Chapter 07 covers edible vegetables, roots and tubers, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried or provisionally preserved products. This chapter does not include seeds as propagating material (Chapter 12) or plant products as feed (Chapter 23). The core is vegetable commodities for human consumption, whether or not simply processed. Heading 0714 covers fresh or dried cassava, arrowroot, salep, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes and similar roots and tubers with high starch or inulin content, including sliced, cut into pieces or powdered products. However, sweet potato flour (fine powder) is classified under 1106, and meal under 1105. This heading emphasizes the fresh or dried state of root and tuber vegetables. The first 2 digits '07' represent Chapter 7: Edible vegetables, roots and tubers. The 3rd-4th digits '14' represent heading 0714: Fresh or dried cassava, arrowroot, salep, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes and similar roots and tubers. The 5th-6th digits '20' represent subheading 071420: Fresh or dried sweet potatoes (batatas, yams, etc.). Note: under 0714 there are also 071410 (cassava), 071430 (yams), 071440 (taro), 071450 (arrowleaf elephant ear), 071460 (arrowroot), 071490 (other). 071420 specifically refers to sweet potatoes, whether fresh or dried, but does not include sweet potato flour (classified under 1105/1106) or sweet potato starch (classified under 1108). Sweet potatoes are tubers with high starch content, meeting the description of heading 0714. They are not classified under other headings of Chapter 7 (such as 0701 potatoes, 0702 tomatoes), nor under Chapter 12 (oil seeds) or Chapter 11 (products of the milling industry). Fresh or dried sweet potatoes are directly classified under 071420. If sliced, cut into pieces or made into meal, they may still be classified under 0714, but fine powder and starch are classified under Chapter 11.
Chapter
Chapter 07 covers edible vegetables, roots and tubers, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried or provisionally preserved products. This chapter does not include seeds as propagating material (Chapter 12) or plant products as feed (Chapter 23). The core is vegetable commodities for human consumption, whether or not simply processed.
Heading
Heading 0714 covers fresh or dried cassava, arrowroot, salep, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes and similar roots and tubers with high starch or inulin content, including sliced, cut into pieces or powdered products. However, sweet potato flour (fine powder) is classified under 1106, and meal under 1105. This heading emphasizes the fresh or dried state of root and tuber vegetables.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits '07' represent Chapter 7: Edible vegetables, roots and tubers. The 3rd-4th digits '14' represent heading 0714: Fresh or dried cassava, arrowroot, salep, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes and similar roots and tubers. The 5th-6th digits '20' represent subheading 071420: Fresh or dried sweet potatoes (batatas, yams, etc.). Note: under 0714 there are also 071410 (cassava), 071430 (yams), 071440 (taro), 071450 (arrowleaf elephant ear), 071460 (arrowroot), 071490 (other). 071420 specifically refers to sweet potatoes, whether fresh or dried, but does not include sweet potato flour (classified under 1105/1106) or sweet potato starch (classified under 1108).
Classification Basis
Sweet potatoes are tubers with high starch content, meeting the description of heading 0714. They are not classified under other headings of Chapter 7 (such as 0701 potatoes, 0702 tomatoes), nor under Chapter 12 (oil seeds) or Chapter 11 (products of the milling industry). Fresh or dried sweet potatoes are directly classified under 071420. If sliced, cut into pieces or made into meal, they may still be classified under 0714, but fine powder and starch are classified under Chapter 11.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Fill in the specific commodity name, such as 'fresh sweet potatoes' or 'dried sweet potatoes', avoiding the generic term 'sweet potato'. State: Indicate 'fresh' or 'dried'. If dried, specify the drying method (e.g., sun-dried, oven-dried). Variety: Fill in the specific variety of sweet potato, such as 'Yanshu 25' or 'purple sweet potato', to facilitate customs identification. Use: Indicate edible, processing or seed use. Seed sweet potatoes may be classified under Chapter 12. Packaging specifications: Fill in the packaging method and weight per package, such as 'carton, 10 kg per carton'. Brand: If there is a brand, fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'none'. Processing method: Explain whether it has been sliced, cut into pieces, steamed, etc. Fresh or dried sweet potatoes are usually only simply cleaned. Customs declaration example:
Product name: Fresh sweet potatoes
State: Fresh
Variety: Yanshu 25
Use: Edible
Packaging specifications: Carton, 10 kg per carton
Brand: None
Processing method: Unprocessed, only cleaned
HS code: 0714200000
Declaration date: 2025-03-15
Remarks: Country of origin China, exported to Japan. Mistakenly classifying sweet potato flour (fine powder) under 071420, when it should actually be classified under 1106. Classifying frozen sweet potatoes under 071420, but frozen sweet potatoes should be classified under 0710. Classifying seed sweet potatoes under 071420, but seed sweet potatoes are usually classified under Chapter 12. Ignoring the 'fresh or dried' state and classifying steamed sweet potatoes under 071420.
