Chapter 07 covers edible vegetables, roots and tubers, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried or provisionally preserved vegetables of various kinds. This chapter does not include vegetables used as fodder, certain oil seeds and processed products. Head lettuce, as a fresh vegetable, is one of the core commodities of this chapter. Heading 0705 covers fresh or chilled lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and chicory (Cichorium spp.), including head lettuce, leaf lettuce, curled lettuce and chicory, etc. Whether or not cut or trimmed, as long as it remains fresh or chilled, it is classified under this heading. The first 2 digits 07 represent Chapter 7 'Edible vegetables, roots and tubers'. The 3rd-4th digits 05 represent heading 0705 'Fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory'. The 5th-6th digits 11 are the subheading, where '1' indicates head lettuce, and '1' further subdivides into fresh or chilled. Therefore 070511 specifically refers to fresh head lettuce, excluding chilled head lettuce (070519) and other lettuce. The commodity is fresh head lettuce, with a distinct head structure, belonging to the head-forming variety of Lactuca sativa. Since it has not been chilled and meets the subheading text 'fresh', it is classified under 070511, rather than chilled 070519 or other subheadings outside 070511 for leaf lettuce.
Chapter
Chapter 07 covers edible vegetables, roots and tubers, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried or provisionally preserved vegetables of various kinds. This chapter does not include vegetables used as fodder, certain oil seeds and processed products. Head lettuce, as a fresh vegetable, is one of the core commodities of this chapter.
Heading
Heading 0705 covers fresh or chilled lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and chicory (Cichorium spp.), including head lettuce, leaf lettuce, curled lettuce and chicory, etc. Whether or not cut or trimmed, as long as it remains fresh or chilled, it is classified under this heading.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 07 represent Chapter 7 'Edible vegetables, roots and tubers'. The 3rd-4th digits 05 represent heading 0705 'Fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory'. The 5th-6th digits 11 are the subheading, where '1' indicates head lettuce, and '1' further subdivides into fresh or chilled. Therefore 070511 specifically refers to fresh head lettuce, excluding chilled head lettuce (070519) and other lettuce.
Classification Basis
The commodity is fresh head lettuce, with a distinct head structure, belonging to the head-forming variety of Lactuca sativa. Since it has not been chilled and meets the subheading text 'fresh', it is classified under 070511, rather than chilled 070519 or other subheadings outside 070511 for leaf lettuce.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Should be declared as 'Fresh head lettuce' or 'Fresh lettuce (head)', not abbreviated as 'lettuce' or 'lettuce'. Brand: Fill in the commercial brand or manufacturer name; if no brand, fill in 'None'. Packaging specifications: Such as '10kg/carton', '500g/bag', must be consistent with the contract. Fresh or chilled: Must clearly declare 'fresh' or 'chilled'; fresh products are classified under 070511, chilled under 070519. Type: Indicate 'head lettuce' or 'leaf lettuce', etc.; only head lettuce is classified under 070511. Country of origin: Fill in the actual country of origin, affecting tariffs and trade agreement application. Net weight: Declare the net weight of the goods in kilograms, must be consistent with the packing list. Product name: Fresh head lettuce; Brand: GreenFresh; Packaging specifications: 10kg/carton; Fresh or chilled: Fresh; Type: Head lettuce; Country of origin: United States; Net weight: 2000kg; Declaration elements: Fresh head lettuce, brand GreenFresh, 10kg/carton, fresh, head, United States, 2000kg. Mistakenly classifying chilled head lettuce under 070511, should be 070519. Not distinguishing head from leaf lettuce, leaf lettuce under 070511? Actually only head lettuce is under 070511. Filling in manufacturer instead of trademark in the brand column, causing confusion between brand and manufacturer.
Product name
Should be declared as 'Fresh head lettuce' or 'Fresh lettuce (head)', not abbreviated as 'lettuce' or 'lettuce'.
⚠️ Incorrectly declared as 'lettuce' or 'lettuce', without distinguishing head from non-head.
Brand
Fill in the commercial brand or manufacturer name; if no brand, fill in 'None'.
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer, or omitting brand leading to classification disputes.
