8421.22.00.00 - For filtering or purifying beverages other than water 🖩

This HTS category, 8421.22.00.00, encompasses machinery and apparatus specifically designed for filtering or purifying beverages, excluding water. This includes a wide array of equipment used in the food and beverage industry to remove impurities, sediments, or unwanted substances from liquids such as fruit juices, milk, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks. The primary function of these machines is to enhance the clarity, stability, and overall quality of beverages prior to packaging or consumption.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from its sibling, 8421.21.00.00, which is exclusively for water purification equipment. While both relate to filtering liquids, the intended use and the nature of the liquid being treated are the defining factors. Similarly, this category is distinct from 8421.23.00.00, which covers specialized filters for internal combustion engines (oil and fuel filters). The scope here is limited to consumable beverages intended for human or animal consumption.

As a leaf node, 8421.22.00.00 does not have further subdivisions. Therefore, classification within this code relies on clearly establishing that the machinery's sole or primary purpose is the filtration or purification of beverages other than water. Examples include filter presses for wine, membrane filtration systems for milk processing, or carbonators and filtration units for soft drinks. The material of construction, operational principle (e.g., mechanical filtration, membrane separation, adsorption), and the specific type of beverage processed are key considerations for accurate classification.