Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices. It includes coffee beans, ground coffee, coffee substitutes; various types of tea (green tea, black tea, oolong tea, etc.); maté; and spices such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc. Goods in this chapter are mainly for food use or as spices, and may be unprocessed or primarily processed, but do not include prepared mixed seasonings (classified in Chapter 21) or essential oils (Chapter 33). Heading 0906 covers cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers. It includes unground cinnamon (such as cinnamon bark, cinnamon sticks) and ground cinnamon powder, as well as cinnamon flowers. Cinnamon is the bark of the cinnamon tree of the Lauraceae family, made after drying, and is widely used as a spice and medicinal material. This heading does not include cinnamon leaves, cinnamon oil (classified in Chapter 33) or cinnamon tea (classified in Chapter 21). The first 2 digits 09: indicates Chapter 9, i.e. coffee, tea, maté and spices. The 3rd-4th digits 06: indicates heading 0906, i.e. cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers. The 5th-6th digits 11: indicates subheading 0906.11, i.e. unground cinnamon. Among them, the 5th digit '1' indicates unground, and the 6th digit '1' is a specific subdivision. Therefore, 090611 refers to unground cinnamon, usually in the form of cinnamon bark, cinnamon sticks, etc. that have not been crushed. This product is unground cinnamon, i.e. cinnamon bark or cinnamon sticks in their natural form, not crushed or ground. According to HS classification rules, unground cinnamon should be classified under subheading 0906.11, while ground cinnamon powder is classified under 0906.20. If cinnamon has undergone further processing (such as being made into cinnamon tea or mixed seasonings), it may be classified in Chapter 21. Therefore, the unground state is the key to classification under this code.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices. It includes coffee beans, ground coffee, coffee substitutes; various types of tea (green tea, black tea, oolong tea, etc.); maté; and spices such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc. Goods in this chapter are mainly for food use or as spices, and may be unprocessed or primarily processed, but do not include prepared mixed seasonings (classified in Chapter 21) or essential oils (Chapter 33).
Heading
Heading 0906 covers cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers. It includes unground cinnamon (such as cinnamon bark, cinnamon sticks) and ground cinnamon powder, as well as cinnamon flowers. Cinnamon is the bark of the cinnamon tree of the Lauraceae family, made after drying, and is widely used as a spice and medicinal material. This heading does not include cinnamon leaves, cinnamon oil (classified in Chapter 33) or cinnamon tea (classified in Chapter 21).
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 09: indicates Chapter 9, i.e. coffee, tea, maté and spices. The 3rd-4th digits 06: indicates heading 0906, i.e. cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers. The 5th-6th digits 11: indicates subheading 0906.11, i.e. unground cinnamon. Among them, the 5th digit '1' indicates unground, and the 6th digit '1' is a specific subdivision. Therefore, 090611 refers to unground cinnamon, usually in the form of cinnamon bark, cinnamon sticks, etc. that have not been crushed.
Classification Basis
This product is unground cinnamon, i.e. cinnamon bark or cinnamon sticks in their natural form, not crushed or ground. According to HS classification rules, unground cinnamon should be classified under subheading 0906.11, while ground cinnamon powder is classified under 0906.20. If cinnamon has undergone further processing (such as being made into cinnamon tea or mixed seasonings), it may be classified in Chapter 21. Therefore, the unground state is the key to classification under this code.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared goods, such as 'unground cinnamon', 'cinnamon bark' or 'cinnamon sticks', which should accurately reflect the state of the goods. Processing state: Indicate whether it has undergone grinding, crushing or other processing, such as 'unground', 'whole sheets', 'broken but unground', etc. Variety: The botanical variety or trade name of the cinnamon, such as 'Ceylon cinnamon', 'Chinese cinnamon', etc., which helps confirm classification. Appearance form: Describe the appearance of the goods, such as 'quill shape', 'block shape', 'strip shape', etc., to prove the unground state. Packaging specifications: Explain the packaging method and specifications, such as '25 kg/bag', 'carton packing', etc., which affect transportation and inspection. Use: Declare the main use of the goods, such as 'food spice', 'medicinal material', 'industrial raw material', etc. Brand: If there is a brand, the brand name must be declared; if there is no brand, 'none' may be filled in. Origin: The country where the goods are produced or collected, such as 'Sri Lanka', 'China', etc., which affects tariffs and trade policy. Customs declaration example:
Product name: Unground cinnamon (cinnamon bark)
Processing state: Unground, whole quill shape
Variety: Ceylon cinnamon
Appearance form: Quill shape, length about 30 cm
Packaging specifications: 25 kg/woven bag
Use: Food spice
Brand: None
Origin: Sri Lanka
HS code: 09061100 Misreporting unground cinnamon as ground cinnamon powder, leading to code errors. Ignoring the description of processing state and filling in only 'cinnamon', which is easily questioned by customs. Origin declaration is not specific, such as filling in 'Asia', affecting tariff application.
