. What is the difference in HS codes between apple juice and apple beverage? Apple juice refers to products with 100% or close to 100% juice content, classified under 2009; apple beverage usually has lower juice content and added water, sugar, etc., and may be classified under Chapter 22 (such as 2202.99). When declaring apple juice, how should the Brix value be filled in? The Brix value should be filled in as the actual measured value, accurate to an integer or one decimal place. If it is concentrated juice, usually fill in the value after concentration; if it is original juice, fill in the value of the original juice. Does the packaging specification of apple juice affect the HS code? Usually it does not affect it; the HS code is mainly based on the essential attributes of the product. However, if the packaging is a small retail package and other ingredients have been added, it may affect classification. How to confirm whether apple juice has been fermented? It can be confirmed by testing the alcohol content. If the alcohol content is >0.5%, it is considered fermented; if ≤0.5%, it is considered unfermented. You can also check whether the production process includes a fermentation step.
Q: How to query the HS code for apple juice?
A: First confirm the product is apple juice, unfermented and with alcohol content ≤0.5%. Then measure the Brix value: if ≤20, classify under 2009.71; if >20, classify under 2009.79. Also note whether other ingredients have been added; if other ingredients have been added, it may be classified under other subheadings.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between concentrated apple juice and original apple juice?
A: Concentrated apple juice usually has a Brix value >20, classified under 2009.79; original apple juice has a Brix value ≤20, classified under 2009.71. However, if the original apple juice has an abnormally high Brix value, it may also be classified under 2009.79.
Q: If sugar is added to apple juice, will the HS code change?
A: If after adding sugar the Brix value is still ≤20 and the basic characteristics of the juice are not changed, it may still be classified under 2009.71; if adding sugar causes the Brix value to be >20, it is classified under 2009.79. However, if adding sugar turns the product into syrup or a beverage, it may be classified under Chapter 22.
Q: How is fermented apple juice classified?
A: If after fermentation the alcohol content is >0.5%, it is classified under Chapter 22 (such as 2204.30). If the alcohol content is ≤0.5%, it is still classified under 2009.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between apple juice and apple beverage?
A: Apple juice refers to products with 100% or close to 100% juice content, classified under 2009; apple beverage usually has lower juice content and added water, sugar, etc., and may be classified under Chapter 22 (such as 2202.99).
Q: When declaring apple juice, how should the Brix value be filled in?
A: The Brix value should be filled in as the actual measured value, accurate to an integer or one decimal place. If it is concentrated juice, usually fill in the value after concentration; if it is original juice, fill in the value of the original juice.
Q: Does the packaging specification of apple juice affect the HS code?
A: Usually it does not affect it; the HS code is mainly based on the essential attributes of the product. However, if the packaging is a small retail package and other ingredients have been added, it may affect classification.
Q: How to confirm whether apple juice has been fermented?
A: It can be confirmed by testing the alcohol content. If the alcohol content is >0.5%, it is considered fermented; if ≤0.5%, it is considered unfermented. You can also check whether the production process includes a fermentation step.
⚠️ 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.