Chapter 08 covers edible fruit and nuts, peel of citrus fruit or melons, mainly including fresh or dried fruit, nuts, and peel mainly used for consumption. The goods in this chapter are mostly plant products and involve horticultural classification, but do not include vegetables (Chapter 07), roasted coffee substitutes (Chapter 09), or oil seeds and oleaginous fruits (Chapter 12). Fresh watermelons, as a typical fruit, are classified in this chapter. Heading 0807 covers fresh melons (including watermelons) and papayas. It specifically includes watermelons, melons, papayas, etc., whether or not peeled, seeded, or cut into pieces, but they must remain fresh. It does not include frozen (classified in 0811) or provisionally preserved (classified in 0814) products of the same kind. Code 080711 is a six-digit subheading: the first two digits 08 indicate Chapter 8, "Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons"; digits 3-4, 07, indicate the heading "Fresh melons (including watermelons) and papayas"; digits 5-6, 11, indicate the subheading "Watermelons," further limited to fresh watermelons. Therefore, 080711 precisely refers to fresh watermelons, regardless of variety or origin. Fresh watermelons belong to the category of fresh melons and have not undergone freezing, drying, or provisional preservation, so they are classified under 0807 rather than 0811 (frozen fruit) or 0814 (provisionally preserved fruit). At the same time, watermelons do not belong to citrus fruit (0805) or pome fruit (0808), so they are classified under 0807.
Chapter
Chapter 08 covers edible fruit and nuts, peel of citrus fruit or melons, mainly including fresh or dried fruit, nuts, and peel mainly used for consumption. The goods in this chapter are mostly plant products and involve horticultural classification, but do not include vegetables (Chapter 07), roasted coffee substitutes (Chapter 09), or oil seeds and oleaginous fruits (Chapter 12). Fresh watermelons, as a typical fruit, are classified in this chapter.
Heading
Heading 0807 covers fresh melons (including watermelons) and papayas. It specifically includes watermelons, melons, papayas, etc., whether or not peeled, seeded, or cut into pieces, but they must remain fresh. It does not include frozen (classified in 0811) or provisionally preserved (classified in 0814) products of the same kind.
Digit Breakdown
Code 080711 is a six-digit subheading: the first two digits 08 indicate Chapter 8, "Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons"; digits 3-4, 07, indicate the heading "Fresh melons (including watermelons) and papayas"; digits 5-6, 11, indicate the subheading "Watermelons," further limited to fresh watermelons. Therefore, 080711 precisely refers to fresh watermelons, regardless of variety or origin.
Classification Basis
Fresh watermelons belong to the category of fresh melons and have not undergone freezing, drying, or provisional preservation, so they are classified under 0807 rather than 0811 (frozen fruit) or 0814 (provisionally preserved fruit). At the same time, watermelons do not belong to citrus fruit (0805) or pome fruit (0808), so they are classified under 0807.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "fresh watermelons," and the variety name may be added, such as "Qilin watermelon." Brand type: Select "No brand," "Domestic independent brand," "Foreign brand (OEM production)," etc., according to the actual labeling. Export preferential treatment status: Fill in according to whether preferential export tariff treatment is enjoyed, such as "Export goods enjoy preferential tariffs in the final destination country." Production or preservation method: Fill in "Fresh," indicating that it has not undergone freezing, drying, or other processing. Grade: Fill in according to industry standards or contract requirements, such as "Grade I" or "Premium." Type: Fill in the specific variety, such as "seedless watermelon" or "Black Beauty." Origin: Fill in the growing origin of the watermelon, such as "Hainan, China." Product name: Fresh watermelon (variety: Qilin watermelon); Brand type: No brand; Export preferential treatment status: Export goods enjoy preferential tariffs in the final destination country; Production or preservation method: Fresh; Grade: Grade I; Type: Qilin watermelon; Origin: Hainan, China. Misreporting chilled watermelons as fresh watermelons, but if only chilled for freshness they are still classified under 080711; if frozen, they are classified under 0811. Ignoring the declaration of brand type, causing customs to question the intellectual property status. Failing to fill in the export preferential treatment status, missing the opportunity for tariff preferences.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "fresh watermelons," and the variety name may be added, such as "Qilin watermelon."
⚠️ Writing it as "watermelons" without indicating "fresh," or incorrectly adding modifiers such as "frozen."
Brand type
Select "No brand," "Domestic independent brand," "Foreign brand (OEM production)," etc., according to the actual labeling.
⚠️ Failing to declare the brand truthfully, or confusing brand with variety.
