Chapter 08 covers edible fruit and nuts, peel of citrus fruit or melons, including fresh, frozen, dried or provisionally preserved fruit. This chapter does not include: prepared jams, fruit jellies (Chapter 20); roasted nuts (Chapter 20); essential oils of fruit (Chapter 33); fruit for medicinal use (Chapter 30). The core is primary form fruit products, whether or not cut, crushed, peeled, as long as they retain the essential characteristics of fruit. Heading 0812 covers fruit and nuts provisionally preserved (for example, by sulphur dioxide gas, in brine, in sulphur water or in other preservative solutions), but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption. These products require further processing (such as canning, making into jam) before consumption. The key characteristic is 'provisional preservation' for transport or storage, rather than final consumption form. First 2 digits 08: Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons. Digits 3-4 12: Fruit and nuts provisionally preserved. Digits 5-6 10: Subheading 0812.10, specifically cherries. Code 081210 means: Chapter 08 + heading 0812 + subheading 10, fully indicating provisionally preserved cherries. The goods are cherries, and have been provisionally preserved (such as with sulphur dioxide, brine, etc.), not suitable for immediate consumption, requiring further processing. Therefore classified under 0812 rather than 0802 (fresh or dried cherries) or 2008 (fruit preparations). If the cherries have been made into cans or jam, then classified under Chapter 20.
Chapter
Chapter 08 covers edible fruit and nuts, peel of citrus fruit or melons, including fresh, frozen, dried or provisionally preserved fruit. This chapter does not include: prepared jams, fruit jellies (Chapter 20); roasted nuts (Chapter 20); essential oils of fruit (Chapter 33); fruit for medicinal use (Chapter 30). The core is primary form fruit products, whether or not cut, crushed, peeled, as long as they retain the essential characteristics of fruit.
Heading
Heading 0812 covers fruit and nuts provisionally preserved (for example, by sulphur dioxide gas, in brine, in sulphur water or in other preservative solutions), but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption. These products require further processing (such as canning, making into jam) before consumption. The key characteristic is 'provisional preservation' for transport or storage, rather than final consumption form.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 08: Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons. Digits 3-4 12: Fruit and nuts provisionally preserved. Digits 5-6 10: Subheading 0812.10, specifically cherries. Code 081210 means: Chapter 08 + heading 0812 + subheading 10, fully indicating provisionally preserved cherries.
Classification Basis
The goods are cherries, and have been provisionally preserved (such as with sulphur dioxide, brine, etc.), not suitable for immediate consumption, requiring further processing. Therefore classified under 0812 rather than 0802 (fresh or dried cherries) or 2008 (fruit preparations). If the cherries have been made into cans or jam, then classified under Chapter 20.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared goods, should state 'provisionally preserved cherries' and the Latin scientific name (such as Prunus avium). Preservation Method: Detailed description of the provisional preservation method, such as sulphur dioxide gas, brine, sulphur water or other preservative solutions. State: Describe the physical state of the cherries, such as whole, pitted, crushed, peeled, etc., and whether they are suitable for immediate consumption. Packaging Specifications: State the packaging type (such as barrel, can) and net weight, for example 'wooden barrel, net weight 200kg'. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'None'. Production Date: Indicate the production or harvest date, in the format YYYY-MM-DD. Shelf Life: Indicate the shelf life under preservation conditions, such as '12 months'. Product Name: Provisionally preserved cherries (Prunus avium); Preservation Method: Sulphur dioxide gas; State: Whole, stem removed, not pitted, unsuitable for immediate consumption; Packaging Specifications: Polyethylene barrel, net weight 250kg/barrel; Brand: None; Production Date: 2025-03-15; Shelf Life: 6 months. Misunderstanding 'provisional preservation' as 'refrigeration', failing to declare chemical preservatives. Incorrectly classifying pitted cherries as fresh or dried fruit, ignoring the preservation treatment. Not providing shelf life, customs may question whether it is provisionally preserved. Incomplete packaging specifications, such as only writing 'barrel' without net weight.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared goods, should state 'provisionally preserved cherries' and the Latin scientific name (such as Prunus avium).
⚠️ Only writing 'cherries' without stating 'provisionally preserved', leading to classification errors.
