Analysis
HTS 2208.20.40 covers valued over $3.43/liter under heading 2208 (undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent…).
Goods classified here enter the United States duty-free at the general (normal trade relations) rate, as do about 87% of the 39 tariff lines in chapter 22. Chapter 99 measures such as Section 301 or 232 can still apply on top, depending on where the goods come from.
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 312130 (Wineries), an industry of 4,560 US establishments employing 65,478 people. That is the industry code a US manufacturer of the same product would normally use.
All 5 neighbouring lines carry the same duty-free rate, so a borderline choice between them changes the statistics reported, not the duty paid.
Every edition we compared, from Jan 2023 to Oct 2026 (Rev. 22), shows the same general rate of Free.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2208.20.10 | Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marc (grape brandy): pisco and singani | Free |
| 2208.20.20 | Valued not over $2.38/liter | Free |
| 2208.20.30 | Valued over $2.38 but not over $3.43/liter | Free |
| 2208.20.50 | Valued not over $2.38/liter | Free |
| 2208.20.60 | Valued over $2.38/liter | Free |