Import guides
FDA, customs, and the rulebooks that govern bringing a non-alcoholic brand across the Atlantic.
Importing Non-Alcoholic Beverages to the US
Non-alcoholic beverages under 0.5% ABV are imported under FDA as food, not TTB.
Nick Bodkins · Co-founder, Avenor · New York — Updated September 23, 2026
Read the guide →Do Non-Alcoholic Drinks Use the Three-Tier System?
No — 0.0% drinks are FDA food, not TTB alcohol, so they sell direct to consumers and retailers via standard 3PL.
FDA Food Facility Registration for Foreign Brands
Foreign beverage facilities must register with the FDA (no fee) and name a US agent before any product ships.
FDA or TTB: Which Agency Regulates Your NA Drink?
Under 0.5% ABV the FDA regulates your drink as a food.
FDA Prior Notice for Non-Alcoholic Beverage Shipments
For every shipment of food — including non-alcoholic beverages — arriving in the United States from a foreign country, the FDA requires advance notification called prior notice.
FSVP Requirements for Non-Alcoholic Beverage Imports
FSVP, the Foreign Supplier Verification Program, makes the US importer verify each foreign supplier's food safety.
HS Code for Non-Alcoholic Beverages: 2202 and Duty
Non-alcoholic beverages classify under HS 2202: NA beer at 2202.91, alternatives at 2202.99.
Importing Alcohol into the US vs the Alcohol-Free Version
Importing alcohol into the US needs a TTB permit, label approval, excise tax and state licenses.
US Tariffs on European Alcohol-Free Drinks in 2026
As of September 2026, EU alcohol-free drinks pay a combined 10% US tariff: Section 301 tops the MFN rate up to 10%.
Importing Dealcoholized Wine, Alcohol-Free Spirits & Beer
The "non-alcoholic beverage" category sounds like a single regulatory lane — but for US import purposes, it is three distinct lanes with materially different rules.
Pre-COLA, COLA & When Non-Alcoholic Brands Need TTB
Most NA brands entering the US never touch the TTB.
What European Founders Get Wrong About US Beverage Importing
The US non-alcoholic market crossed $1 billion in off-premise retail by end of 2025, per NIQ.
How Avenor's Importer of Record Works for Non-Alcoholic Brands
Avenor is the importer of record for the non-alcoholic brands it runs in the US: customs entry, duties, bond, US agent, FSVP and Prior Notice, in the FDA lane.
Written by
Nick Bodkins
Co-founder, Avenor · New York
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