Packaging specifications
Such as '10kg/carton', '500g/bag', must be consistent with the contract.
⚠️ Confusing packaging unit with net weight, or not specifying packaging method.
Fresh or chilled
Must clearly declare 'fresh' or 'chilled'; fresh products are classified under 070511, chilled under 070519.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring chilled products as fresh, leading to incorrect coding.
Type
Indicate 'head lettuce' or 'leaf lettuce', etc.; only head lettuce is classified under 070511.
⚠️ Not distinguishing head from leaf, classifying leaf lettuce under 070511.
Country of origin
Fill in the actual country of origin, affecting tariffs and trade agreement application.
⚠️ Confusing country of origin with country of dispatch, or not providing certificate of origin.
Net weight
Declare the net weight of the goods in kilograms, must be consistent with the packing list.
⚠️ Confusing net weight with gross weight, or declared weight inconsistent with actual.
Example： Product name: Fresh head lettuce; Brand: GreenFresh; Packaging specifications: 10kg/carton; Fresh or chilled: Fresh; Type: Head lettuce; Country of origin: United States; Net weight: 2000kg; Declaration elements: Fresh head lettuce, brand GreenFresh, 10kg/carton, fresh, head, United States, 2000kg.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying chilled head lettuce under 070511, should be 070519.
Not distinguishing head from leaf lettuce, leaf lettuce under 070511? Actually only head lettuce is under 070511.
Filling in manufacturer instead of trademark in the brand column, causing confusion between brand and manufacturer.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 7 and subheading texts of the 'Import and Export Tariff'. Head lettuce refers to lettuce with a distinct head structure, whether or not cut or trimmed, as long as it remains fresh or chilled, it is classified under 0705. Fresh and chilled products are distinguished by temperature state; fresh products have not been chilled. 070519 Other fresh or chilled lettuce: 070519 covers other lettuce besides head lettuce, such as leaf lettuce, curled lettuce, and chilled head lettuce. The core difference is whether it is head-forming and whether it is chilled. 070521 Fresh or chilled chicory: 070521 is chicory (Cichorium spp.), different genus from lettuce, similar appearance but different botanical classification; chicory has more prominent veins and bitter taste. 070490 Other fresh or chilled edible vegetables: 070490 is other vegetables not elsewhere specified, such as cabbage, spinach, etc.; head lettuce has a specific listing and should not be classified under this code. 071080 Frozen vegetables: 071080 is frozen vegetables; if head lettuce is frozen, it is classified under this code; fresh or chilled products do not apply. Confirm whether the product is head-forming? Confirm whether the state is fresh or chilled? Confirm whether it has been cut or trimmed? Confirm country of origin and brand information? Confirm packaging specifications and net weight?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 7 and subheading texts of the 'Import and Export Tariff'. Head lettuce refers to lettuce with a distinct head structure, whether or not cut or trimmed, as long as it remains fresh or chilled, it is classified under 0705. Fresh and chilled products are distinguished by temperature state; fresh products have not been chilled.
Confused Codes：
070519 - Other fresh or chilled lettuce
070519 covers other lettuce besides head lettuce, such as leaf lettuce, curled lettuce, and chilled head lettuce. The core difference is whether it is head-forming and whether it is chilled.
070521 - Fresh or chilled chicory
070521 is chicory (Cichorium spp.), different genus from lettuce, similar appearance but different botanical classification; chicory has more prominent veins and bitter taste.
070490 - Other fresh or chilled edible vegetables
070490 is other vegetables not elsewhere specified, such as cabbage, spinach, etc.; head lettuce has a specific listing and should not be classified under this code.
071080 - Frozen vegetables
071080 is frozen vegetables; if head lettuce is frozen, it is classified under this code; fresh or chilled products do not apply.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm whether the product is head-forming?
✓ Confirm whether the state is fresh or chilled?
✓ Confirm whether it has been cut or trimmed?
✓ Confirm country of origin and brand information?
