Coffee Husks, Skins & Coffee-Containing Substitutes

Both beverage-grade cascara and byproduct coffee husks fall under HTS 0901901000 — the tariff schedule does not distinguish end use. However, FDA's admissibility treatment may differ: cascara marketed as a beverage ingredient has faced novel food scrutiny, and importers should confirm current FDA guidance on its status before commercial importation.

A coffee substitute containing coffee (0901902000) is a product where coffee is one component blended with non-coffee ingredients — such as chicory, grain, or fig — intended to extend or partially replace coffee. A flavored coffee, by contrast, remains predominantly coffee with added flavoring and would classify under the roasted coffee headings (090121 or 090122). The key classification test is whether the non-coffee ingredient is present in a quantity and function that makes the product a 'substitute' rather than a flavored coffee.