Product name
Fill in the specific commodity name, such as 'fresh sweet potatoes' or 'dried sweet potatoes', avoiding the generic term 'sweet potato'.
⚠️ Writing only 'sweet potato' without indicating fresh or dried, leading to classification disputes.
State
Indicate 'fresh' or 'dried'. If dried, specify the drying method (e.g., sun-dried, oven-dried).
⚠️ Misdeclaring frozen sweet potatoes as fresh or dried, when they should actually be classified under 0714 or other subheadings of Chapter 7.
Variety
Fill in the specific variety of sweet potato, such as 'Yanshu 25' or 'purple sweet potato', to facilitate customs identification.
⚠️ Mixing up purple sweet potatoes and sweet potatoes in declaration, but purple sweet potatoes are usually also classified under 071420 and must be accurately distinguished.
Use
Indicate edible, processing or seed use. Seed sweet potatoes may be classified under Chapter 12.
⚠️ Declaring seed sweet potatoes as edible to evade quarantine or tariffs.
Packaging specifications
Fill in the packaging method and weight per package, such as 'carton, 10 kg per carton'.
⚠️ Omitting packaging specifications, affecting customs inspection and statistics.
Brand
If there is a brand, fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'none'.
⚠️ Ignoring the brand, leading to intellectual property infringement risks.
Processing method
Explain whether it has been sliced, cut into pieces, steamed, etc. Fresh or dried sweet potatoes are usually only simply cleaned.
⚠️ Misdeclaring steamed and then frozen sweet potatoes as fresh or dried, when they should actually be classified under 2004 or 0710.
Example： Customs declaration example:
Product name: Fresh sweet potatoes
State: Fresh
Variety: Yanshu 25
Use: Edible
Packaging specifications: Carton, 10 kg per carton
Brand: None
Processing method: Unprocessed, only cleaned
HS code: 0714200000
Declaration date: 2025-03-15
Remarks: Country of origin China, exported to Japan.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying sweet potato flour (fine powder) under 071420, when it should actually be classified under 1106.
Classifying frozen sweet potatoes under 071420, but frozen sweet potatoes should be classified under 0710.
Classifying seed sweet potatoes under 071420, but seed sweet potatoes are usually classified under Chapter 12.
Ignoring the 'fresh or dried' state and classifying steamed sweet potatoes under 071420.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: The commodity must be fresh or dried tubers of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), not processed beyond simple cleaning, slicing, cutting into pieces or coarse powder. If it is fine powder, starch, or deep-processed such as frozen or steamed, it is classified under Chapter 11, other headings of Chapter 7, or Chapter 20. At the same time, it is necessary to distinguish seed use from edible use; seed sweet potatoes are classified under Chapter 12. 071410 Fresh or dried cassava: Cassava and sweet potato belong to different genera. Cassava usually contains cyanogenic glycosides and requires special processing, and the appearance and taste are obviously different. 071430 Fresh or dried yams: Yams belong to the Dioscoreaceae family, while sweet potatoes belong to the Convolvulaceae family. Their botanical classification is different, and yams are more expensive. 071440 Fresh or dried taro: Taro belongs to the Araceae family, while sweet potatoes belong to the Convolvulaceae family. Taro contains calcium oxalate crystals and has a very different taste. 110590 Sweet potato meal: Sweet potato meal is classified under 1105, while fresh or dried sweet potatoes are classified under 071420. The difference lies in whether it is made into meal. 110620 Sweet potato flour: Sweet potato flour is classified under 1106, while fresh or dried sweet potatoes are classified under 071420. Fine powder is a further processed product. Is it clearly in a fresh or dried state? Has it been sliced, cut into pieces or powdered? Is it for seed use rather than edible use? Has it undergone deep processing such as freezing or steaming? Are sweet potatoes accurately distinguished from cassava, yams and taro?
Basis
Core basis for classification: The commodity must be fresh or dried tubers of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), not processed beyond simple cleaning, slicing, cutting into pieces or coarse powder. If it is fine powder, starch, or deep-processed such as frozen or steamed, it is classified under Chapter 11, other headings of Chapter 7, or Chapter 20. At the same time, it is necessary to distinguish seed use from edible use; seed sweet potatoes are classified under Chapter 12.
Confused Codes：
071410 - Fresh or dried cassava
Cassava and sweet potato belong to different genera. Cassava usually contains cyanogenic glycosides and requires special processing, and the appearance and taste are obviously different.
