When Craft Beer Meets HS Codes

Three years ago, I handled a case involving the import of German abbey beer. The client insisted that their 12-degree beer should be classified under HS code 2203.00.0090 (other fermented beverages). However, actual testing revealed an alcohol content of 14.2%, leading to its final classification under 2208.90.7900 (distilled alcoholic beverages), resulting in a tariff difference of 23%. This case teaches us:The "degree game" of beer starts right from its commodity classification..

Triple certification system for import qualifications

• Basic qualifications
  • Filing of Consignor and Consignee (Valid for 5 Years)
  • Sanitary Certificate of Origin (requires authentication by the embassy/consulate)
• Special Requirements
  • Liquor Distribution License (Provincial Commerce Department)
  • Chinese Back Label Filing (requires 30 working days in advance)
• Emerging requirements
  • Heavy Metal Migration Test Report (Newly Added in 2025)
  • Organic Certification Transition Documents (for Organic Beer)

The "three-temperature" selection in the transportation plan

Real Case: Customs Clearance Dispute of Belgian Golden Beer

In 2024, an importer declared a beer with an alcohol content of 9 degrees, but during port sampling inspections, the actual alcohol content was found to be 10.5%. Due to a failure to update promptly,1. Verifyimport and export"Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System" 2025 Edition21., resulting in:

• Misclassification leads to deletion and re-declaration.
• The demurrage fee exceeds 30% of the cargo value.
• The loss due to shelf life expiration reaches 15%.

Ultimately, by applying for an emergency advance classification ruling and implementing a bonded warehouse repackaging solution, 65% of the economic losses were recovered.

Three Major "Pitfalls" Frequently Encountered by Importers

• Degree cognition bias: Malt degree ≠ alcohol content, subject to the test report.
• Translation Pitfalls of Labels:"Craft Beer" may not comply with GB 7718 if directly translated.
• Transportation plan mismatch: High-alcohol beer should be protected from direct sunlight and sudden temperature changes.

I remember last year when a client came to me with a craft beer sample, and the bottle was boldly labeled "19°P." I immediately advised him to conduct dual testing, which revealed a malt concentration of 19% but an alcohol content of only 8.2%, successfully preventing it from being mistakenly classified as a distilled spirit. That's just how this industry is,The devil is in the details, and so is the angel..