Inactive Nutritional Yeast
CN → US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3507907000 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3507100000 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 2102202000 | 23.9% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 2102206000 | 20.7% | CN | US | Official Doc |
AI Analysis
🍄 Inactive Nutritional Yeast (Non-Active Yeast for Nutritional Use)
🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Import Strategy
📌 One: Product Definition & Classification – What Exactly Is “Inactive Nutritional Yeast”?
Inactive nutritional yeast is a deactivated form of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, widely used as a dietary supplement and food ingredient due to its high protein, B-vitamin (especially B12), and savory "cheesy" flavor. Unlike active yeast used in baking, this product is heat-treated to stop fermentation, making it safe for consumption without rising properties.
⚠️ Key Distinction:
- If it’s deactivated, not used for leavening, and marketed as a nutritional supplement or flavor enhancer → falls under 2102.20.20.00
- If it’s active yeast used in bread or beer → different HS Code (e.g., 2102.20.10.00)
- If it's rennet or enzyme concentrate → entirely different category (HS 3507.10.00.00)
📦 Two: HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Match)
| HS Code | Product Description | Use Case | Is It Active? | Classification Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2102.20.20.00 |
Inactive yeasts; other single-cell microorganisms, dead: Yeasts (except dried brewers' yeast), used for nutritional or flavor purposes | Plant-based protein powder, vegan cheese substitute, B12 supplement, seasoning (e.g., “Nooch”) | ❌ Inactive | Excluded from brewing yeast; clearly labeled as nutritional or dietary |
2102.20.60.00 |
Inactive yeasts; other single-cell microorganisms, dead: Other (not specified above) | Unspecified or non-nutritional inactive yeasts (e.g., industrial byproducts) | ❌ Inactive | General catch-all for non-specific inactive yeasts |
🔍 Critical Clarification:
- Nutritional yeast is not the same as bakers’ yeast or brewers’ yeast — even though all come from S. cerevisiae, the processing and end use determine the HS Code. - “Dried brewers’ yeast” is excluded from2102.20.20.00→ it has its own code (e.g., 2102.20.10.00). - If your product is not labeled for nutrition or flavor, but used in animal feed or industrial processes → may fall under2102.20.60.00.
💰 Three: 2026 Latest Tariff Breakdown (Including附加 Taxes & Policy Rules)
✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN)
✅ Effective Date: November 10, 2025 (and onward)
🎯 1. 2102.20.20.00 — Inactive Nutritional Yeast (Non-Brewers’)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 6.4% (ad valorem) |
| USITC Additional Duty | +7.5% (under Section 301 of the Trade Act) |
| IEEPA Additional Duty | +0.0% (not applicable to this product) |
| Total Effective Duty | 13.9% |
| Tax Calculation Basis | CIF Value × 13.9% |
| De Minimis Threshold | ✅ Yes (5% de minimis applies) — if total value of duty < 5% of CIF, no duty payable |
| Legal Authority Path | USITC:2102.20.20.00 → FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 → 301 Tariff List: Section 301 |
📌 Explanation:
- The 6.4% base rate is standard for this category under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS).
- The +7.5% USITC附加税 comes from the U.S. Trade Representative’s Section 301 investigation on Chinese imports, targeting products deemed to benefit from unfair trade practices.
- No IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) tax applies here — this is not a strategic or security-related product.
- Total = 13.9%, which is moderate compared to other agricultural or biotech goods.
🎯 2. 2102.20.60.00 — Other Inactive Yeasts (Unspecified or Non-Nutritional)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 0.0% |
| USITC Additional Duty | +0.0% |
| IEEPA Additional Duty | +0.0% |
| Total Effective Duty | 0.0% |
| Tax Calculation Basis | CIF Value × 0% |
| De Minimis Threshold | ✅ Yes (5%) |
| Legal Authority Path | HTSUS:2102.20.60.00 → FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 → No 301/IEEPA application |
📌 Note:
- This code is only applicable if your product does not qualify as nutritional yeast.
- Example: Industrial-grade inactive yeast used in biofuel production, non-food-grade waste byproducts, or generic yeast powder without nutritional claims.
- If your product claims B12, protein, or vegan benefits, you must NOT use this code — risk of misclassification and penalties.
