Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices, including coffee beans/ground coffee, various types of tea, maté, pepper, chili peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc. These commodities are mostly tropical or subtropical agricultural products, either preliminarily processed or unprocessed, used for food seasoning, beverage preparation, or the spice industry. This chapter subdivides tariff headings by variety and processing state (unmilled/milled), and is an important chapter for the classification of agricultural products and foodstuffs. Heading 0905 specifically refers to vanilla, including unmilled vanilla beans and milled vanilla powder. Vanilla is the fruit of the orchid plant Vanilla planifolia, which after fermentation and drying has a distinctive aroma and is widely used in food, beverages, cosmetics, and tobacco. This heading is divided into two subheadings by processing state: 0905.10 (unmilled) and 0905.20 (milled), distinguished by whether the product has been ground into powder. First 2 digits 09: Represents Chapter 9 "Coffee, tea, maté and spices," covering all related plant products. Digits 3-4, 05: Represents heading 0905 "Vanilla," specifically targeting the fruit of plants of the genus Vanilla. Digits 5-6, 10: Represents subheading 0905.10 "Vanilla, not crushed or ground," i.e., vanilla beans that have not been ground, including whole pods, cut sections, or broken pieces but not in powder form. If ground into powder, it is classified under 0905.20. Therefore, 090510 fully represents unmilled vanilla beans. This commodity is unmilled vanilla beans, belonging to the primary form of vanilla, not having undergone grinding or milling, and is therefore classified under 0905.10. If ground into powder, it would be classified under 0905.20. It differs from 0904 (pepper, chili peppers) in that the varieties are different; it differs from 0910 (other spices) in that vanilla has its own dedicated heading.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices, including coffee beans/ground coffee, various types of tea, maté, pepper, chili peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc. These commodities are mostly tropical or subtropical agricultural products, either preliminarily processed or unprocessed, used for food seasoning, beverage preparation, or the spice industry. This chapter subdivides tariff headings by variety and processing state (unmilled/milled), and is an important chapter for the classification of agricultural products and foodstuffs.
Heading
Heading 0905 specifically refers to vanilla, including unmilled vanilla beans and milled vanilla powder. Vanilla is the fruit of the orchid plant Vanilla planifolia, which after fermentation and drying has a distinctive aroma and is widely used in food, beverages, cosmetics, and tobacco. This heading is divided into two subheadings by processing state: 0905.10 (unmilled) and 0905.20 (milled), distinguished by whether the product has been ground into powder.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 09: Represents Chapter 9 "Coffee, tea, maté and spices," covering all related plant products. Digits 3-4, 05: Represents heading 0905 "Vanilla," specifically targeting the fruit of plants of the genus Vanilla. Digits 5-6, 10: Represents subheading 0905.10 "Vanilla, not crushed or ground," i.e., vanilla beans that have not been ground, including whole pods, cut sections, or broken pieces but not in powder form. If ground into powder, it is classified under 0905.20. Therefore, 090510 fully represents unmilled vanilla beans.
Classification Basis
This commodity is unmilled vanilla beans, belonging to the primary form of vanilla, not having undergone grinding or milling, and is therefore classified under 0905.10. If ground into powder, it would be classified under 0905.20. It differs from 0904 (pepper, chili peppers) in that the varieties are different; it differs from 0910 (other spices) in that vanilla has its own dedicated heading.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "unmilled vanilla beans" or "vanilla beans (unmilled)." Processing State: Clearly indicate whether the product has been ground, such as "unmilled," "whole pods," "cut sections," etc. Variety: The variety of vanilla, such as "Vanilla planifolia," etc. Origin: The country or region where the vanilla beans were cultivated, such as Madagascar, Indonesia, etc. Packaging Specifications: The packaging method and weight per unit, such as "vacuum-sealed bag, 1 kg per bag." Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in "None." Use: The primary use, such as "food seasoning," "flavor extraction," etc. Customs declaration example:
Product Name: Unmilled vanilla beans
Processing State: Unmilled, whole pods
Variety: Vanilla planifolia
Origin: Madagascar
Packaging Specifications: Vacuum-sealed bags, 1 kg per bag, 10 bags total
Brand: None
Use: Food seasoning
HS Code: 0905.10.00 Misclassifying unmilled vanilla beans as milled vanilla (0905.20), resulting in an incorrect code. Neglecting to declare the processing state, writing only "vanilla," which may trigger customs scrutiny. Confusing vanilla with ordinary vanilla flavoring (such as vanilla extract), incorrectly classifying under other headings.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "unmilled vanilla beans" or "vanilla beans (unmilled)."