Export preferential treatment status
Fill in according to whether preferential export tariff treatment is enjoyed, such as "Export goods enjoy preferential tariffs in the final destination country."
⚠️ Ignoring this column, resulting in failure to enjoy free trade agreement preferences.
Production or preservation method
Fill in "Fresh," indicating that it has not undergone freezing, drying, or other processing.
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in "Chilled" or "Frozen," resulting in classification errors.
Grade
Fill in according to industry standards or contract requirements, such as "Grade I" or "Premium."
⚠️ Failing to declare according to the actual grade, or inconsistency with the contract.
Type
Fill in the specific variety, such as "seedless watermelon" or "Black Beauty."
⚠️ Generally filling in "watermelon" without specifying the variety.
Origin
Fill in the growing origin of the watermelon, such as "Hainan, China."
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in the place of shipment or processing.
Example： Product name: Fresh watermelon (variety: Qilin watermelon); Brand type: No brand; Export preferential treatment status: Export goods enjoy preferential tariffs in the final destination country; Production or preservation method: Fresh; Grade: Grade I; Type: Qilin watermelon; Origin: Hainan, China.
Common Mistakes：
Misreporting chilled watermelons as fresh watermelons, but if only chilled for freshness they are still classified under 080711; if frozen, they are classified under 0811.
Ignoring the declaration of brand type, causing customs to question the intellectual property status.
Failing to fill in the export preferential treatment status, missing the opportunity for tariff preferences.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 8 of the Import and Export Tariff and the subheading texts. Fresh watermelons must meet the "fresh" condition, that is, they must not have undergone freezing, drying, provisional preservation, or other processing. At the same time, watermelons belong to the melon category, so they are classified under 0807. If frozen, they are classified under 0811; if only provisionally preserved (such as preserved with sulfur dioxide gas), they are classified under 0814. In addition, attention must be paid to the distinction from vegetables; as a fruit, watermelon is not classified under Chapter 7. 080719 Other fresh melons: 080719 covers other fresh melons besides watermelons, such as Hami melons and muskmelons. Because watermelons are listed under a separate subheading, 080711, they are not classified under 080719. 0811 Frozen fruit and nuts: 0811 covers frozen fruit. If watermelons have undergone freezing, they are classified under 0811, not 080711. 0814 Provisionally preserved fruit and nuts: 0814 covers fruit provisionally preserved (such as with sulfur dioxide gas, brine, etc.). If watermelons are only provisionally preserved but not suitable for direct consumption, they are classified under 0814. 0707 Fresh or chilled cucumbers and gherkins: 0707 is vegetables, while watermelons are fruit. They are in different chapters and must not be confused. 0805 Fresh or dried citrus fruit: 0805 is citrus fruit. Watermelons are not citrus fruit, so they are classified under 0807. Confirm that the commodity is fresh and has not been frozen, dried, or provisionally preserved. Confirm that the commodity is watermelon, not other melons or fruits. Confirm that declaration elements such as brand and grade are complete and accurate. Confirm whether free trade agreement preferences are enjoyed, and correctly fill in the preferential treatment status. Confirm that the origin is consistent with the actual growing place to avoid false declaration.
Basis
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 8 of the Import and Export Tariff and the subheading texts. Fresh watermelons must meet the "fresh" condition, that is, they must not have undergone freezing, drying, provisional preservation, or other processing. At the same time, watermelons belong to the melon category, so they are classified under 0807. If frozen, they are classified under 0811; if only provisionally preserved (such as preserved with sulfur dioxide gas), they are classified under 0814. In addition, attention must be paid to the distinction from vegetables; as a fruit, watermelon is not classified under Chapter 7.
Confused Codes：
080719 - Other fresh melons
080719 covers other fresh melons besides watermelons, such as Hami melons and muskmelons. Because watermelons are listed under a separate subheading, 080711, they are not classified under 080719.
0811 - Frozen fruit and nuts
0811 covers frozen fruit. If watermelons have undergone freezing, they are classified under 0811, not 080711.
0814 - Provisionally preserved fruit and nuts
0814 covers fruit provisionally preserved (such as with sulfur dioxide gas, brine, etc.). If watermelons are only provisionally preserved but not suitable for direct consumption, they are classified under 0814.
0707 - Fresh or chilled cucumbers and gherkins
0707 is vegetables, while watermelons are fruit. They are in different chapters and must not be confused.
