Chapter 08 covers edible fruit and nuts, peels of citrus fruit or melons, mainly including fresh or dried fruit, nuts and plant parts used for extracting essential oils or beverages. Products of this chapter are mostly agricultural products for direct consumption, involving tariff quotas, quarantine and seasonal fluctuations. Heading 0802 belongs to the nut category in this chapter, but areca nut is botanically a seed and is often treated as a nut in trade. Heading 0802 covers other nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled. Specifically includes almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts, pistachios, areca nuts, etc. Under this heading, nuts are subdivided by type, with areca nut listed as a separate subheading, reflecting its special trade status and use. First 2 digits 08: indicates Chapter 08, edible fruit and nuts. Digits 3-4, 02: indicates heading 0802, other nuts, fresh or dried. Digits 5-6, 80: indicates subheading 080280, areca nuts, fresh or dried. The 5th digit 8 represents the sequential number of areca nut under heading 0802, and the 6th digit 0 indicates no further subdivision (e.g., shelled or unshelled not separately listed). The complete code 080280 is the full HS code for areca nuts, fresh or dried. Areca nut belongs to the nut category and is usually traded fresh or dried, hence classified under 0802. It is not classified under 0801 (coconuts, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts) because of different form and use; not under 0810 (other fresh fruit) because areca nut is generally regarded as a nut rather than fruit; not under 1211 (medicinal plants) because areca nut is mainly used as a chewing stimulant rather than primarily medicinal.
Chapter
Chapter 08 covers edible fruit and nuts, peels of citrus fruit or melons, mainly including fresh or dried fruit, nuts and plant parts used for extracting essential oils or beverages. Products of this chapter are mostly agricultural products for direct consumption, involving tariff quotas, quarantine and seasonal fluctuations. Heading 0802 belongs to the nut category in this chapter, but areca nut is botanically a seed and is often treated as a nut in trade.
Heading
Heading 0802 covers other nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled. Specifically includes almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts, pistachios, areca nuts, etc. Under this heading, nuts are subdivided by type, with areca nut listed as a separate subheading, reflecting its special trade status and use.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 08: indicates Chapter 08, edible fruit and nuts. Digits 3-4, 02: indicates heading 0802, other nuts, fresh or dried. Digits 5-6, 80: indicates subheading 080280, areca nuts, fresh or dried. The 5th digit 8 represents the sequential number of areca nut under heading 0802, and the 6th digit 0 indicates no further subdivision (e.g., shelled or unshelled not separately listed). The complete code 080280 is the full HS code for areca nuts, fresh or dried.
Classification Basis
Areca nut belongs to the nut category and is usually traded fresh or dried, hence classified under 0802. It is not classified under 0801 (coconuts, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts) because of different form and use; not under 0810 (other fresh fruit) because areca nut is generally regarded as a nut rather than fruit; not under 1211 (medicinal plants) because areca nut is mainly used as a chewing stimulant rather than primarily medicinal.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity should state "fresh areca nut" or "dried areca nut", avoiding colloquial terms such as "betel nut". State: Clearly declare the physical state as fresh, dried, shelled, unshelled, sliced or not, etc. Use: State the use, such as for consumption, chewing, industrial extraction, etc. Brand Type: Fill in the brand name or "no brand"; if no brand, it must be stated. Packaging Specifications: Indicate the packaging method and weight per package, such as "25 kg/bag". Origin: Fill in the specific country or region, such as "Indonesia". Production Date: Fresh nuts require the harvest date; dried nuts require the processing date. Product Name: Dried areca nut; State: unshelled, unsliced; Use: for chewing; Brand: no brand; Packaging Specifications: 25 kg/bag; Origin: Indonesia; Production Date: 2025-03-15; Quantity: 1000 kg; Unit Price: USD 2.5/kg; Total Price: USD 2500. Fresh and dried nuts not distinguished, which may lead to classification errors or different quarantine requirements. Failure to indicate whether shelled, affecting the accurate application of subheading 080280. Untruthful declaration of use, such as declaring chewing use as medicinal, which may involve license management.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity should state "fresh areca nut" or "dried areca nut", avoiding colloquial terms such as "betel nut".
⚠️ Only writing "areca nut" without distinguishing fresh or dried, leading to classification disputes.
State
Clearly declare the physical state as fresh, dried, shelled, unshelled, sliced or not, etc.
⚠️ Failing to indicate shelled or unshelled, affecting subheading determination.
Use
State the use, such as for consumption, chewing, industrial extraction, etc.
⚠️ Vague use description such as "for consumption", without distinguishing direct chewing or processing.
Brand Type
Fill in the brand name or "no brand"; if no brand, it must be stated.
⚠️ Brand field left blank or filled in untruthfully.
Packaging Specifications
Indicate the packaging method and weight per package, such as "25 kg/bag".
Fill in the specific country or region, such as "Indonesia".
⚠️ Origin not specific, such as "Southeast Asia".
Production Date
Fresh nuts require the harvest date; dried nuts require the processing date.
⚠️ Date format non-standard or missing.
Example： Product Name: Dried areca nut; State: unshelled, unsliced; Use: for chewing; Brand: no brand; Packaging Specifications: 25 kg/bag; Origin: Indonesia; Production Date: 2025-03-15; Quantity: 1000 kg; Unit Price: USD 2.5/kg; Total Price: USD 2500.
Common Mistakes：
Fresh and dried nuts not distinguished, which may lead to classification errors or different quarantine requirements.
Failure to indicate whether shelled, affecting the accurate application of subheading 080280.
