HS Code 22.05 – Vermouth and other wine of fresh grapes, flavoured with plants or aromatic substances

HS code 2205 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vermouth and other wine of fresh grapes, flavoured with plants or aromatic substances. HS Code 2205 specifically covers 'Vermouth and other wine of fresh grapes, flavoured with plants or aromatic substances'. This heading is a specialized subset of grape-based wines, distinctly characterized by the addition of flavoring agents derived from plants or aromatic substances. The core requirement is that the base must be a wine of fresh grapes, ensuring its connection to heading 2204, from which it deviates by the flavoring process. This includes all types of vermouth – dry, sweet, red, and white – as well as other aromatized wines, such as those infused with herbs, spices, or fruit essences, provided the base remains grape wine. The scope does not extend to spirits or liqueurs (2208), nor to unflavored grape wines (2204). Classification under 2205 is critical for trade compliance because aromatized wines often face different excise duties, tariffs, and labeling regulations compared to unflavored wines or distilled spirits. Historically, vermouth originated as a medicinal tonic in Italy and France, evolving into a popular aperitif and cocktail ingredient. This heading highlights the diversity within Chapter 22's 'Beverages, spirits and vinegar,' providing a distinct category for products that bridge the gap between traditional wine and more complex spirit-based concoctions.

Dry White Vermouth, Sweet Red Vermouth, Extra Dry Vermouth, Blanc Vermouth, Rosé Vermouth, Italian Sweet Vermouth, French Dry Vermouth, Americano Wine, Quinquina Wine, Gentian-Flavored Wine, Cinnamon-Spiced Wine, Herbal Infused Wine, Citrus-Flavored Grape Wine, Absinthe-Flavored Wine (not distilled absinthe), Fruit Essence-Infused Grape Wine, Aromatized Aperitif Wine, Anise-Flavored Wine, Cardamom-Spiced Wine, Clove-Infused Wine, Ginger-Flavored Wine, Mint-Flavored Wine, Rosemary-Infused Wine, Thyme-Flavored Wine, Vanilla-Flavored Grape Wine

A common classification error for 2205 is confusing it with unflavored grape wines under 2204. The key distinction is the explicit 'flavoured with plants or aromatic substances' requirement for 2205. Another mistake is classifying high-alcohol spirit-based beverages or liqueurs under 2205 instead of 2208, especially if they contain botanicals. While 2205 products are flavored, their base must unequivocally be wine of fresh grapes, not a distilled spirit. Occasionally, non-grape fruit wines flavored with botanicals might be misclassified here, but they should fall under 2206 as other fermented beverages. The 'wine of fresh grapes' and 'flavored' criteria are paramount for correct classification.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2205 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($288M, 37% of world exports), France ($140M) and Spain ($93M). World exports came to about $769M, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2205 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($148M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($98M) and Spain ($70M). World imports came to about $832M, 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.

HS code 2205 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 22 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (22) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (05) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.