Preservation Method
Detailed description of the provisional preservation method, such as sulphur dioxide gas, brine, sulphur water or other preservative solutions.
⚠️ Vaguely writing 'fresh-keeping' or 'anti-corrosion', without specifying the specific chemical substance.
State
Describe the physical state of the cherries, such as whole, pitted, crushed, peeled, etc., and whether they are suitable for immediate consumption.
⚠️ Not stating whether pitted or crushed, affecting subheading determination.
Packaging Specifications
State the packaging type (such as barrel, can) and net weight, for example 'wooden barrel, net weight 200kg'.
⚠️ Omitting net weight or packaging unit, leading to customs questioning.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'None'.
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer, or failing to declare the brand.
Production Date
Indicate the production or harvest date, in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
⚠️ Incorrect date format or missing, affecting shelf life verification.
Shelf Life
Indicate the shelf life under preservation conditions, such as '12 months'.
⚠️ Not providing shelf life, making it impossible to determine if provisionally preserved.
Example： Product Name: Provisionally preserved cherries (Prunus avium); Preservation Method: Sulphur dioxide gas; State: Whole, stem removed, not pitted, unsuitable for immediate consumption; Packaging Specifications: Polyethylene barrel, net weight 250kg/barrel; Brand: None; Production Date: 2025-03-15; Shelf Life: 6 months.
Common Mistakes：
Misunderstanding 'provisional preservation' as 'refrigeration', failing to declare chemical preservatives.
Incorrectly classifying pitted cherries as fresh or dried fruit, ignoring the preservation treatment.
Not providing shelf life, customs may question whether it is provisionally preserved.
Incomplete packaging specifications, such as only writing 'barrel' without net weight.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification basis: 1) The goods are cherries; 2) They have been provisionally preserved (such as with sulphur dioxide, brine, etc.); 3) They are unsuitable for immediate consumption and require further processing. According to Chapter 08 notes and subheading notes of the Import and Export Tariff, provisionally preserved fruit is classified under 0812. If the cherries have been made into cans or jam, then classified under Chapter 20. 0802.11 Fresh cherries: Fresh cherries have not been preserved, suitable for immediate consumption; 081210 has been chemically preserved, unsuitable for immediate consumption. 0811.10 Frozen cherries: Frozen cherries are preserved by low temperature, without chemical preservatives; 081210 uses chemical preservatives for provisional preservation. 2008.60 Canned cherries: Canned cherries are prepared by cooking, adding sugar, etc., ready for immediate consumption; 081210 is only provisionally preserved, requiring further processing. 2007.99 Cherry jam: Jam is made by cooking, ready for immediate consumption; 081210 is a semi-finished product provisionally preserved. Are chemical preservatives used? Is it unsuitable for immediate consumption? Does it require further processing? Has it not been cooked or had sugar added? Does the packaging indicate the preservation method?
Basis
Core classification basis: 1) The goods are cherries; 2) They have been provisionally preserved (such as with sulphur dioxide, brine, etc.); 3) They are unsuitable for immediate consumption and require further processing. According to Chapter 08 notes and subheading notes of the Import and Export Tariff, provisionally preserved fruit is classified under 0812. If the cherries have been made into cans or jam, then classified under Chapter 20.
Confused Codes：
0802.11 - Fresh cherries
Fresh cherries have not been preserved, suitable for immediate consumption; 081210 has been chemically preserved, unsuitable for immediate consumption.
0811.10 - Frozen cherries
Frozen cherries are preserved by low temperature, without chemical preservatives; 081210 uses chemical preservatives for provisional preservation.
2008.60 - Canned cherries
Canned cherries are prepared by cooking, adding sugar, etc., ready for immediate consumption; 081210 is only provisionally preserved, requiring further processing.
2007.99 - Cherry jam
Jam is made by cooking, ready for immediate consumption; 081210 is a semi-finished product provisionally preserved.
Self-Check：
✓ Are chemical preservatives used?
✓ Is it unsuitable for immediate consumption?
✓ Does it require further processing?
✓ Has it not been cooked or had sugar added?
✓ Does the packaging indicate the preservation method?
