Chapter 08 covers edible fruit and nuts, peel of citrus fruit or melons, including products that are fresh, dried, frozen or provisionally preserved. This chapter is a core chapter in agricultural trade, involving many categories such as apples, citrus fruit, grapes, bananas, dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, mangoes, etc., but excludes oil seeds (Chapter 12), roasted coffee (Chapter 09) or cocoa-containing foods (Chapter 18). Heading 0804 covers dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, fresh or dried. The common feature of these fruits is that they are tropical or subtropical in nature and are usually traded in fresh or dried form. This heading is subdivided by specific variety, and dates (0804.10) are an important subheading among them, distinct from other dried fruits such as raisins (0806) or nuts (0801-0803). Code 080410 has 6 digits: the first 2 digits "08" represent Chapter 8 (edible fruit and nuts, peel of citrus fruit or melons); digits 3-4 "04" represent heading 0804 (dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, fresh or dried); digits 5-6 "10" represent subheading 0804.10, specifically referring to dates, fresh or dried. In the HS system, the first 4 digits are internationally uniform, and the last 2 digits are at the subheading level, which countries may further subdivide to 8-10 digits. The date (Phoenix dactylifera) belongs to the palm family, and its fruit can be eaten fresh or dried, possessing typical tropical fruit characteristics, and is therefore classified under Chapter 08. Under heading 0804, dates are listed alongside figs, pineapples, etc., but because their form, use and trade volume are independent, they are separately listed under subheading 0804.10. They are not classified under 0802 (other nuts) or 0806 (raisins), because dates are neither nuts nor of the genus Vitis.

Product name: Declare the specific commodity name, such as "fresh dates" or "dried dates", and avoid non-standard expressions such as "dried date fruit". Method of production or preservation: State whether fresh, dried, frozen or provisionally preserved; fresh or dried directly affects subheading attribution. State: Describe the state of the fruit, such as pitted, unpitted, whole, sliced, crushed, etc., which affects classification for further processing. Brand: Declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "none", used for customs intellectual property protection. Packaging specifications: Indicate the packaging type and net weight, such as "carton, 5 kg per carton" or "retail packaging, 500 g per bag". Country of origin: Fill in the actual country of origin, such as Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, etc., for free trade agreement tariff rates. Grade: Declare the commodity grade, such as premium, grade I, grade II, or grading by size, to facilitate customs valuation. Customs declaration example: Product name: Dried dates (pitted) HS code: 0804.10.00 Method of production and preservation: dried, cleaned, pitted, dried State: whole, pitted Brand: AL FOAH Packaging specifications: retail packaging, 500 g per bag, 20 bags per carton Country of origin: United Arab Emirates Grade: Grade I Declaration elements: 1. Product name: dried dates; 2. Method of production: dried; 3. State: pitted; 4. Brand: AL FOAH; 5. Packaging: retail bagged; 6. Country of origin: United Arab Emirates; 7. Grade: Grade I. Mistakenly classifying fresh dates under 0810 (other fresh fruit), when they should actually be classified under 0804.10. Confusing dates with figs; figs are 0804.20, so the product name must be verified. Ignoring the distinction between "fresh or dried", leading to an incorrect subheading. Failing to declare whether pitted or sliced, which may lead to classification under 2008 (fruit preparations). Incorrect declaration of the country of origin, affecting free trade agreement tariff preferences.

The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 08 and the subheading texts of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. Dates must be the fruit of the palm plant Phoenix dactylifera and must not have undergone processing beyond the scope of fresh, dried, frozen or provisionally preserved. If candied, cooked or made into cans, they are classified under Chapter 20. Fresh dates and dried dates both belong to 0804.10, but some countries subdivide them at the 8-10 digit level, so the national tariff schedule must be consulted. 0804.20 Figs, fresh or dried: Figs are plants of the mulberry family; their fruit shape and taste differ from dates, and they have an independent subheading. Dates are elongated oval with a pit, while figs are mostly pear-shaped with many seeds inside. 0806.20 Raisins: Raisins are dried fruits of the genus Vitis, small, seedless or with small seeds, whereas dates are larger and have a long pit. The processing techniques are similar, but the botanical sources are different. 0810.10 Fresh strawberries: Strawberries are berries, eaten fresh, not dried, and are classified under 0810. Dates can be fresh or dried, and their form and family/genus are completely different. 2008.19 Other nuts and seeds, prepared or preserved otherwise: If dates are candied, roasted or made into paste, they exceed the scope of 0804 and are classified under 2008. The core difference lies in the degree of processing. Confirm that the commodity is dates, not figs or raisins. Confirm that the state is fresh or dried, and that they have not been cooked or candied. Confirm that even if pitted or sliced, they still belong to 0804.10. Verify that the country of origin is consistent with the declaration. Check whether the packaging is retail, as this affects declaration elements.

Are the HS codes for fresh dates and dried dates the same? Yes, both fresh and dried dates are classified under 0804.10. The first 6 digits of the HS code are the same, but some countries subdivide fresh and dried at the 8-10 digit level. For example, in China's tariff schedule, 0804.1000 is dates, fresh or dried, without further distinction. When declaring, the product name must indicate fresh or dried. Does the HS code change after dates are pitted? Pitting is simple processing and does not change the basic characteristics of dates, so they still belong to 0804.10. However, if after pitting they are candied, roasted or made into date paste, they are classified under Chapter 20. When declaring, the state must be stated as "pitted". How can I check the import tariff rate for dates? First determine HS code 0804.10, then check the importing country's tariff schedule. For China, consult the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China, or check through the General Administration of Customs website or the single window. Tariff rates include MFN, interim, agreement rates, etc., and the applicable rate must be determined according to the country of origin. What are the requirements for a certificate of origin for dates? If preferential treatment under a free trade agreement is claimed, a certificate of origin issued by a designated agency is required, such as a China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement certificate of origin. The certificate must state the HS code, product name, quantity, country of origin, etc., and be consistent with the customs declaration. Without a certificate, the MFN rate applies. What is the difference in HS codes between dried dates and candied dates? Dried dates are 0804.10. If candied dates refer to sugar-preserved dates, they are classified under 2006 or 2008. If "candied dates" refers to a variety of dates, they still belong to 0804.10. The key is the processing technique; candying changes the classification. What HS code applies to cross-border e-commerce retail imports of dates? 0804.10 also applies, but cross-border e-commerce retail imports must be declared through a cross-border e-commerce platform and are subject to the cross-border e-commerce comprehensive tax. Note that the packaging must be retail and meet the positive list requirements. How is date powder classified? If date powder is made only by grinding dried dates without adding other ingredients, it still belongs to 0804.10. However, if it is mixed with other substances or made into an instant drink, it may be classified under Chapter 21. Classification must be judged based on ingredients and processing. What declaration elements are required for exporting dates? Export declaration elements include product name, method of production, state, brand, packaging specifications, country of origin, grade, etc. The specific requirements are subject to the customs of the exporting country. For Chinese exports, refer to the Standards for Filling in Import and Export Goods Declaration Forms of the Customs of the People's Republic of China.