⚠️ Incorrectly written as "vanilla" or "vanilla beans" without indicating the unmilled state.
Processing State
Clearly indicate whether the product has been ground, such as "unmilled," "whole pods," "cut sections," etc.
⚠️ Omitting the processing state, leading to classification disputes.
Variety
The variety of vanilla, such as "Vanilla planifolia," etc.
⚠️ Writing only "vanilla" without providing the specific variety.
Origin
The country or region where the vanilla beans were cultivated, such as Madagascar, Indonesia, etc.
⚠️ Confusing origin with place of dispatch.
Packaging Specifications
The packaging method and weight per unit, such as "vacuum-sealed bag, 1 kg per bag."
⚠️ Failing to indicate the packaging unit, affecting measurement.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in "None."
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer.
Use
The primary use, such as "food seasoning," "flavor extraction," etc.
Misclassifying unmilled vanilla beans as milled vanilla (0905.20), resulting in an incorrect code.
Neglecting to declare the processing state, writing only "vanilla," which may trigger customs scrutiny.
Confusing vanilla with ordinary vanilla flavoring (such as vanilla extract), incorrectly classifying under other headings.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the Chapter 9 notes and subheading provisions of the Import and Export Tariff. Vanilla must be the fruit of plants of the genus Vanilla in the orchid family, and must not have been ground. If ground into powder, it is classified under 0905.20. If mixed with other spices, it may be classified under 0910. Consideration must also be given to whether it has undergone further processing (such as extraction of essential oils); if essential oils are extracted, it is classified under Chapter 33. 090520 Vanilla, crushed or ground: 090520 is vanilla ground into powder, while 090510 is unmilled vanilla beans; the difference lies in the physical state. 0904 Pepper, chili peppers: 0904 covers products of the genus Piper or Capsicum, which are different varieties from vanilla, and the heading is independent. 0910 Other spices: 0910 covers spices not elsewhere specified, such as ginger, turmeric, etc.; vanilla already has its own dedicated heading. 3301 Essential oils and resinoids: 3301 covers extracted vanilla essential oil or resinoid, which are deeply processed products, whereas 090510 is raw plant material. 1302 Vegetable saps and extracts: 1302 covers vanilla extracts, such as vanilla tincture, which have changed the original form, whereas 090510 is unmilled pods. Is it the fruit of a plant of the genus Vanilla? Has it not been ground? Is it used for seasoning or food? Has no essential oil been extracted or extract been made? Has it not been mixed with other spices?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the Chapter 9 notes and subheading provisions of the Import and Export Tariff. Vanilla must be the fruit of plants of the genus Vanilla in the orchid family, and must not have been ground. If ground into powder, it is classified under 0905.20. If mixed with other spices, it may be classified under 0910. Consideration must also be given to whether it has undergone further processing (such as extraction of essential oils); if essential oils are extracted, it is classified under Chapter 33.
Confused Codes：
090520 - Vanilla, crushed or ground
090520 is vanilla ground into powder, while 090510 is unmilled vanilla beans; the difference lies in the physical state.
0904 - Pepper, chili peppers
0904 covers products of the genus Piper or Capsicum, which are different varieties from vanilla, and the heading is independent.
0910 - Other spices
0910 covers spices not elsewhere specified, such as ginger, turmeric, etc.; vanilla already has its own dedicated heading.