0805 - Fresh or dried citrus fruit
0805 is citrus fruit. Watermelons are not citrus fruit, so they are classified under 0807.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm that the commodity is fresh and has not been frozen, dried, or provisionally preserved.
✓ Confirm that the commodity is watermelon, not other melons or fruits.
✓ Confirm that declaration elements such as brand and grade are complete and accurate.
✓ Confirm whether free trade agreement preferences are enjoyed, and correctly fill in the preferential treatment status.
✓ Confirm that the origin is consistent with the actual growing place to avoid false declaration.
❓ FAQ
What is the HS code for fresh watermelons? The HS code for fresh watermelons is 080711, under Chapter 8, fresh melons (including watermelons) and papayas, specifically the watermelon subheading. What is the difference between the HS codes for chilled watermelons and frozen watermelons? Chilled watermelons, if only kept fresh, are still classified under 080711, but if they have undergone freezing, they are classified under 0811 (frozen fruit). The key difference between chilling and freezing is whether the temperature is below freezing point and causes the product to freeze. Can preferential tariffs be enjoyed when exporting fresh watermelons to ASEAN countries? If the rules of origin under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement are met, preferential tariffs can be enjoyed with a certificate of origin. The specific rate must be checked in the agreement tariff schedule, and the export preferential treatment status must be filled in correctly. When declaring fresh watermelons, how should the production or preservation method be filled in? It should be filled in as "Fresh," indicating that it has not undergone freezing, drying, or other processing. If "Chilled" is filled in, it may cause classification disputes, but if it is actually only chilled for freshness, it is still classified under 080711. Among the declaration elements for fresh watermelons, how should the brand type be selected? Select according to the actual labeling: no brand, domestic independent brand, foreign brand (OEM production), etc. If the watermelons have no brand, select "No brand." Is it possible for fresh watermelons to be classified under Chapter 7 as vegetables? No. Watermelons are fruit. According to HS classification, fruit is classified under Chapter 8, and vegetables under Chapter 7. Watermelons are specifically named in Chapter 8. How can the import tariff rate for fresh watermelons be checked? You can check the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China or the website of the General Administration of Customs, and determine the MFN rate, agreement rate, or general rate according to the country of origin. Tariff rates may change, so the latest published version shall prevail. What are the inspection and quarantine requirements for fresh watermelons? Exported fresh watermelons must meet the plant quarantine requirements of the importing country. Fumigation treatment is usually required, and a phytosanitary certificate must be issued. For details, consult customs or a professional customs broker.
Q: What is the HS code for fresh watermelons?
A: The HS code for fresh watermelons is 080711, under Chapter 8, fresh melons (including watermelons) and papayas, specifically the watermelon subheading.
Q: What is the difference between the HS codes for chilled watermelons and frozen watermelons?
A: Chilled watermelons, if only kept fresh, are still classified under 080711, but if they have undergone freezing, they are classified under 0811 (frozen fruit). The key difference between chilling and freezing is whether the temperature is below freezing point and causes the product to freeze.
Q: Can preferential tariffs be enjoyed when exporting fresh watermelons to ASEAN countries?
A: If the rules of origin under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement are met, preferential tariffs can be enjoyed with a certificate of origin. The specific rate must be checked in the agreement tariff schedule, and the export preferential treatment status must be filled in correctly.
Q: When declaring fresh watermelons, how should the production or preservation method be filled in?
A: It should be filled in as "Fresh," indicating that it has not undergone freezing, drying, or other processing. If "Chilled" is filled in, it may cause classification disputes, but if it is actually only chilled for freshness, it is still classified under 080711.
Q: Among the declaration elements for fresh watermelons, how should the brand type be selected?
A: Select according to the actual labeling: no brand, domestic independent brand, foreign brand (OEM production), etc. If the watermelons have no brand, select "No brand."
Q: Is it possible for fresh watermelons to be classified under Chapter 7 as vegetables?
A: No. Watermelons are fruit. According to HS classification, fruit is classified under Chapter 8, and vegetables under Chapter 7. Watermelons are specifically named in Chapter 8.
Q: How can the import tariff rate for fresh watermelons be checked?
A: You can check the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China or the website of the General Administration of Customs, and determine the MFN rate, agreement rate, or general rate according to the country of origin. Tariff rates may change, so the latest published version shall prevail.
Q: What are the inspection and quarantine requirements for fresh watermelons?
A: Exported fresh watermelons must meet the plant quarantine requirements of the importing country. Fumigation treatment is usually required, and a phytosanitary certificate must be issued. For details, consult customs or a professional customs broker.
⚠️ 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.