HS Code 2208Ethyl alcohol, undenatured; of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80% volume; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages
7 six-digit codes · Heading 8 of 9 in Chapter 22 · World Customs Organization Harmonized System
HS code 2208 is where customs files whisky, vodka, gin, rum and most other spirits, plus weaker undenatured ethyl alcohol. This page helps you pick the right code and find who trades it.
No heading in Chapter 22 is cut finer than 2208. Its 7 six-digit codes, 220820 to 220890, are the most any single heading in the chapter carries — “Ethyl alcohol, undenatured; of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80% volume; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages” is where this chapter gets specific. The heading is number 8 of 9 in Chapter 22, Beverages, spirits and vinegar, which runs to 24 six-digit codes in all.
Six-digit codes under heading 2208
| HS Code | Import–export description |
|---|---|
| 220820 | Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marc |
| 220830 | Whiskies |
| 220840 | Rum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane products |
| 220850 | Gin and geneva |
| 220860 | Vodka |
| 220870 | Liqueurs and cordials |
| 220890 | Spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages; n.e.c. in heading no. 2208 |
What HS code 2208 covers
Think of this heading as the drinks cabinet of the tariff. It holds the strong drinks made by distilling, such as whisky and gin. It also holds liqueurs and other spirituous beverages.
It holds one more thing: plain ethyl alcohol that is undenatured and weaker than 80 percent alcoholic strength by volume. Undenatured means nothing has been added to make the alcohol unfit to drink.
Some traders search for the HSN code 2208. That is the same code. India and many other countries use the same first six digits as the World Customs Organization system.
Six-digit codes for whisky, vodka, gin, rum and more
Each well-known spirit has its own subheading, so match the drink on your invoice to the right line.
Whisky goes under 220830. Vodka goes under 220860. Rum goes under 220840, together with other spirits distilled from fermented sugar-cane products.
Brandy and other grape spirits belong in 220820. This covers spirits distilled from grape wine or from grape marc, which is the skin and pulp left after pressing.
Liqueurs and cordials have their own line, 220870. If a spirit fits none of these, use 220890, the catch-all for other spirits and spirituous beverages.
How to classify spirits: 2208 vs 2207 and other Chapter 22 headings
Start with strength and treatment. It goes to 2207. Ethyl alcohol that has been denatured also goes to 2207, whatever its strength. See HS 2207 for the full rules.
Next, ask how the drink was made. Distilled drinks stay with 2208. Fermented drinks that are not distilled go elsewhere. Beer made from malt is in 2203.
Waters and soft drinks sit in 2201 and 2202. Vinegar sits in 2209. If you are still unsure, run the product through the HS code classifier before you file.
Find importers and exporters of spirits under HS 2208
Import export data for spirits comes from customs filings. Each filing becomes a shipment record. Buyers read these records to see who imports a product. Sellers read them to see who exports it.
EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily.
You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo. Try the whole heading, or a single line such as 220830 for whisky or 220860 for vodka.
Related
- Chapter 22: Beverages, spirits and vinegar
- HS 2207 ethyl alcohol 80% vol or higher
- HS 2204 wine of fresh grapes
- HS 2203 beer made from malt
- HS 2205 vermouth
- HS 2206 cider, mead and sake
- HS 2201 waters
- HS 2202 non-alcoholic beverages
- HS 2209 vinegar
- All HS code chapters
- Spirits import data
- Spirits export data
- Find spirits importers
- Find spirits suppliers
- HS code classifier
- Book a free demo
Nearby headings in Chapter 22
- 2201Waters, including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters…2 codes
- 2202Waters, including mineral and aerated waters, containing added sugar or…3 codes
- 2203Beer made from malt1 code
- 2204Wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines; grape must other than that…5 codes
- 2205Vermouth and other wine of fresh grapes, flavoured with plants or aromatic…2 codes
- 2206Fermented beverages, n.e.c. in chapter 22; (e.g. cider, perry, mead, sake)1 code
- 2207Ethyl alcohol, undenatured; of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or…2 codes
- 2209Vinegar and substitutes for vinegar obtained from acetic acid1 code
Who ships under 2208?
EximDataX tracks the live import–export records filed under this heading and the 7 codes beneath it: named buyers, suppliers, quantities and values from official customs feeds.
Section IV: Prepared Foodstuffs; Beverages, Spirits, Tobacco, chapters 16–24.
HS Code 2208: common questions
What is HS code 2208?
It also covers undenatured ethyl alcohol weaker than 80 percent by volume.
What is the HS code for whisky?
Whisky is 220830, listed as Whiskies.
What is the HS code for vodka, gin and rum?
Vodka is 220860. Gin and geneva are 220850. Rum is 220840.
What is the difference between HS 2207 and 2208?
Strength and treatment decide it. Heading 2207 takes undenatured alcohol of 80 percent by volume or more, and any denatured alcohol. Heading 2208 takes the weaker undenatured alcohol and the drinks.
Where do liqueurs and unlisted spirits go?
Liqueurs and cordials go to 220870. A spirit or spirituous drink that is named nowhere else in the heading goes to 220890.
How can I find importers and exporters of spirits?
Use the buyer data and supplier data pages, or look up the code in import data and export data. You can also book a free demo to see live records.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
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