❓ FAQ
How to determine if cherries belong to 'provisional preservation'? Provisional preservation refers to treatment with preservative solutions such as sulphur dioxide gas, brine, sulphur water, etc., to prevent deterioration during transport or storage, but the product is still unsuitable for immediate consumption and requires further processing. If only refrigerated or frozen, it is not provisional preservation. What is the difference in HS codes between provisionally preserved cherries and frozen cherries? Provisionally preserved cherries are classified under 0812.10, using chemical preservatives; frozen cherries are classified under 0811.10, preserved by low temperature. The preservation principles are different, so the classification is different. If cherries are pitted and then provisionally preserved, will the code change? No. Pitting does not affect classification; as long as they are still provisionally preserved cherries, they are classified under 0812.10. However, if pitted and then cooked or had sugar added, they may be classified under Chapter 20. How to fill in 'Preservation Method' during declaration? The specific chemical preservative name should be filled in, such as 'sulphur dioxide gas', 'brine (20% concentration)', 'sulphur water', etc. It cannot be vaguely written as 'anti-corrosion' or 'fresh-keeping'. What regulatory conditions are required for importing provisionally preserved cherries? They must comply with the inspection and quarantine requirements of the General Administration of Customs for fruit, and may require a phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, etc. Specific regulatory conditions can be found in the 'Customs Import and Export Tariff' and announcements of the General Administration of Customs. If cherries have been made into cans, can they still be classified under 0812.10? No. After being made into cans, the cherries have been cooked, had sugar added, etc., and are ready for immediate consumption, so they should be classified under 2008.60. 0812.10 only applies to provisionally preserved products requiring further processing. How to inquire about the tariff rate for 081210? You can log in to the official website of the General Administration of Customs or use the 'China Customs Import and Export Tariff' to inquire. Enter HS code 081210 to view the MFN rate, general rate, VAT rate, etc. Tariff rates may be adjusted, subject to the latest announcement. Can provisionally preserved cherries be sold directly to consumers? No. Provisionally preserved cherries are unsuitable for immediate consumption and require further processing (such as canning, making into jam) before sale. If sold directly, it may violate food safety regulations.
Q: How to determine if cherries belong to 'provisional preservation'?
A: Provisional preservation refers to treatment with preservative solutions such as sulphur dioxide gas, brine, sulphur water, etc., to prevent deterioration during transport or storage, but the product is still unsuitable for immediate consumption and requires further processing. If only refrigerated or frozen, it is not provisional preservation.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between provisionally preserved cherries and frozen cherries?
A: Provisionally preserved cherries are classified under 0812.10, using chemical preservatives; frozen cherries are classified under 0811.10, preserved by low temperature. The preservation principles are different, so the classification is different.
Q: If cherries are pitted and then provisionally preserved, will the code change?
A: No. Pitting does not affect classification; as long as they are still provisionally preserved cherries, they are classified under 0812.10. However, if pitted and then cooked or had sugar added, they may be classified under Chapter 20.
Q: How to fill in 'Preservation Method' during declaration?
A: The specific chemical preservative name should be filled in, such as 'sulphur dioxide gas', 'brine (20% concentration)', 'sulphur water', etc. It cannot be vaguely written as 'anti-corrosion' or 'fresh-keeping'.
Q: What regulatory conditions are required for importing provisionally preserved cherries?
A: They must comply with the inspection and quarantine requirements of the General Administration of Customs for fruit, and may require a phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, etc. Specific regulatory conditions can be found in the 'Customs Import and Export Tariff' and announcements of the General Administration of Customs.
Q: If cherries have been made into cans, can they still be classified under 0812.10?
A: No. After being made into cans, the cherries have been cooked, had sugar added, etc., and are ready for immediate consumption, so they should be classified under 2008.60. 0812.10 only applies to provisionally preserved products requiring further processing.
Q: How to inquire about the tariff rate for 081210?
A: You can log in to the official website of the General Administration of Customs or use the 'China Customs Import and Export Tariff' to inquire. Enter HS code 081210 to view the MFN rate, general rate, VAT rate, etc. Tariff rates may be adjusted, subject to the latest announcement.
Q: Can provisionally preserved cherries be sold directly to consumers?
A: No. Provisionally preserved cherries are unsuitable for immediate consumption and require further processing (such as canning, making into jam) before sale. If sold directly, it may violate food safety regulations.
⚠️ 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.