HS Code for Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements span multiple HTS headings depending on their composition and form. Vitamin and mineral supplements in retail dosage form are typically classified under heading 3004 (medicaments) at duty-free rates. Protein powders and general food supplement preparations fall under heading 2106 at rates of 4.8% to 6.4%. Bulk vitamins are classified under heading 2936 (duty-free), and herbal extracts under heading 1302.
| HTS Code | Description | Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2106.10.00.00 | Protein concentrates and textured protein substances Food preparations not elsewhere specified - Protein powders, whey protein concentrates | 6.4% |
| 2106.90.99.98 | Other food preparations not elsewhere specified or included Food preparations - General supplement preparations (capsules, tablets, powders) | 6.4% |
| 2106.90.58.50 | Of gelatin, put up for retail sale; other Food preparations - Gelatin-based supplements (softgels, gel capsules) | 4.8% |
| 3004.50.50.10 | Single vitamins combined with minerals or other nutrients Medicaments containing vitamins - Single vitamin supplements with minerals, put up for retail sale | Free |
| 3004.50.50.30 | Multiple vitamins combined with minerals or other nutrients Medicaments containing vitamins - Multivitamin/mineral supplements, put up for retail sale | Free |
| 3004.50.50.40 | Multiple vitamins; other Medicaments containing vitamins - Multivitamin supplements without minerals, put up for retail sale | Free |
| 2936.27.00.00 | Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) and its derivatives Provitamins and vitamins - Bulk Vitamin C (unmixed, not put up for retail) | Free |
| 2936.21.00.00 | Vitamins A and their derivatives Provitamins and vitamins - Bulk Vitamin A (unmixed, not put up for retail) | Free |
| 1302.19.41.20 | Ginseng extract Vegetable saps and extracts - Herbal extracts such as ginseng used in supplements | 1% |
| 2936.90.01.50 | Other provitamins and natural concentrates Provitamins and vitamins - Intermixtures and natural vitamin concentrates | Free |
Dietary supplements are one of the most complex product categories to classify under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule because the correct heading depends on the supplement's active ingredients, form, and how it is put up for sale. There is no single HS code for dietary supplements — different types of supplements can fall under headings in Chapters 13, 21, 29, or 30.
The primary classification question is whether the supplement qualifies as a medicament under heading 3004. Products containing vitamins or other products of heading 2936, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale, are classified under subheading 3004.50. This is typically the most favorable classification because the duty rate is Free. Multivitamin supplements with minerals fall under 3004.50.50.30, single vitamins with minerals under 3004.50.50.10, and multivitamins without minerals under 3004.50.50.40. The key requirements are that the product contains vitamins as a defining characteristic and is put up in retail dosage form (tablets, capsules, softgels, etc.).
Supplements that do not contain vitamins or do not qualify as medicaments typically fall under heading 2106 as food preparations not elsewhere specified. Protein concentrates, including whey protein and plant-based protein powders, are specifically classified under 2106.10.00.00 at 6.4%. Other supplement preparations — such as amino acid capsules, fiber supplements, or general health supplement blends without significant vitamin content — fall under the residual 2106.90.99.98 at 6.4%. Gelatin-based softgel capsules may be classified under 2106.90.58 at 4.8%.
Bulk vitamin ingredients (not put up for retail sale) are classified under heading 2936. Individual unmixed vitamins like Vitamin C (2936.27), Vitamin A (2936.21), Vitamin E (2936.28), and B vitamins (2936.22-2936.26) all enter duty-free. These codes apply to raw vitamin ingredients imported by supplement manufacturers, not to finished retail products.
Herbal supplements and plant extracts may be classified under heading 1302 (vegetable saps and extracts). Ginseng extract is specifically listed at 1302.19.41.20 at 1%, while other botanical extracts fall under various subheadings with rates ranging from Free to 3.8%. However, if an herbal extract is combined with vitamins and put up for retail sale, it may shift to heading 3004.
The form of the supplement (capsule, tablet, powder, liquid) does not independently determine classification, but it can affect whether a product qualifies as "put up in measured doses" for heading 3004 treatment. Loose powders sold by weight may not qualify as measured doses, potentially pushing them to heading 2106 even if they contain vitamins.
Duty rates for dietary supplements vary significantly by classification. Vitamin and mineral supplements in retail dosage form under heading 3004.50 enter duty-free. Protein concentrates under 2106.10 carry a 6.4% rate. General food supplement preparations under 2106.90.99 are also at 6.4%, while gelatin-based supplement capsules under 2106.90.58 are at 4.8%. Bulk unmixed vitamins under heading 2936 are all duty-free. Herbal extracts under heading 1302 range from Free to 3.8%, with ginseng at 1%. Better classification suggestions can mean the difference between a 6.4% duty and duty-free treatment for the same supplement.