071430 - Fresh or dried yams
Yams belong to the Dioscoreaceae family, while sweet potatoes belong to the Convolvulaceae family. Their botanical classification is different, and yams are more expensive.
071440 - Fresh or dried taro
Taro belongs to the Araceae family, while sweet potatoes belong to the Convolvulaceae family. Taro contains calcium oxalate crystals and has a very different taste.
110590 - Sweet potato meal
Sweet potato meal is classified under 1105, while fresh or dried sweet potatoes are classified under 071420. The difference lies in whether it is made into meal.
110620 - Sweet potato flour
Sweet potato flour is classified under 1106, while fresh or dried sweet potatoes are classified under 071420. Fine powder is a further processed product.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it clearly in a fresh or dried state?
✓ Has it been sliced, cut into pieces or powdered?
✓ Is it for seed use rather than edible use?
✓ Has it undergone deep processing such as freezing or steaming?
✓ Are sweet potatoes accurately distinguished from cassava, yams and taro?
❓ FAQ
Are the HS codes for fresh sweet potatoes and dried sweet potatoes the same? Yes, both fresh and dried sweet potatoes are classified under 071420, because heading 0714 explicitly includes fresh or dried states. However, the state must be indicated at declaration for customs statistics and supervision. Which HS code should sweet potato flour be classified under? Sweet potato flour needs to be distinguished as meal and fine powder: meal is classified under 1105, and fine powder under 1106. If it is starch, it is classified under 1108. It cannot be classified under 071420, because 071420 only covers fresh or dried sweet potatoes. Can frozen sweet potatoes be classified under 071420? No. Frozen sweet potatoes should be classified under 0710 (frozen vegetables), because 071420 is limited to fresh or dried states. Freezing is deep processing and changes the classification. What is the HS code for seed sweet potatoes? Seed sweet potatoes are usually classified under Chapter 12 (oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder). The specific subheading depends on the use, and they are generally not classified under 071420. Are the HS codes for purple sweet potatoes and sweet potatoes the same? Purple sweet potatoes are a type of sweet potato. Fresh or dried purple sweet potatoes are also classified under 071420. However, the variety must be indicated at declaration for customs identification. How can I check the tariff rate for 071420? Tariff rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or consult a customs broker. Different countries of origin may apply different agreement rates. If sweet potatoes are sliced and sun-dried, should they be classified under 071420 or another code? If only simply sliced and sun-dried, they are still classified under 071420. But if further crushed into powder, they are classified under 1105 or 1106. Slicing and sun-drying does not change their basic fresh or dried characteristics. What declaration elements are required for exporting sweet potatoes? It is necessary to declare product name, state (fresh/dried), variety, use, packaging specifications, brand, processing method, etc. The specific requirements are subject to customs requirements. It is recommended to prepare contracts, invoices, packing lists and other documents in advance.
Q: Are the HS codes for fresh sweet potatoes and dried sweet potatoes the same?
A: Yes, both fresh and dried sweet potatoes are classified under 071420, because heading 0714 explicitly includes fresh or dried states. However, the state must be indicated at declaration for customs statistics and supervision.
Q: Which HS code should sweet potato flour be classified under?
A: Sweet potato flour needs to be distinguished as meal and fine powder: meal is classified under 1105, and fine powder under 1106. If it is starch, it is classified under 1108. It cannot be classified under 071420, because 071420 only covers fresh or dried sweet potatoes.
Q: Can frozen sweet potatoes be classified under 071420?
A: No. Frozen sweet potatoes should be classified under 0710 (frozen vegetables), because 071420 is limited to fresh or dried states. Freezing is deep processing and changes the classification.
Q: What is the HS code for seed sweet potatoes?
A: Seed sweet potatoes are usually classified under Chapter 12 (oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder). The specific subheading depends on the use, and they are generally not classified under 071420.
Q: Are the HS codes for purple sweet potatoes and sweet potatoes the same?
A: Purple sweet potatoes are a type of sweet potato. Fresh or dried purple sweet potatoes are also classified under 071420. However, the variety must be indicated at declaration for customs identification.
Q: How can I check the tariff rate for 071420?
A: Tariff rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or consult a customs broker. Different countries of origin may apply different agreement rates.
Q: If sweet potatoes are sliced and sun-dried, should they be classified under 071420 or another code?
A: If only simply sliced and sun-dried, they are still classified under 071420. But if further crushed into powder, they are classified under 1105 or 1106. Slicing and sun-drying does not change their basic fresh or dried characteristics.
Q: What declaration elements are required for exporting sweet potatoes?
A: It is necessary to declare product name, state (fresh/dried), variety, use, packaging specifications, brand, processing method, etc. The specific requirements are subject to customs requirements. It is recommended to prepare contracts, invoices, packing lists and other documents in advance.
⚠️ 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.