Chapter 22 covers beverages, spirits and vinegar, including water (including mineral water and aerated water), alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits, etc.), vinegar and its substitutes. This chapter is the core chapter for the classification of alcoholic products in international trade, involving various beverages made by fermentation, distillation and other processes, but excluding pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and other products excluded by the notes to this chapter. Heading 2204 covers wine of fresh grapes, including ordinary wine, sparkling wine, fortified wine, etc., whether or not with added alcohol or sugar. However, it is limited to wine made from grapes and does not include other fruit wines (classified under 2206) or beer (classified under 2203). Under this heading, further subdivision is made according to container capacity and alcoholic strength, etc. Code 220421 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits 22 represent Chapter 22, beverages, spirits and vinegar; the 3rd-4th digits 04 represent heading 2204, wine of fresh grapes; the 5th-6th digits 21 represent subheading 2204.21, namely wine in containers of a capacity not exceeding 2 liters. The 5th digit 2 indicates small packaging (not exceeding 2 liters), and the 6th digit 1 indicates a specific subdivision. Under this subheading, further subdivision may be made according to whether alcohol has been added, whether it is sparkling, etc. (such as 2204.21.10, etc.). This product is wine in small packaging, with a container capacity not exceeding 2 liters, and made from fresh grapes, so it is classified under 220421. If the capacity exceeds 2 liters, it is classified under 220422; if it is sparkling wine, it is classified under 220410; if it is other fruit wine, it is classified under 2206; if it is beer, it is classified under 2203.
Chapter
Chapter 22 covers beverages, spirits and vinegar, including water (including mineral water and aerated water), alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits, etc.), vinegar and its substitutes. This chapter is the core chapter for the classification of alcoholic products in international trade, involving various beverages made by fermentation, distillation and other processes, but excluding pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and other products excluded by the notes to this chapter.
Heading
Heading 2204 covers wine of fresh grapes, including ordinary wine, sparkling wine, fortified wine, etc., whether or not with added alcohol or sugar. However, it is limited to wine made from grapes and does not include other fruit wines (classified under 2206) or beer (classified under 2203). Under this heading, further subdivision is made according to container capacity and alcoholic strength, etc.
Digit Breakdown
Code 220421 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits 22 represent Chapter 22, beverages, spirits and vinegar; the 3rd-4th digits 04 represent heading 2204, wine of fresh grapes; the 5th-6th digits 21 represent subheading 2204.21, namely wine in containers of a capacity not exceeding 2 liters. The 5th digit 2 indicates small packaging (not exceeding 2 liters), and the 6th digit 1 indicates a specific subdivision. Under this subheading, further subdivision may be made according to whether alcohol has been added, whether it is sparkling, etc. (such as 2204.21.10, etc.).
Classification Basis
This product is wine in small packaging, with a container capacity not exceeding 2 liters, and made from fresh grapes, so it is classified under 220421. If the capacity exceeds 2 liters, it is classified under 220422; if it is sparkling wine, it is classified under 220410; if it is other fruit wine, it is classified under 2206; if it is beer, it is classified under 2203.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name (Chinese and foreign language): The specific name of the declared product, such as 'red wine' or 'white wine', with the foreign language name indicated. Brand: The manufacturer or trademark brand, such as 'Lafite' or 'Changyu'. Region of origin: The legally defined region or geographical indication of the wine, such as 'Bordeaux' or 'Napa Valley'. Alcohol concentration: Declare the actual alcoholic strength by volume percentage, such as '12.5%vol'. Packaging specifications: Container type and capacity, such as '750ml/bottle, 6 bottles/carton'. Vintage: The grape harvest year, such as '2018'. Grape variety: The wine grape variety, such as 'Cabernet Sauvignon' or 'Chardonnay'. Manufacturer name: The name of the winery or manufacturing enterprise. Product name: Red Wine; Brand: Lafite; Region of origin: Bordeaux, France; Alcohol concentration: 12.5%vol; Packaging specifications: 750ml/bottle, 6 bottles/carton; Vintage: 2018; Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon; Manufacturer: Chateau Lafite. Failure to accurately declare container capacity, resulting in classification under 220422 (>2 liters) instead of 220421. Incorrect unit for alcohol concentration, such as writing '12.5%' instead of '12.5%vol'. Sparkling wine mistakenly classified under 220421, when it should actually be classified under 220410.
Product name (Chinese and foreign language)
The specific name of the declared product, such as 'red wine' or 'white wine', with the foreign language name indicated.
⚠️ Only writing 'wine' without distinguishing color or type.
Brand
The manufacturer or trademark brand, such as 'Lafite' or 'Changyu'.
⚠️ Confusing the brand with the manufacturer, or failing to declare the Chinese translated name.
Region of origin
The legally defined region or geographical indication of the wine, such as 'Bordeaux' or 'Napa Valley'.
⚠️ Only writing the country without specifying the region.
Alcohol concentration
Declare the actual alcoholic strength by volume percentage, such as '12.5%vol'.
⚠️ Failure to indicate the unit or inconsistency with the actual value.
Packaging specifications
Container type and capacity, such as '750ml/bottle, 6 bottles/carton'.
⚠️ Failure to indicate capacity, resulting in classification errors.
Vintage
The grape harvest year, such as '2018'.
⚠️ Incorrectly reporting a vintage for non-vintage wine.
Grape variety
The wine grape variety, such as 'Cabernet Sauvignon' or 'Chardonnay'.
⚠️ Failure to list all blended varieties.
Manufacturer name
The name of the winery or manufacturing enterprise.
⚠️ Confusing it with the brand.