✓ Confirm packaging specifications and net weight?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between fresh head lettuce and chilled head lettuce? Fresh head lettuce is classified under 070511, chilled head lettuce under 070519. The difference lies in temperature treatment: fresh products have not been chilled, chilled products need to be stored at around 0°C. The state must be clearly declared, otherwise classification errors may occur. Can leaf lettuce be classified under 070511? No. 070511 only applies to head lettuce; leaf lettuce should be classified under 070519. Head lettuce has a distinct head structure, while leaf lettuce leaves are loose and do not form a head. How to determine whether lettuce is 'head-forming'? Head lettuce leaves tightly wrap to form a ball shape, common varieties such as iceberg, romaine, etc. Leaf lettuce leaves are loose and do not form a ball. Customs inspection is based on actual morphology; it is recommended to keep variety certification. How to fill in 'Brand' in the declaration elements for fresh head lettuce? The brand should be filled with the commercial trademark or manufacturer name; if no brand, fill in 'None'. Brand information helps customs confirm the source of goods and intellectual property status, avoiding penalties due to false brand declaration. Does fresh head lettuce require a phytosanitary certificate when imported? Yes. According to the 'Law on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine', fresh vegetables imported require an official phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country, and may require an entry animal and plant quarantine permit. Specifics are subject to the latest announcement by the General Administration of Customs. How to query the tariff rate for fresh head lettuce? You can check the 'Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China' or the General Administration of Customs website, and determine the applicable rate based on the country of origin and trade agreements (such as RCEP). Rates may change; it is recommended to use the latest tariff at the time of declaration. If fresh head lettuce is cut, is it still classified under 070511? Yes. Heading 0705 includes cut or trimmed fresh or chilled lettuce, as long as it has not undergone other processing (such as freezing, cooking). After cutting, if it remains fresh or chilled, it is classified under 070511. How to distinguish fresh head lettuce from chicory? Chicory (Cichorium spp.) is classified under 070521, different genus from head lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Chicory leaves are usually more bitter, with prominent veins, common varieties such as radicchio, endive. Customs classification is based on botanical classification.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between fresh head lettuce and chilled head lettuce?
A: Fresh head lettuce is classified under 070511, chilled head lettuce under 070519. The difference lies in temperature treatment: fresh products have not been chilled, chilled products need to be stored at around 0°C. The state must be clearly declared, otherwise classification errors may occur.
Q: Can leaf lettuce be classified under 070511?
A: No. 070511 only applies to head lettuce; leaf lettuce should be classified under 070519. Head lettuce has a distinct head structure, while leaf lettuce leaves are loose and do not form a head.
Q: How to determine whether lettuce is 'head-forming'?
A: Head lettuce leaves tightly wrap to form a ball shape, common varieties such as iceberg, romaine, etc. Leaf lettuce leaves are loose and do not form a ball. Customs inspection is based on actual morphology; it is recommended to keep variety certification.
Q: How to fill in 'Brand' in the declaration elements for fresh head lettuce?
A: The brand should be filled with the commercial trademark or manufacturer name; if no brand, fill in 'None'. Brand information helps customs confirm the source of goods and intellectual property status, avoiding penalties due to false brand declaration.
Q: Does fresh head lettuce require a phytosanitary certificate when imported?
A: Yes. According to the 'Law on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine', fresh vegetables imported require an official phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country, and may require an entry animal and plant quarantine permit. Specifics are subject to the latest announcement by the General Administration of Customs.
Q: How to query the tariff rate for fresh head lettuce?
A: You can check the 'Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China' or the General Administration of Customs website, and determine the applicable rate based on the country of origin and trade agreements (such as RCEP). Rates may change; it is recommended to use the latest tariff at the time of declaration.
Q: If fresh head lettuce is cut, is it still classified under 070511?
A: Yes. Heading 0705 includes cut or trimmed fresh or chilled lettuce, as long as it has not undergone other processing (such as freezing, cooking). After cutting, if it remains fresh or chilled, it is classified under 070511.
Q: How to distinguish fresh head lettuce from chicory?
A: Chicory (Cichorium spp.) is classified under 070521, different genus from head lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Chicory leaves are usually more bitter, with prominent veins, common varieties such as radicchio, endive. Customs classification is based on botanical classification.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.