2208.90.80.10 - Premixed cocktails or other mixed beverages, ready to consume as packaged, in containers each holding not over 4 liters

This HTS category, 2208.90.80.10, specifically covers premixed alcoholic beverages designed for immediate consumption as packaged. These "ready-to-drink" or RTD beverages encompass a wide array of cocktails, spirituous mixes, and other spirit-based concoctions where multiple alcoholic components and non-alcoholic ingredients have been combined and packaged for consumer sale. The defining characteristic for inclusion in this sub-category is the container size, which must not exceed 4 liters. Examples include pre-mixed margaritas, mojitos, hard seltzers with complex flavor profiles, and wine-based coolers with added spirits.

This classification is distinguished from its sibling category, 2208.90.80.20, by the quantity of the product per container. While both categories fall under "Other" mixed beverages within the broader "Other" subheading of 2208.90, the 2208.90.80.10 code is exclusively for products packaged in containers of 4 liters or less. The sibling category would therefore encompass similar premixed beverages packaged in larger formats.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS classification system, there are no further subdivisions under 2208.90.80.10. Classification professionals should focus on confirming that the product is indeed a premixed, ready-to-consume alcoholic beverage and that its packaging meets the specified volume limitation of not exceeding 4 liters to ensure accurate application of this code. The underlying alcoholic strength and the specific spirituous base are less critical for this level of classification than the nature of the product as a combined, ready-to-drink beverage in smaller packaging.