Find HS Code and trade information for beverage machine

Beverage Machine

A beverage machine is an automated device designed to dispense beverages, typically after a user inserts currency or uses a payment method. These machines range in complexity from simple vending machines offering pre-bottled drinks to sophisticated systems preparing customized drinks on demand.

Materials & Construction

Beverage machines are constructed from a variety of materials, chosen for durability, hygiene, and temperature control:

• Housing: Typically steel, stainless steel, or impact-resistant plastics. Stainless steel is preferred for its corrosion resistance and ease of cleaning.
• Refrigeration System: Compressors, condensers, evaporators, and refrigerants (historically CFCs, now typically HFCs or more environmentally friendly alternatives) are crucial for cold beverage machines.
• Dispensing Mechanisms: Vary based on beverage type; may include augers for cans, rotating wheels for bottles, or pumps and valves for liquids.
• Control Systems: Microcontrollers, buttons, displays, payment systems (coin mechanisms, bill validators, card readers, NFC/mobile payment readers), and sensors.
• Plumbing (for liquid machines): Food-grade tubing, reservoirs, and mixing components.
• Heating Elements (for hot beverage machines): Electric heating coils or boilers.

Purpose & Function

The primary purpose of a beverage machine is to provide convenient, self-service access to drinks. Functionality includes:

• Storage: Maintaining beverages at appropriate temperatures (chilled or heated).
• Selection: Allowing users to choose desired beverages via buttons or touchscreens.
• Payment Processing: Accepting various forms of payment.
• Dispensing: Releasing the selected beverage to the user.
• Inventory Management: Tracking stock levels and often reporting this data remotely.
• Refrigeration/Heating Control: Maintaining consistent temperatures.

Usage Scenarios

Beverage machines are found in a wide variety of locations:

• Commercial Buildings: Offices, factories, hospitals, schools.
• Retail Locations: Convenience stores, supermarkets, shopping malls.
• Transportation Hubs: Airports, train stations, bus terminals.
• Recreational Facilities: Gyms, movie theaters, arcades.
• Public Spaces: Parks, libraries, waiting rooms.
• Restaurants & Cafes: As supplemental drink options.

Common Types

Beverage machines are categorized by the types of beverages they dispense and their level of sophistication:

• Can/Bottle Vending Machines: The most common type, dispensing pre-packaged canned or bottled drinks (soda, water, juice, energy drinks). Often utilize a spiral dispensing mechanism.
• Cold Drink Machines: Dispense chilled beverages from bulk tanks. Often offer carbonated and non-carbonated options.
• Hot Beverage Machines: Dispense hot drinks like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and soup. May use instant ingredients or brew directly from beans.
• Specialty Beverage Machines: Offer more complex drinks, such as smoothies, frozen beverages, or customized coffee drinks.
• Bean-to-Cup Machines: Grind coffee beans and brew fresh coffee on demand. Often feature multiple drink options and customization settings.
• Automatic Coffee Machines (ACM): A broad category including bean-to-cup and other automated coffee brewing systems.
• Water Dispensing Machines: Provide chilled, filtered water, sometimes with carbonation options.
• Soda Fountain Machines: Dispense carbonated beverages from syrup and carbonated water.

Technology & Trends

• Remote Monitoring & Management: Machines are increasingly connected to the internet, allowing for remote inventory tracking, sales data analysis, and troubleshooting.
• Cashless Payment Systems: Adoption of card readers, mobile payment options (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and other cashless methods.
• Touchscreen Interfaces: Improved user experience with intuitive touchscreen displays and customizable drink options.
• Energy Efficiency: Development of more energy-efficient refrigeration systems and insulation materials.
• Telemetry: Data collection on consumer preferences to optimize product offerings and machine placement.
• Customization: Ability to create personalized drinks with adjustable sweetness, flavorings, and toppings.

Beverage machines fall under the category of automatic goods-vending machines, specifically those designed for beverages. Here's a breakdown of relevant HS codes based on the provided information:

• 8476210000: This HS code covers automatic beverage-vending machines incorporating heating or refrigerating devices. This would apply to machines that actively cool or warm the beverages they dispense.

  • 84: Chapter 84 relates to Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof.
  • 76: Heading 76 specifically covers Machines for the manufacture of artificial fibres; machines for processing textile fibres. However, in this context, it refers to automatic goods-vending machines.
  • 210000: This subheading narrows the classification to automatic beverage-vending machines with heating or refrigerating devices.

• 8476290000: This HS code covers automatic beverage-vending machines that do not incorporate heating or refrigerating devices. This would apply to machines that simply dispense beverages at ambient temperature.

  • 84: Chapter 84 relates to Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof.
  • 76: Heading 76 specifically covers automatic goods-vending machines.
  • 290000: This subheading narrows the classification to other automatic beverage-vending machines.

Regarding these HS codes, the total tax rate is 55.0%, comprised of a 0.0% base tariff and a 25.0% additional tariff. It is important to note that the additional tariff will increase to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.