🛠️ Four: Customs Clearance Best Practices (Pro Tips to Avoid Delays)
✅ 1. Required Documentation (Must-Have Checklist)
| Document | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Commercial Invoice | ✔️ | Must clearly state: “Inactive Nutritional Yeast, Non-Brewers’ Type, for Human Consumption” |
| ✅ Product Specification Sheet | ✔️ | Include: yeast strain (S. cerevisiae), protein content, B12 level, moisture, additives |
| ✅ Certificate of Analysis (COA) | ✔️ | Prove inactive state, absence of live cells, purity, heavy metals |
| ✅ Labeling Proof | ✔️ | Show claims like “Vegan Protein”, “B12 Fortified”, “No Added MSG” |
| ✅ FDA Registration (if applicable) | ✔️ | Required for food ingredients in the U.S. |
| ✅ Certificate of Origin (CO) | ✔️ | If from China, must be issued by chamber of commerce |
| ✅ Packing List | ✔️ | Detail net weight, packaging type, batch numbers |
✅ 2.申报技巧 (Pro申报 Tips – Key Rules)
🔥 “Claim Right, Label Right, Code Right – or Pay the Price!”
| Scenario | Correct HS Code | Wrong Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritional yeast with B12 & protein claims | 2102.20.20.00 |
Using 2102.20.60.00 → duty evasion risk |
| Yeast used in animal feed (no human claims) | 2102.20.60.00 |
Using 2102.20.20.00 → overpayment |
| Product labeled “Nooch” or “Vegan Cheese” | 2102.20.20.00 |
Calling it “yeast powder” → misleading |
| Bulk industrial yeast (no nutrition claims) | 2102.20.60.00 |
Claiming it’s “nutritional” → misclassification |
✅ Best申报 Name Format:
"Inactive Nutritional Yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, B12 Fortified, Vegan Protein Supplement, 500g Bag, Non-Brewers' Type"
✅ 3. Special Cases & Risk Mitigation
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Product from Vietnam/Mexico/Thailand | Apply for IEEPA exemption → 0% duty on 2102.20.20.00 (if origin is not China) |
| Small shipment (<5% of CIF value) | Use de minimis rule → no duty even if 13.9% applies |
| Mixed shipment with other yeast types | Separate by HS Code — do not combine in one invoice |
| Product claims “probiotic” or “active” | ❌ Not allowed — this is inactive yeast; false claim → FDA/Customs violation |
🌍 Five: Global Market Comparison (2026 Latest)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Tariff | Certification Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | 2102.20.20.00 |
13.9% (China origin) | FDA, FDA GRAS, COA | 5% de minimis applies |
| 🇨🇳 China | 2102.20.20.00 |
6.5% (VAT + 0% import duty) | GMP, Food Safety Law | No additional 301 taxes |
| 🇪🇺 EU | 2102.20.20.00 |
0% (if CE + FSSC 22000) | EFSA, CE, ISO 22000 | No 301 or IEEPA taxes |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 2102.20.20.00 |
5% (standard) | FSANZ, RCM | No extra tariffs |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 2102.20.20.00 |
0% | JAS, FSSC 22000 | No additional duties |
📌 Insight:
- The U.S. is the only market with a 13.9% tariff on nutritional yeast from China.
- EU, Japan, and Australia have low or zero tariffs — ideal for export diversification.
- Vietnam and Thailand are safe alternatives — avoid U.S. 301 tariffs.
📌 Six: Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them (Real-World Pitfalls)
❌ Mistake 1: Using 2102.20.60.00 for nutritional yeast
👉 Result: Underpaid duty → penalties, audits, seizure
✅ Fix: Always use 2102.20.20.00 if it’s marketed as food/nutritional.
❌ Mistake 2: Claiming “probiotic” or “live” on inactive yeast
👉 Result: FDA violation → product recall, fines
✅ Fix: Only say “inactive”, “non-fermenting”, “deactivated”.
❌ Mistake 3: Not disclosing B12 fortification
👉 Result: Misleading labeling → consumer complaint, legal risk
✅ Fix: Clearly state “Fortified with Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)” on label.
❌ Mistake 4: Combining nutritional yeast with active yeast in one shipment
👉 Result: Customs may delay or reject entire shipment
✅ Fix: Declare separately by HS Code.
🎯 Seven: Conclusion – Precision Pays Off!
🎯 Remember the Golden Rule:
🔹 “If it’s nutritional, label it nutritional — and use
2102.20.20.00!”
🔹 “If it’s not nutritional, and not brewers’ yeast — use2102.20.60.00.”
🔹 “Never misrepresent inactive yeast as active — it’s a legal minefield.”
📌 Pro Tip:
✅ Apply for an Advance Ruling (Pre-Review) from U.S. Customs before shipment — get official confirmation of your HS Code.
✅ Use a U.S.-based customs broker with experience in food ingredients and 301 tariffs.
📣 Act Now!
📞 Contact a specialized food import broker
📄 Submit your product label, COA, and invoice
🚀 Get your HS Code pre-approved — avoid delays, penalties, and surprise bills!
✨ Smart Importing Starts with Smart Classification!
💼 Your product’s success depends on one small code — get it right the first time!
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About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) — Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) — More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) — Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) — Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate — The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate — Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties — Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.