3301 - Essential oils and resinoids
3301 covers extracted vanilla essential oil or resinoid, which are deeply processed products, whereas 090510 is raw plant material.
1302 - Vegetable saps and extracts
1302 covers vanilla extracts, such as vanilla tincture, which have changed the original form, whereas 090510 is unmilled pods.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it the fruit of a plant of the genus Vanilla?
✓ Has it not been ground?
✓ Is it used for seasoning or food?
✓ Has no essential oil been extracted or extract been made?
✓ Has it not been mixed with other spices?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference between HS codes 090510 and 090520? 090510 is unmilled vanilla beans, maintaining their original form; 090520 is milled vanilla powder. The two differ in processing state, and classification depends on whether the product has been ground. How do you determine whether vanilla beans are in an unmilled state? Unmilled state means the vanilla beans have not been ground into powder; they may be whole pods, cut sections, or broken pieces, but have not reached powder form. If ground into powder, they are considered milled. What declaration elements must be included for vanilla beans? Product name, processing state, variety, origin, packaging specifications, brand, and use must be included. Processing state and variety are key to classification. If vanilla beans have undergone essential oil extraction, which code should they be classified under? After essential oil extraction, they belong to Chapter 33 for essential oils and resinoids, with a specific code such as 3301.29, rather than 090510. How are vanilla beans classified when mixed with other spices? If mixed and used as a seasoning spice, they may be classified under 0910; if vanilla remains the predominant component after mixing, classification should be determined based on specific composition and processing. What regulatory documents are required for importing vanilla beans? Typically, a phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, etc. are required, depending on customs regulations and trade agreements. It is recommended to consult the latest Customs Import and Export Tariff and regulatory conditions. How do you check the tariff rate for 090510? You can check through the General Administration of Customs website, the International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff inquiry platforms by entering HS code 090510 to obtain the latest tariff rate. Rates are subject to change; the official rate shall prevail. How should cross-border e-commerce sales of vanilla beans be declared? Cross-border e-commerce must declare according to the actual commodity, provide complete declaration elements, and comply with cross-border e-commerce retail import policies. It is recommended to consult a customs broker or customs authorities.
Q: What is the difference between HS codes 090510 and 090520?
A: 090510 is unmilled vanilla beans, maintaining their original form; 090520 is milled vanilla powder. The two differ in processing state, and classification depends on whether the product has been ground.
Q: How do you determine whether vanilla beans are in an unmilled state?
A: Unmilled state means the vanilla beans have not been ground into powder; they may be whole pods, cut sections, or broken pieces, but have not reached powder form. If ground into powder, they are considered milled.
Q: What declaration elements must be included for vanilla beans?
A: Product name, processing state, variety, origin, packaging specifications, brand, and use must be included. Processing state and variety are key to classification.
Q: If vanilla beans have undergone essential oil extraction, which code should they be classified under?
A: After essential oil extraction, they belong to Chapter 33 for essential oils and resinoids, with a specific code such as 3301.29, rather than 090510.
Q: How are vanilla beans classified when mixed with other spices?
A: If mixed and used as a seasoning spice, they may be classified under 0910; if vanilla remains the predominant component after mixing, classification should be determined based on specific composition and processing.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for importing vanilla beans?
A: Typically, a phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, etc. are required, depending on customs regulations and trade agreements. It is recommended to consult the latest Customs Import and Export Tariff and regulatory conditions.
Q: How do you check the tariff rate for 090510?
A: You can check through the General Administration of Customs website, the International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff inquiry platforms by entering HS code 090510 to obtain the latest tariff rate. Rates are subject to change; the official rate shall prevail.
Q: How should cross-border e-commerce sales of vanilla beans be declared?
A: Cross-border e-commerce must declare according to the actual commodity, provide complete declaration elements, and comply with cross-border e-commerce retail import policies. It is recommended to consult a customs broker or customs authorities.
⚠️ 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.