Chapter 07 covers edible vegetables, roots and tubers, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried or provisionally preserved vegetables. This chapter does not include goods classified as live plants under Chapter 06, nor products classified as vegetable seeds (under Chapter 12). Headings are mainly divided by variety and degree of processing, such as 0701 potatoes, 0702 tomatoes, 0703 alliaceous vegetables, etc. Heading 0709 covers other fresh or chilled vegetables, i.e., fresh or chilled vegetables not named in preceding headings (0701 to 0708). Includes celery, spinach, lettuce, sweet corn, cucumbers, mushrooms, etc. Note: 0709 does not include frozen vegetables (classified under 0710) or provisionally preserved vegetables (classified under 0711). First 2 digits 07: indicates Chapter 07, edible vegetables, roots and tubers. Digits 3-4 09: indicates heading 0709, other fresh or chilled vegetables. Digits 5-6 40: indicates subheading 070940, i.e., celery (fresh or chilled). Note: 070940 refers only to fresh or chilled celery, excluding frozen celery (0710) or dried celery (0712). Fresh celery is a fresh or chilled vegetable and is not named in preceding headings (such as 0701-0708), therefore classified under 0709. Under 0709, it is further subdivided by variety, with celery corresponding to 070940. It is distinguished from frozen celery (0710) or dried celery (0712), and also from other fresh vegetables such as spinach (070970) or lettuce (070511).

Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, should use standard Chinese or English, such as "鲜芹菜" or "Fresh celery". State: Indicate the physical state of the vegetable, such as fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, etc. For 070940, it must be fresh or chilled. Variety: The specific variety of celery, such as local celery, western celery, etc., helps customs accurately classify. Grade: Grade classified according to trade practice or standards, such as Grade A, Grade B, etc., affecting price and regulatory conditions. Packaging Specification: Packaging method and weight or quantity per package, such as "10kg/carton". Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, declare "none". Origin: The place where the vegetable is grown, specific to country or region, such as "Shandong, China". Product Name: Fresh celery; State: Fresh; Variety: Western celery; Grade: Grade A; Packaging Specification: 10kg/carton; Brand: None; Origin: Shandong Province, China. Mistaking chilled celery as fresh celery, but if temperature is below 0°C it may be considered frozen and should be classified under 0710. Ignoring variety declaration, causing customs unable to distinguish celery from other similar vegetables, affecting classification. Not declaring brand, if involving well-known brands may constitute infringement, customs will detain goods.

Core basis for classification: The commodity must be fresh or chilled celery, and not subjected to other processing (such as freezing, drying, provisional preservation). According to Chapter 07 notes of the Import and Export Tariff, fresh or chilled vegetables are classified under 0709, and celery is further classified under 070940. If celery is frozen, it is classified under 0710; if dried, under 0712; if provisionally preserved (such as with sulfur dioxide gas), under 0711. 0710 Frozen vegetables: Frozen celery has been frozen, with core temperature below -18°C, while fresh celery is only chilled or untreated. 0711 Provisionally preserved vegetables: Provisionally preserved celery uses sulfur dioxide gas, brine, etc. for preservation, but maintains freshness, while fresh celery has no such treatment. 0712 Dried vegetables: Dried celery has been dehydrated or dried, with low moisture content, while fresh celery has high moisture content. 070970 Fresh spinach: Spinach and celery have different forms; spinach is classified under 070970, celery under 070940. Confirm the commodity state is fresh or chilled, not frozen, dried or provisionally preserved. Confirm the commodity is celery, not other vegetables such as spinach or lettuce. Confirm no processing such as cutting or peeling (if only roots and leaves removed, still classified under 0709). Confirm packaging meets fresh vegetable transportation requirements, not vacuum packaging or sterilized packaging. Confirm declaration elements are complete, including variety, grade, origin, etc.

What is the difference in HS codes between fresh celery and frozen celery? Fresh celery is classified under 070940, frozen celery under 0710. The difference lies in whether it has been frozen; freezing usually means core temperature below -18°C. If only chilled (around 0°C), it is still classified as fresh celery. How to inquire about the import tariff rate for fresh celery? The import tariff rate depends on the country of origin and trade agreements. You can check the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China or inquire through the General Administration of Customs website or single window. Note the applicable conditions for MFN rate, agreement rate, and general rate. Is a phytosanitary certificate required when declaring fresh celery? Yes, importing fresh celery usually requires an official phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country and must comply with China's entry plant quarantine requirements. Specifically, check the access list and quarantine requirements published by the General Administration of Customs. Can fresh celery enjoy the RCEP agreement rate? If the country of origin is an RCEP member and meets the rules of origin, you can apply for the agreement rate. You need to provide a certificate of origin or declaration of origin and meet conditions such as direct transport. The specific rate needs to be checked in the current year's tariff. Are fresh celery and western celery the same HS code? Yes, western celery is a type of celery, and fresh or chilled western celery is also classified under 070940. However, the variety must be indicated during declaration for customs statistics and supervision. What HS code is needed for exporting fresh celery to the EU? The EU HS code is consistent with China's first 6 digits, fresh celery is 070940. However, the EU may have more detailed 8-digit or 10-digit codes, which need to be checked in the EU TARIC database. If fresh celery is cut, is it still classified under 070940? If only simple processing such as removing roots, leaves, and washing, it is still classified under 070940. But if cut into segments or shreds, it may be classified under 0710 (frozen) or 0711 (provisionally preserved), or under Chapter 20 as processed vegetables. How to avoid classification errors when declaring fresh celery? Focus on confirming the state is fresh or chilled, the variety is celery, and it has not been frozen, dried or provisionally preserved. Provide clear product name, state, variety and other information, and apply for pre-classification if necessary.