A bill to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide a uniform 8-digit subheading number for all whiskies.

New tariff code for whisky importers

If enacted, the bill would replace three whisky tariff lines with one 8-digit subheading, 2208.30.00, labeled Whiskies. It would designate that category Free and set a price reference of $2.04 per proof liter. The U.S. International Trade Commission would add eight statistical suffixes to show type (Irish or Scotch; Bourbon; Rye; Other) and container size (containers not over 4 liters versus over 4 liters) using suffixes .0010, .0015, .0020, .0025, .0030, .0035, .0040, and .0045. The changes would apply to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the date that is 15 days after enactment. Importers, customs brokers, warehouse operators, and beverage distributors would need to change how they classify and report imports. Consumers and U.S. buyers of imported whisky could see indirect price or supply effects.