Spirits (incl. soju) export rules: United States

Rules to check before you export spirits (incl. soju) to the United States (7), each with its official source. Must clear before you sell: Main rule for spirits (incl. soju).

Official sources checked between 2026-10-14 and 2026-10-15

Duty and FTAs: Even at the KORUS FTA 0% rate (with proof of origin), a Section 301 duty since 24 Jul 2026 makes most Korean goods 12.5% in total (higher rates stay; some exemptions). hts.usitc.gov, checked 2026-10-14

This is not legal or tax advice. Rules and rates change, so confirm with the official source and a local authority, your importer or an expert before you sell.

• Main rule for spirits (incl. soju): A US importer with a federal basic permit (it keeps a staffed business office in the US) must hold a TTB label approval (COLA) for each label at the time of importation, pays the federal excise taxes and duties, and must also meet each state’s and local rules. ttb.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• US bottle sizes for spirits: no 360 mL: Distilled spirits for the US, soju included, may only be bottled in the sizes listed in 27 CFR 5.203: 375 mL, 355 mL and 350 mL are on the list, but the usual Korean 360 mL soju bottle is not. Quote a US-size bottle from the start. Your company does it · ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• US federal excise tax on alcohol, on top of duty: Imported alcohol pays US federal excise tax on top of duty: distilled spirits $13.50 per proof gallon (or $2.70 on the first 100,000 proof gallons if the foreign producer assigns its reduced rate to your importer), still wine of 16% ABV or less $1.07 per wine gallon, and artificially carbonated wine $3.30. Put it in the landed cost before you set a price. Your importer does it · ttb.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• Alcohol samples cannot go by US mail: Drinks with alcohol are nonmailable in the US postal system, samples included (USPS Publication 52, section 424; 18 U.S.C. 1716). Agree with your importer how samples reach buyers and creators instead of posting them. Your company does it · pe.usps.com, checked 2026-10-15
• US GOVERNMENT WARNING on every alcohol container: Any drink of 0.5% ABV or more imported for sale in the US must carry the fixed GOVERNMENT WARNING statement on its container: the Surgeon General’s warning about drinking during pregnancy and the warning that alcohol impairs driving and may cause health problems (27 CFR 16.20 and 16.21). It covers drinks under 7% ABV too, so settle the US back label with your importer before printing. Done with your importer · ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• US food facility registration renewal: Every factory that makes, packs or stores food for the US must be registered with FDA and renew the registration in each even-numbered year (2026, 2028 …) between 1 October and 31 December, with your DUNS number as the facility identifier and your US agent. A registration that is not renewed expires, and food from a foreign facility without a valid registration is held at the US port. Your company does it · ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-14
• US Prior Notice for samples too: US Prior Notice covers food samples a business sends, including quality-control samples, not only orders (21 CFR 1.277). For courier samples by air the notice must be confirmed at least 4 hours before arrival; for international mail, file it before posting and write the PN confirmation number on the CN22 or CN23 form. Anyone who knows the shipment details may file it, so you can file for your own samples on FDA’s Prior Notice System Interface; without it the samples are refused and held at the port. Your company does it · ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• Applies to every product here: No US de minimis for direct parcels
• Applies to every product here: US country of origin marking (19 CFR 134)
• Open the checklist
• Work out the export price
• Same product, other countries: Vietnam
• Same country, other products: Cosmetics
• Same country, other products: Instant noodles & pasta
• Same country, other products: Sauces & seasonings
• Same country, other products: Food supplements & preparations
• Same country, other products: Toys
• Same country, other products: Furniture
• Same country, other products: Pet food & feed
• Same country, other products: Medical devices
• Sources: ttb.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• Sources: ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• Sources: ttb.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• Sources: pe.usps.com, checked 2026-10-15
• Sources: ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• Sources: ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-14
• Sources: ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• Sources: hts.usitc.gov, checked 2026-10-14
• Sources: federalregister.gov, checked 2026-10-14

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