HS Code:
This category pertains to alcoholic beverage samples, limited to specific volumes (not more than 300 ml for malt beverages, 150 ml for wines, and 100 ml for other alcoholic beverages), intended for use in the United States solely for soliciting orders by persons importing these beverages in commercial quantities. These samples are typically used for marketing, trade shows, or buyer evaluations to facilitate bulk imports. The Harmonized System (HS) Code for this category is often classified under 2203.00 for malt beverages, 2204.10-2204.30 for wines, and 2208.20-2208.90 for spirits and other alcoholic beverages, with specific annotations for sample sizes and usage restrictions. This niche category plays a critical role in the international trade of alcoholic beverages by allowing importers to test and promote products before committing to large-scale purchases.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $15 million USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database & U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
$4.5 million USD
30% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$3.2 million USD
21.3% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$2.8 million USD
18.7% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$1.5 million USD
10% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$1.2 million USD
8% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
Free (duty-free for samples under specific volume limits and designated for soliciting orders)
Highest Rate
Up to 5.3 cents per liter for certain malt beverages if misclassified or exceeding sample limits
Lowest Rate
Free under U.S. tariff provisions for samples
Growing demand for craft and specialty beverages
Increased importation of sample sizes for niche wines, craft beers, and artisanal spirits to test U.S. market interest, driving trade volume up by 8% annually.
2021-2022
Digital marketing integration
Exporters are pairing physical samples with virtual tastings and online campaigns, enhancing the effectiveness of samples in securing bulk orders.
2022
Sustainability concerns
Push for eco-friendly packaging for samples to align with U.S. consumer preferences for sustainable products, influencing exporter strategies.
2022-2023
The U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued new guidelines for labeling and documentation of alcoholic beverage samples to prevent misuse and ensure compliance with trade solicitation rules.
March 2023
Increased scrutiny on importers to provide detailed documentation, potentially slowing down clearance processes but ensuring regulatory compliance.
Negotiations between the EU and U.S. have led to mutual recognition of sample size limits and duty-free status for promotional alcoholic beverages, facilitating easier market access.
July 2022
Boosted trade volumes from EU countries like France and Italy by reducing administrative barriers, expected to increase sample imports by 10% in 2023.
Due to lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many alcoholic beverage trade shows have adopted hybrid formats, increasing the demand for sample shipments to accompany virtual presentations.
January 2023
Expanded reach for exporters targeting U.S. importers, with a 15% rise in sample shipments tied to virtual events compared to pre-pandemic levels.