Example： Product name: Red Wine; Brand: Lafite; Region of origin: Bordeaux, France; Alcohol concentration: 12.5%vol; Packaging specifications: 750ml/bottle, 6 bottles/carton; Vintage: 2018; Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon; Manufacturer: Chateau Lafite.
Common Mistakes：
Failure to accurately declare container capacity, resulting in classification under 220422 (>2 liters) instead of 220421.
Incorrect unit for alcohol concentration, such as writing '12.5%' instead of '12.5%vol'.
Sparkling wine mistakenly classified under 220421, when it should actually be classified under 220410.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) made from fresh grapes; 2) container capacity not exceeding 2 liters; 3) not sparkling wine. It is also necessary to confirm whether alcohol or sugar has been added, but added alcohol does not affect classification under 2204, only subsequent subheadings. If it is sparkling wine, it is classified under 220410; if the capacity exceeds 2 liters, it is classified under 220422. 220410 Sparkling wine: Sparkling wine is classified under 220410 because it contains carbon dioxide, while still wine is classified under 220421. 220422 Large-container wine: Wine in containers with a capacity exceeding 2 liters is classified under 220422, while that not exceeding 2 liters is classified under 220421. 220600 Other fermented beverages: Other fruit wines (such as cider) or mead are classified under 2206, not made from grapes. 220300 Beer: Beer is brewed from malt and classified under 2203, with raw materials different from wine. 220820 Distilled wine: Distilled spirits such as brandy are classified under 2208, not fermented original wine. Is it made from fresh grapes? Is the container capacity not exceeding 2 liters? Is it sparkling wine? Has alcohol or sugar been added? Is it intended for distillation?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) made from fresh grapes; 2) container capacity not exceeding 2 liters; 3) not sparkling wine. It is also necessary to confirm whether alcohol or sugar has been added, but added alcohol does not affect classification under 2204, only subsequent subheadings. If it is sparkling wine, it is classified under 220410; if the capacity exceeds 2 liters, it is classified under 220422.
Confused Codes：
220410 - Sparkling wine
Sparkling wine is classified under 220410 because it contains carbon dioxide, while still wine is classified under 220421.
220422 - Large-container wine
Wine in containers with a capacity exceeding 2 liters is classified under 220422, while that not exceeding 2 liters is classified under 220421.
220600 - Other fermented beverages
Other fruit wines (such as cider) or mead are classified under 2206, not made from grapes.
220300 - Beer
Beer is brewed from malt and classified under 2203, with raw materials different from wine.
220820 - Distilled wine
Distilled spirits such as brandy are classified under 2208, not fermented original wine.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it made from fresh grapes?
✓ Is the container capacity not exceeding 2 liters?
✓ Is it sparkling wine?
✓ Has alcohol or sugar been added?
✓ Is it intended for distillation?
❓ FAQ
How can it be determined whether wine belongs under 220421? It must simultaneously satisfy: made from fresh grapes, container capacity not exceeding 2 liters, and not sparkling wine. If it is sparkling wine, it is classified under 220410; if the capacity exceeds 2 liters, it is classified under 220422. What is the main difference between 220421 and 220422? The main difference is container capacity: not exceeding 2 liters is classified under 220421, and exceeding 2 liters is classified under 220422. The packaging specifications must be accurately provided at declaration. How is wine with added alcohol classified? Wine with added alcohol is still classified under 2204, but it may affect subheading subdivision. If the alcoholic strength exceeds a certain threshold, it may be classified under 2208 (distilled spirits). Can sparkling wine be classified under 220421? No. Sparkling wine should be classified under 220410, regardless of capacity. What elements must be declared when importing wine under 220421? Product name, brand, region of origin, alcohol concentration, packaging specifications, vintage, grape variety, manufacturer, etc. must be declared. How can the tax rate for 220421 be checked? It can be checked in the Chinese Customs Import and Export Tariff or through the General Administration of Customs website or the single window. Tax rates may change due to free trade agreements, etc. What is the difference between 220421 and 220600? 220421 is made from grapes, while 220600 is other fermented beverages (such as cider). The raw materials are different. What should be noted when selling small-packaged wine through cross-border e-commerce? It is necessary to ensure accurate declaration, comply with customs classification, and pay attention to requirements such as origin and labeling.
Q: How can it be determined whether wine belongs under 220421?
A: It must simultaneously satisfy: made from fresh grapes, container capacity not exceeding 2 liters, and not sparkling wine. If it is sparkling wine, it is classified under 220410; if the capacity exceeds 2 liters, it is classified under 220422.
Q: What is the main difference between 220421 and 220422?
A: The main difference is container capacity: not exceeding 2 liters is classified under 220421, and exceeding 2 liters is classified under 220422. The packaging specifications must be accurately provided at declaration.
Q: How is wine with added alcohol classified?
A: Wine with added alcohol is still classified under 2204, but it may affect subheading subdivision. If the alcoholic strength exceeds a certain threshold, it may be classified under 2208 (distilled spirits).
Q: Can sparkling wine be classified under 220421?
A: No. Sparkling wine should be classified under 220410, regardless of capacity.
Q: What elements must be declared when importing wine under 220421?
A: Product name, brand, region of origin, alcohol concentration, packaging specifications, vintage, grape variety, manufacturer, etc. must be declared.
Q: How can the tax rate for 220421 be checked?
A: It can be checked in the Chinese Customs Import and Export Tariff or through the General Administration of Customs website or the single window. Tax rates may change due to free trade agreements, etc.
Q: What is the difference between 220421 and 220600?
A: 220421 is made from grapes, while 220600 is other fermented beverages (such as cider). The raw materials are different.
Q: What should be noted when selling small-packaged wine through cross-border e-commerce?
A: It is necessary to ensure accurate declaration, comply with customs classification, and pay attention to requirements such as origin and labeling.
⚠️ 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.