Chapter 07 covers edible vegetables, roots and tubers, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried or provisionally preserved vegetables. This chapter does not include plants grown as vegetables but used for the extraction of essential oils or for medicinal purposes (such as saffron, water hyssop), nor does it include coffee, tea, spices of Chapter 09, or milling products of Chapter 11. The core is vegetables for human consumption, whether or not they have undergone simple processing (such as peeling, cutting, blanching), but they must retain the essential character of vegetables. Heading 0709 covers other vegetables, fresh or chilled, i.e., fresh or chilled vegetables other than those of headings 0701 to 0708 (potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cabbages, lettuces, carrots, cucumbers, legumes, etc.). This heading includes asparagus, aubergines, celery, mushrooms, peppers, spinach, pumpkins, etc. The key condition is "fresh or chilled"; if frozen, dried or provisionally preserved, they are classified under other headings. The first 2 digits "07" represent Chapter 07: Edible vegetables, roots and tubers. The 3rd-4th digits "09" represent heading 0709: Other vegetables, fresh or chilled. The 5th-6th digits "20" represent subheading 070920: Asparagus, fresh or chilled. In the HS coding system, the first 2 digits are the chapter, the 3rd-4th digits are the heading, and the 5th-6th digits are the subheading (a 6-digit code in the Harmonized System). Subheading 070920 further distinguishes asparagus from other fresh vegetables for statistical and tariff management purposes. Note: Fresh asparagus refers only to asparagus that has not been frozen, dried or provisionally preserved; if frozen, it is classified under 0710, and if dried, under 0712. Fresh asparagus is a fresh or chilled vegetable and does not fall under any heading from 0701 to 0708, so it is classified under 0709 "Other vegetables, fresh or chilled." Under 0709, asparagus has a dedicated subheading 070920, so it is preferentially classified under this subheading rather than other subheadings such as 070930 (aubergines), 070940 (celery), etc. If asparagus is frozen or dried, it cannot be classified under 070920 but should be classified under 0710 or 0712 respectively.
Chapter
Chapter 07 covers edible vegetables, roots and tubers, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried or provisionally preserved vegetables. This chapter does not include plants grown as vegetables but used for the extraction of essential oils or for medicinal purposes (such as saffron, water hyssop), nor does it include coffee, tea, spices of Chapter 09, or milling products of Chapter 11. The core is vegetables for human consumption, whether or not they have undergone simple processing (such as peeling, cutting, blanching), but they must retain the essential character of vegetables.
Heading
Heading 0709 covers other vegetables, fresh or chilled, i.e., fresh or chilled vegetables other than those of headings 0701 to 0708 (potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cabbages, lettuces, carrots, cucumbers, legumes, etc.). This heading includes asparagus, aubergines, celery, mushrooms, peppers, spinach, pumpkins, etc. The key condition is "fresh or chilled"; if frozen, dried or provisionally preserved, they are classified under other headings.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits "07" represent Chapter 07: Edible vegetables, roots and tubers. The 3rd-4th digits "09" represent heading 0709: Other vegetables, fresh or chilled. The 5th-6th digits "20" represent subheading 070920: Asparagus, fresh or chilled. In the HS coding system, the first 2 digits are the chapter, the 3rd-4th digits are the heading, and the 5th-6th digits are the subheading (a 6-digit code in the Harmonized System). Subheading 070920 further distinguishes asparagus from other fresh vegetables for statistical and tariff management purposes. Note: Fresh asparagus refers only to asparagus that has not been frozen, dried or provisionally preserved; if frozen, it is classified under 0710, and if dried, under 0712.
Classification Basis
Fresh asparagus is a fresh or chilled vegetable and does not fall under any heading from 0701 to 0708, so it is classified under 0709 "Other vegetables, fresh or chilled." Under 0709, asparagus has a dedicated subheading 070920, so it is preferentially classified under this subheading rather than other subheadings such as 070930 (aubergines), 070940 (celery), etc. If asparagus is frozen or dried, it cannot be classified under 070920 but should be classified under 0710 or 0712 respectively.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity; should be filled in as "Fresh Asparagus" or "Fresh Green Asparagus," "Fresh White Asparagus," etc., avoiding the generic term "vegetables." Brand Type: Fill in the brand type of the commodity; if no brand, fill in "No Brand"; if branded, fill in the brand name. Export Preference Status: Fill in according to the actual trade situation, such as "Export goods do not enjoy preferential tariffs in the final destination country," etc. Method of Preparation or Preservation: Must indicate "fresh" or "chilled," e.g., "fresh," "chilled." This is the key to distinguishing headings. Grade: Fill in according to the actual quality grade of the commodity, such as "Grade I," "Grade II" or "ungraded." Packaging Specifications: Fill in the specific packaging method and specifications, such as "10 kg/carton," "500 g/bag," etc. Brand: Fill in the brand name (in Chinese or foreign language); if no brand, fill in "None." GTIN: Fill in if there is a Global Trade Item Number; if not, fill in "None." Product Name: Fresh Asparagus; Brand Type: No Brand; Export Preference Status: Export goods do not enjoy preferential tariffs in the final destination country; Method of Preparation or Preservation: Fresh; Grade: Grade I; Packaging Specifications: 10 kg/carton; Brand: None; GTIN: None. Mistakenly declaring "fresh asparagus" as "chilled asparagus," which, although under the same heading, may affect statistics. Ignoring the "Method of Preparation or Preservation" field without indicating "fresh," leading to classification disputes. Confusing asparagus with similar vegetables such as "canned asparagus," which should be classified under 2005.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity; should be filled in as "Fresh Asparagus" or "Fresh Green Asparagus," "Fresh White Asparagus," etc., avoiding the generic term "vegetables."
