HS code for stainless steel water bottles: candidates and classification factors
Short answer
Vacuum insulation is the first fork. A complete vacuum-insulated steel bottle points to 9617.00 (vacuum flasks and other vacuum vessels). A single-wall steel bottle, or one insulated without a vacuum, points to 7323.93.
This output is general information at the 6-digit level only. The final classification for any entry must be determined by a licensed customs broker or the importer. This page is not a classification of your product.
Steel drinkware looks alike on a shelf but follows two different headings. In 2021 CBP revoked earlier rulings that had placed insulated stainless bottles with ordinary household steel articles, and recent rulings place vacuum-insulated bottles in heading 9617.
Six-digit candidates to research
| Subheading | Official text (source) | May fit when | May not fit when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9617.00 | Vacuum flasks and other vacuum vessels, complete; parts thereof other than glass inners: | A complete bottle, flask or tumbler with a vacuum between its stainless steel walls. | There is no vacuum (single wall, or insulated with air or foam), or the item is only a part. Facts needed: Vacuum-insulated or not · Complete bottle with lid |
| 7323.93 | Table, kitchen or other household articles and parts thereof, of iron or steel; iron or steel wool; pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like, of iron or steel: › Other: ›Of stainless steel | A single-wall stainless steel bottle, or a double-wall bottle without a vacuum, used as a household article. | The bottle is vacuum-insulated, or the body is not stainless steel. Facts needed: Wall construction · Steel grade |
Official text from the U.S. International Trade Commission, 2026 HTS Revision 21, retrieved October 14, 2026. Page last reviewed October 15, 2026.
Facts that change the classification
- Vacuum between the walls
- Double walls alone are not enough. Confirm whether the space between the walls is evacuated (a true vacuum vessel).
- Complete article
- Heading 9617 covers complete vacuum vessels. Separate lids, sleeves or replacement parts may follow other rules.
- Material of the body
- If the bottle is not a vacuum vessel, the material matters: stainless steel points to 7323.93; plastic bottles and other metals follow other headings.
- Electrical features
- Self-heating bottles add an electrical function that moves research to Chapter 85.
Common mistakes
- Treating “insulated” and “vacuum-insulated” as the same thing.
Only vacuum vessels belong in heading 9617. Ask the manufacturer how the insulation is achieved.
- Relying on an older ruling for insulated bottles.
Check whether the ruling has been revoked or modified. Several were revoked in 2021.
- Classifying a bottle with an electric heater as drinkware.
Electrically heated articles follow Chapter 85. Describe any electrical component.
Examples
“750 ml double-wall vacuum-insulated 18/8 stainless steel bottle with screw cap”
- Vacuum between walls
- Complete with lid
These facts point research toward 9617.00.
“600 ml single-wall stainless steel sports bottle with plastic flip cap”
- No vacuum
- Stainless steel body
These facts point research toward 7323.93.
CBP rulings to read
Rulings apply to the specific facts presented to CBP. Read them for the reasoning rather than copying a code.
- N353266 9617.00 · January 28, 2026
The tariff classification of a vacuum-insulated stainless steel water bottle from China
- N357245 9617.00 · July 14, 2026
The tariff classification of a stainless-steel vacuum vessel from China
- N321985 9617.00 · December 3, 2021
The tariff classification of stainless steel bottles from China
- H303684 9617.00 · July 7, 2021
Revocation of NY N297758, NY N297169, NY N254461 and NY N264760; classification of insulated stainless steel beverage containers
Frequently asked questions
Does a double-wall bottle always count as a vacuum flask?
No. Double walls can trap air or foam without a vacuum. Heading 9617 requires a vacuum vessel, so confirm the construction with the supplier.
Are vacuum-insulated tumblers and food jars treated the same way?
Generally yes — heading 9617 covers vacuum flasks and other vacuum vessels, and CBP rulings apply it to vacuum tumblers too.
Is the six-digit candidate enough for a U.S. customs entry?
No. The six-digit HS level is general information and a research starting point. The importer or a licensed customs broker must determine the complete U.S. classification used for any entry.
Research your exact product
Describe your item in plain language. HTS Assist searches the active USITC tariff schedule, legal notes and CBP rulings, ranks six-digit candidates with a confidence score, and asks about the facts that could change the result.
This output is general information at the 6-digit level only. The final classification for any entry must be determined by a licensed customs broker or the importer.