Untruthful declaration of use, such as declaring chewing use as medicinal, which may involve license management.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the actual state, botanical characteristics and trade use of the commodity. Areca nut is the seed of the areca palm plant, usually traded fresh or dried, meeting the definition of 0802 "other nuts". If deeply processed (such as sliced, flavored, made into betel quid), it may exceed the scope of 0802 and be classified under other chapters (such as 2008 or 2106). 0801 Coconuts, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts: 0801 covers specific nuts; areca nut does not belong to these types, and its form and use are different. 0810 Other fresh fruit: 0810 covers fresh fruit; areca nut is generally regarded as a nut, and when dried is still classified under 0802. 1211 Plants used primarily as perfume, pharmacy, insecticide, etc.: 1211 applies to plants primarily used for medicinal or insecticidal purposes; areca nut is mainly used as a chewing stimulant and is not classified here. 2008 Fruit and nuts prepared or preserved by other methods: 2008 applies to deeply processed areca nut (such as flavored, made into quid); simply processed fresh or dried areca nut is classified under 0802. Is the fresh or dried state clearly declared? Is shelled or unshelled indicated? Is the use specific, not vaguely described? Is the certificate of origin provided? Are the packaging specifications clear and complete?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the actual state, botanical characteristics and trade use of the commodity. Areca nut is the seed of the areca palm plant, usually traded fresh or dried, meeting the definition of 0802 "other nuts". If deeply processed (such as sliced, flavored, made into betel quid), it may exceed the scope of 0802 and be classified under other chapters (such as 2008 or 2106).
Confused Codes：
0801 - Coconuts, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts
0801 covers specific nuts; areca nut does not belong to these types, and its form and use are different.
0810 - Other fresh fruit
0810 covers fresh fruit; areca nut is generally regarded as a nut, and when dried is still classified under 0802.
1211 - Plants used primarily as perfume, pharmacy, insecticide, etc.
1211 applies to plants primarily used for medicinal or insecticidal purposes; areca nut is mainly used as a chewing stimulant and is not classified here.
2008 - Fruit and nuts prepared or preserved by other methods
2008 applies to deeply processed areca nut (such as flavored, made into quid); simply processed fresh or dried areca nut is classified under 0802.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the fresh or dried state clearly declared?
✓ Is shelled or unshelled indicated?
✓ Is the use specific, not vaguely described?
✓ Is the certificate of origin provided?
✓ Are the packaging specifications clear and complete?
❓ FAQ
Are the HS codes for fresh areca nut and dried areca nut the same? Yes, both fresh and dried areca nut are classified under 080280, as the subheading is not subdivided by fresh or dried. However, the state must be clearly declared, as quarantine and tax rates may differ. Is shelled areca nut still classified under 080280? Yes, 080280 covers areca nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled. However, if further processed (such as sliced, flavored), it may be classified under other codes. If areca nut is used for medicinal purposes, which code should it be classified under? If areca nut is primarily used for medicinal purposes and meets the description of 1211, it may be classified under 1211. However, if only simply dried, it is still classified under 080280. Judgment should be based on actual use and depth of processing. How to check the import tariff rate for areca nut? You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the customs commodity code inquiry system, enter 080280, and check the MFN rate, general rate and VAT rate. Rates may change, subject to the latest publication. What regulatory documents are required for importing areca nut? Usually a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, inbound goods customs clearance form, etc. are required. Specific requirements depend on the exporting country and China's quarantine requirements; it is recommended to consult the local customs. In the declaration elements for areca nut, how should the brand type be filled in? If the areca nut has no brand, fill in "no brand"; if it has a brand, fill in the brand name. Brand type does not affect classification but affects customs statistics. What is the difference in classification between areca nut and betel quid? Fresh or dried areca nut is classified under 080280; betel quid is usually flavored and packaged, and may be classified under 2008 or 2106. The key difference lies in whether it has been deeply processed. For cross-border e-commerce sales of areca nut, how should the HS code be selected? If selling fresh or dried areca nut, use 080280; if it is a processed product, classify according to the processing method. Also note the restrictions of the cross-border e-commerce retail import commodity list.
Q: Are the HS codes for fresh areca nut and dried areca nut the same?
A: Yes, both fresh and dried areca nut are classified under 080280, as the subheading is not subdivided by fresh or dried. However, the state must be clearly declared, as quarantine and tax rates may differ.
Q: Is shelled areca nut still classified under 080280?
A: Yes, 080280 covers areca nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled. However, if further processed (such as sliced, flavored), it may be classified under other codes.
Q: If areca nut is used for medicinal purposes, which code should it be classified under?
A: If areca nut is primarily used for medicinal purposes and meets the description of 1211, it may be classified under 1211. However, if only simply dried, it is still classified under 080280. Judgment should be based on actual use and depth of processing.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for areca nut?
A: You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the customs commodity code inquiry system, enter 080280, and check the MFN rate, general rate and VAT rate. Rates may change, subject to the latest publication.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for importing areca nut?
A: Usually a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, inbound goods customs clearance form, etc. are required. Specific requirements depend on the exporting country and China's quarantine requirements; it is recommended to consult the local customs.
Q: In the declaration elements for areca nut, how should the brand type be filled in?
A: If the areca nut has no brand, fill in "no brand"; if it has a brand, fill in the brand name. Brand type does not affect classification but affects customs statistics.
Q: What is the difference in classification between areca nut and betel quid?
A: Fresh or dried areca nut is classified under 080280; betel quid is usually flavored and packaged, and may be classified under 2008 or 2106. The key difference lies in whether it has been deeply processed.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of areca nut, how should the HS code be selected?
A: If selling fresh or dried areca nut, use 080280; if it is a processed product, classify according to the processing method. Also note the restrictions of the cross-border e-commerce retail import commodity list.
⚠️ 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.