⚠️ Filling in as "Asparagus" without indicating "fresh," or mistakenly writing "frozen asparagus."
Brand Type
Fill in the brand type of the commodity; if no brand, fill in "No Brand"; if branded, fill in the brand name.
⚠️ Omitting the field or filling in "None" when there is actually a brand.
Export Preference Status
Fill in according to the actual trade situation, such as "Export goods do not enjoy preferential tariffs in the final destination country," etc.
⚠️ Incorrectly selecting "enjoys preference" without providing a certificate of origin.
Method of Preparation or Preservation
Must indicate "fresh" or "chilled," e.g., "fresh," "chilled." This is the key to distinguishing headings.
⚠️ Filling in "frozen" or "dried," leading to incorrect classification.
Grade
Fill in according to the actual quality grade of the commodity, such as "Grade I," "Grade II" or "ungraded."
⚠️ Omitting the field or filling in a false grade.
Packaging Specifications
Fill in the specific packaging method and specifications, such as "10 kg/carton," "500 g/bag," etc.
⚠️ Filling in "bulk" when actually packaged.
Brand
Fill in the brand name (in Chinese or foreign language); if no brand, fill in "None."
⚠️ Confusing with brand type and filling in duplicate.
GTIN
Fill in if there is a Global Trade Item Number; if not, fill in "None."
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in other codes.
Example： Product Name: Fresh Asparagus; Brand Type: No Brand; Export Preference Status: Export goods do not enjoy preferential tariffs in the final destination country; Method of Preparation or Preservation: Fresh; Grade: Grade I; Packaging Specifications: 10 kg/carton; Brand: None; GTIN: None.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly declaring "fresh asparagus" as "chilled asparagus," which, although under the same heading, may affect statistics.
Ignoring the "Method of Preparation or Preservation" field without indicating "fresh," leading to classification disputes.
Confusing asparagus with similar vegetables such as "canned asparagus," which should be classified under 2005.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: the commodity must be fresh or chilled asparagus and must not have undergone freezing, drying, provisional preservation or other treatments. Asparagus (scientific name Asparagus officinalis) belongs to the Liliaceae family, and its young shoots are used for food. In the HS, fresh or chilled asparagus has a dedicated subheading 070920, so as long as the "fresh or chilled" condition is met, it is classified under this code. If frozen, it is classified under 071080; if dried, under 071290; if provisionally preserved (e.g., in brine), under 0711. 071080 Frozen Asparagus: Frozen asparagus has undergone freezing, while fresh asparagus is only fresh or chilled, not frozen. 071290 Dried Asparagus: Dried asparagus has undergone dehydration and drying, while fresh asparagus remains in its fresh state. 071190 Provisionally Preserved Asparagus: Provisional preservation refers to short-term preservation with brine, sulphur dioxide, etc.; fresh asparagus has not undergone such treatment. 200560 Canned Asparagus: Canned asparagus has been processed into cans, while fresh asparagus is a primary agricultural product. 070990 Other Fresh or Chilled Vegetables: This subheading is a residual category; fresh asparagus already has a dedicated subheading 070920 and should not be classified under 070990. Has the commodity not been frozen, dried or provisionally preserved? Is the commodity only in a fresh or chilled state? Has it been confirmed that the product name is asparagus (Asparagus)? Have other headings such as 0710 and 0712 been checked? Has it been confirmed that there is no other processing such as cutting or blanching?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: the commodity must be fresh or chilled asparagus and must not have undergone freezing, drying, provisional preservation or other treatments. Asparagus (scientific name Asparagus officinalis) belongs to the Liliaceae family, and its young shoots are used for food. In the HS, fresh or chilled asparagus has a dedicated subheading 070920, so as long as the "fresh or chilled" condition is met, it is classified under this code. If frozen, it is classified under 071080; if dried, under 071290; if provisionally preserved (e.g., in brine), under 0711.
Confused Codes：
071080 - Frozen Asparagus
Frozen asparagus has undergone freezing, while fresh asparagus is only fresh or chilled, not frozen.
071290 - Dried Asparagus
Dried asparagus has undergone dehydration and drying, while fresh asparagus remains in its fresh state.
071190 - Provisionally Preserved Asparagus
Provisional preservation refers to short-term preservation with brine, sulphur dioxide, etc.; fresh asparagus has not undergone such treatment.
