Find HS Code and trade information for sourdough starter jar

Sourdough Starter Jar

A sourdough starter jar is a vessel used to cultivate and maintain a sourdough starter, a living culture of wild yeasts and lactic acid bacteria essential for making sourdough bread.

Material:

• Glass: The most common material due to its non-reactivity, transparency (allowing observation of starter activity), and ease of cleaning. Wide-mouth jars are preferred for easier access.
• Ceramic: Can be used, but must be non-reactive and lead-free.
• Plastic: Less common due to potential scratching (harboring bacteria) and opacity. Food-grade plastic is required if used.

Purpose:

The primary purpose is to provide a contained environment for the fermentation process of flour and water, fostering the growth of the microorganisms that leaven sourdough bread.

Function:

• Containment: Holds the flour and water mixture.
• Fermentation: Allows gases produced during fermentation to escape while preventing contamination.
• Observation: Transparent jars enable monitoring of starter activity (bubbling, rising, and falling).
• Measurement: Graduated markings can aid in tracking starter growth and determining when it is ready for use.

Usage Scenarios:

• Initial Starter Creation: Used during the initial fermentation process to establish a starter from flour and water.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Used for daily or regular feeding of the starter to maintain its viability.
• Storage: Provides a place to store the starter between uses.
• Proofing: Sometimes used directly for a portion of the bread-making process (though typically the starter is transferred to a larger vessel for bulk fermentation).

Common Types/Features:

• Wide-Mouth Jars: Easier to stir and clean. Quart (1 liter) size is popular.
• Graduated Jars: Feature markings for measuring starter volume.
• Airlock Jars: Include a lid with an airlock to allow gases to escape while preventing outside contaminants from entering. These can help reduce mold risk.
• Fermentation Lids: Similar to airlocks, but often simpler designs.
• Specialized Starter Crocks: Ceramic crocks designed specifically for sourdough starters, often with airlocks.
• Jars with Silicone Lids: Provide a tighter seal than standard lids.

Sourdough starter jars are containers used for the conveyance or packing of goods, specifically for preserving sourdough starter. Based on the provided information, several HS codes may be relevant depending on the material and capacity of the jar.

Here are the potentially applicable HS codes:

• 7010.90.50.05: This HS code covers glass carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, vials, ampoules and other containers, of a kind used for the conveyance or packing of goods; preserving jars of glass; stoppers, lids and other closures, of glass: Other: Other containers (with or without their closures) Of a capacity exceeding 1 liter. This applies if the jar is made of glass and holds more than 1 liter. The total tax rate is 55.0%, comprised of a 0.0% base tariff and a 25.0% additional tariff, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.
• 7010.90.50.55: This HS code covers glass carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, vials, ampoules and other containers, of a kind used for the conveyance or packing of goods; preserving jars of glass; stoppers, lids and other closures, of glass: Other: Other containers (with or without their closures) Of a capacity not exceeding 0.118 liter. This applies if the jar is made of glass and holds 0.118 liters or less. The total tax rate is 55.0%, comprised of a 0.0% base tariff and a 25.0% additional tariff, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.
• 3923.30.00.10: This HS code covers articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics: Carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles Of a capacity not exceeding 50 ml. This applies if the jar is made of plastic and holds 50 ml or less. The total tax rate is 58.0%, comprised of a 3.0% base tariff and a 25.0% additional tariff, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.
• 3923.30.00.90: This HS code covers articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics: Carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles Other. This applies if the jar is made of plastic and holds more than 50 ml. The total tax rate is 58.0%, comprised of a 3.0% base tariff and a 25.0% additional tariff, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.

It is important to determine the material (glass or plastic) and the capacity of the jar to correctly classify the goods.