HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 22.01 – Waters, including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured; ice and snow
What HS 22.01 covers
Heading 2201 covers 'Waters, including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured; ice and snow.' This classification is fundamental for the trade of basic, unadulterated water and its frozen forms. The critical defining characteristic is the absence of any added sugar, sweetening matter, or flavoring. This includes natural mineral waters, which are sourced from underground reservoirs and contain specific minerals; artificial mineral waters, which are prepared by adding minerals to purified water; and plain aerated waters (soda water, seltzer) that are simply carbonated without other additives. The heading also explicitly includes ice and snow, whether in packaged form for consumption or industrial use (e.g., ice blocks, crushed ice). The scope is strictly limited to pure water and ice, distinguishing it sharply from flavored or sweetened beverages. For trade compliance, accurate classification is essential due to differing tariff rates, health and safety standards, and origin requirements, particularly for mineral waters which often boast specific health benefits and are subject to rigorous testing. Historically, bottled water trade has grown significantly, driven by health consciousness and convenience. This heading fits squarely within Chapter 22, which is dedicated to 'Beverages, Spirits and Vinegar,' providing the foundational classification for water before any modifications.
- Covers
- Natural still mineral water
- Sparkling natural mineral water
- Plain bottled spring water
- Purified drinking water (bottled)
- Distilled water (for drinking)
- Plain aerated water (soda water)
- Unflavored seltzer water
- Glacier water (bottled)
- Bulk potable water (e.g., in tankers)
- Bagged ice cubes
- Crushed ice for commercial use
- Large ice blocks
- Dry ice (if considered 'ice' for consumption/preservation)
- Snow (for specific applications like ski resorts)
- Demineralized drinking water
- Artesian well water (bottled)
- Plain carbonated water
- Alkaline water (unflavored)
- Electrolyte water (unflavored)
- Water from boreholes
- Bottled tap water
- Filtered drinking water
- Mountain spring water
- Plain oxygenated water.
- Examples
A European distributor regularly imports premium natural sparkling mineral water from a specific source in France, such as Evian or Perrier, shipping large volumes via intermodal transport to major cities across the UK and Germany. A Canadian company specializing in bulk water exports ships large quantities of glacier water from British Columbia to bottled water companies in the Middle East, primarily Saudi Arabia and UAE, using specialized ocean tankers. A U.S. firm imports industrial-grade ice blocks from Mexico for use in commercial fishing operations along the Gulf Coast, transported by refrigerated trucks across the border.
Subheadings under 22.01 2
Codes often confused with 22.01
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for products under 2201 occurs when they contain any added flavoring or sweetening matter, even if minimal. Such products immediately fall under 2202 (Waters, including mineral and aerated waters, containing added sugar or sweetening matter, flavoured; other non-alcoholic beverages...). Traders often overlook subtle 'natural' flavorings or very small amounts of sweeteners. Another mistake is classifying water intended for industrial use, not for drinking, which might fall under 2853 (Other inorganic compounds; liquid air; compressed air...) if it's specialized or demineralized for specific industrial processes. The absolute absence of added flavor or sugar is the crucial differentiator for 2201.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2201, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2201 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $1.9B 32% of world exports
- 2 Italy $1.1B 18% of world exports
- 3 China $770M 13% of world exports
World total: $6.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.2B 20% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $722M 13% of world imports
- 3 France $377M 6.6% of world imports
World total: $5.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Questions about HS 22.01
What is HS code 2201?
HS code 2201 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Waters, including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured; ice and snow. Heading 2201 covers 'Waters, including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured; ice and snow.' This classification is fundamental for the trade of basic, unadulterated water and its frozen forms. The critical defining characteristic is the absence of any added sugar, sweetening matter, or flavoring. This includes natural mineral waters, which are sourced from underground reservoirs and contain specific minerals; artificial mineral waters, which are prepared by adding minerals to purified water; and plain aerated waters (soda water, seltzer) that are simply carbonated without other additives. The heading also explicitly includes ice and snow, whether in packaged form for consumption or industrial use (e.g., ice blocks, crushed ice). The scope is strictly limited to pure water and ice, distinguishing it sharply from flavored or sweetened beverages. For trade compliance, accurate classification is essential due to differing tariff rates, health and safety standards, and origin requirements, particularly for mineral waters which often boast specific health benefits and are subject to rigorous testing. Historically, bottled water trade has grown significantly, driven by health consciousness and convenience. This heading fits squarely within Chapter 22, which is dedicated to 'Beverages, Spirits and Vinegar,' providing the foundational classification for water before any modifications.
What products fall under HS code 2201?
Natural still mineral water, sparkling natural mineral water, plain bottled spring water, purified drinking water (bottled), distilled water (for drinking), plain aerated water (soda water), unflavored seltzer water, glacier water (bottled), bulk potable water (e.g., in tankers), bagged ice cubes, crushed ice for commercial use, large ice blocks, dry ice (if considered 'ice' for consumption/preservation), snow (for specific applications like ski resorts), demineralized drinking water, artesian well water (bottled), plain carbonated water, alkaline water (unflavored), electrolyte water (unflavored), water from boreholes, bottled tap water, filtered drinking water, mountain spring water, plain oxygenated water.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2201?
The most common misclassification for products under 2201 occurs when they contain any added flavoring or sweetening matter, even if minimal. Such products immediately fall under 2202 (Waters, including mineral and aerated waters, containing added sugar or sweetening matter, flavoured; other non-alcoholic beverages...). Traders often overlook subtle 'natural' flavorings or very small amounts of sweeteners. Another mistake is classifying water intended for industrial use, not for drinking, which might fall under 2853 (Other inorganic compounds; liquid air; compressed air...) if it's specialized or demineralized for specific industrial processes. The absolute absence of added flavor or sugar is the crucial differentiator for 2201.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2201?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2201 in UN Comtrade data were France ($1.9B, 32% of world exports), Italy ($1.1B) and China ($770M). World exports came to about $6.0B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 2201?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2201 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.2B, 20% of world imports), Hong Kong ($722M) and France ($377M). World imports came to about $5.7B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 2201 structured?
HS code 2201 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 22 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (22) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (01) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.