200560 - Canned Asparagus
Canned asparagus has been processed into cans, while fresh asparagus is a primary agricultural product.
070990 - Other Fresh or Chilled Vegetables
This subheading is a residual category; fresh asparagus already has a dedicated subheading 070920 and should not be classified under 070990.
Self-Check：
✓ Has the commodity not been frozen, dried or provisionally preserved?
✓ Is the commodity only in a fresh or chilled state?
✓ Has it been confirmed that the product name is asparagus (Asparagus)?
✓ Have other headings such as 0710 and 0712 been checked?
✓ Has it been confirmed that there is no other processing such as cutting or blanching?
❓ FAQ
Is there a difference in HS code between fresh asparagus and chilled asparagus? There is no difference. HS code 070920 covers "Asparagus, fresh or chilled," so both fresh asparagus and chilled asparagus are classified under the same code. However, when declaring, the "Method of Preparation or Preservation" field must clearly indicate "fresh" or "chilled." If asparagus has been cut but not frozen, which code should it be classified under? If asparagus has only undergone simple processing such as cutting or peeling and remains fresh or chilled, it is still classified under 070920. However, if it is frozen after cutting, it is classified under 071080. How can I check the import tariff rate for fresh asparagus? You can check the "Customs Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China" through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the "Internet + Customs" platform, and look up the MFN rate, general rate, etc., based on HS code 070920. You may also consult a professional customs broker. What documents are required for exporting fresh asparagus? Typically, a contract, invoice, packing list, customs declaration form, phytosanitary certificate, etc., are required. Depending on the destination country's requirements, a certificate of origin, health certificate, etc., may also be needed. It is recommended to confirm with the freight forwarder or customs in advance. What is the difference in classification between fresh asparagus and canned asparagus? Fresh asparagus is classified under 070920 as a primary agricultural product; canned asparagus is processed into cans and classified under 200560. The processing techniques and headings are completely different. If fresh asparagus is soaked in brine for provisional preservation, which code should it be classified under? If provisionally preserved in brine, etc., but not frozen, it should be classified under 071190 (vegetables provisionally preserved). If already frozen, it is classified under 071080. What are the regulatory conditions for HS code 070920? Importing fresh asparagus typically requires animal and plant quarantine approval and an import animal and plant quarantine permit. Export may need to comply with the quarantine requirements of the destination country. Specific regulatory conditions can be found in the "Table of Regulatory Document Codes" issued by the General Administration of Customs. How should the "Brand Type" declaration element for fresh asparagus be filled in? Brand type refers to the brand attribute of the commodity, and options include "No Brand," "Domestic Independent Brand," "Domestic Acquired Brand," "Foreign Brand (OEM Production)," "Foreign Brand (Other)," etc. Fill in according to the actual situation; if there is no brand, select "No Brand."
Q: Is there a difference in HS code between fresh asparagus and chilled asparagus?
A: There is no difference. HS code 070920 covers "Asparagus, fresh or chilled," so both fresh asparagus and chilled asparagus are classified under the same code. However, when declaring, the "Method of Preparation or Preservation" field must clearly indicate "fresh" or "chilled."
Q: If asparagus has been cut but not frozen, which code should it be classified under?
A: If asparagus has only undergone simple processing such as cutting or peeling and remains fresh or chilled, it is still classified under 070920. However, if it is frozen after cutting, it is classified under 071080.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for fresh asparagus?
A: You can check the "Customs Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China" through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the "Internet + Customs" platform, and look up the MFN rate, general rate, etc., based on HS code 070920. You may also consult a professional customs broker.
Q: What documents are required for exporting fresh asparagus?
A: Typically, a contract, invoice, packing list, customs declaration form, phytosanitary certificate, etc., are required. Depending on the destination country's requirements, a certificate of origin, health certificate, etc., may also be needed. It is recommended to confirm with the freight forwarder or customs in advance.
Q: What is the difference in classification between fresh asparagus and canned asparagus?
A: Fresh asparagus is classified under 070920 as a primary agricultural product; canned asparagus is processed into cans and classified under 200560. The processing techniques and headings are completely different.
Q: If fresh asparagus is soaked in brine for provisional preservation, which code should it be classified under?
A: If provisionally preserved in brine, etc., but not frozen, it should be classified under 071190 (vegetables provisionally preserved). If already frozen, it is classified under 071080.
Q: What are the regulatory conditions for HS code 070920?
A: Importing fresh asparagus typically requires animal and plant quarantine approval and an import animal and plant quarantine permit. Export may need to comply with the quarantine requirements of the destination country. Specific regulatory conditions can be found in the "Table of Regulatory Document Codes" issued by the General Administration of Customs.
Q: How should the "Brand Type" declaration element for fresh asparagus be filled in?
A: Brand type refers to the brand attribute of the commodity, and options include "No Brand," "Domestic Independent Brand," "Domestic Acquired Brand," "Foreign Brand (OEM Production)," "Foreign Brand (Other)," etc. Fill in according to the actual situation; if there is no brand, select "No Brand."
⚠️ 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.