Product name
The specific name of the declared goods, such as 'unground cinnamon', 'cinnamon bark' or 'cinnamon sticks', which should accurately reflect the state of the goods.
⚠️ Misreporting as 'cinnamon powder' or 'cinnamon spice', leading to incorrect classification.
Processing state
Indicate whether it has undergone grinding, crushing or other processing, such as 'unground', 'whole sheets', 'broken but unground', etc.
⚠️ Filling in vaguely as 'primary processing' without specifying whether it is ground.
Variety
The botanical variety or trade name of the cinnamon, such as 'Ceylon cinnamon', 'Chinese cinnamon', etc., which helps confirm classification.
⚠️ Ignoring the variety and filling in only 'cinnamon', which may affect origin determination.
Appearance form
Describe the appearance of the goods, such as 'quill shape', 'block shape', 'strip shape', etc., to prove the unground state.
⚠️ Filling in 'powder form', which contradicts unground.
Packaging specifications
Explain the packaging method and specifications, such as '25 kg/bag', 'carton packing', etc., which affect transportation and inspection.
⚠️ Incomplete filling, such as only writing 'bagged', lacking weight.
Use
Declare the main use of the goods, such as 'food spice', 'medicinal material', 'industrial raw material', etc.
⚠️ Filling in 'food use' but actually used for industry, which may raise doubts.
Brand
If there is a brand, the brand name must be declared; if there is no brand, 'none' may be filled in.
⚠️ Ignoring the brand, leading to intellectual property issues.
Origin
The country where the goods are produced or collected, such as 'Sri Lanka', 'China', etc., which affects tariffs and trade policy.
⚠️ Inaccurate filling, such as 'Southeast Asia' rather than a specific country.
Misreporting unground cinnamon as ground cinnamon powder, leading to code errors.
Ignoring the description of processing state and filling in only 'cinnamon', which is easily questioned by customs.
Origin declaration is not specific, such as filling in 'Asia', affecting tariff application.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the processing state of the goods: whether it has been ground. According to HS notes, subheading 0906.11 covers unground cinnamon, i.e. cinnamon bark and cinnamon sticks in their natural form, whether or not cut or broken, as long as they are not ground into powder. If ground, it is classified under 0906.20. In addition, it is necessary to confirm whether the goods are cinnamon (Cinnamomum of the Lauraceae family), rather than other similar spices (such as cassia, but cassia is also usually classified under 0906). If cinnamon has been prepared into mixed seasonings or made into tea, it is classified in Chapter 21. 090620 Ground cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is in powder form and has undergone grinding; unground cinnamon remains in its natural form, such as quill shape or block shape. The core difference is whether it is ground. 090610 Unground cinnamon (temporary code): 090610 is an old code and has now been replaced by 090611, but some old materials still use it. Actual declaration should use 090611. 090619 Other unground cinnamon: 090619 covers unground cinnamon other than 090611 (such as cinnamon flowers), but 090611 specifically refers to unground cinnamon bark. Distinguish according to the specific form. 090811 Unground nutmeg: Nutmeg is a different spice and is classified under 0908; cinnamon is classified under 0906. The two differ in appearance and use and must not be confused. 091099 Other spices: 091099 covers spices not otherwise specified, but cinnamon already has a specific heading and should not be classified under this code. Does the goods remain unground? Is it confirmed to be cinnamon (Cinnamomum of the Lauraceae family)? Has it been mixed or further processed? Does the packaging affect classification? Is the origin accurately declared?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the processing state of the goods: whether it has been ground. According to HS notes, subheading 0906.11 covers unground cinnamon, i.e. cinnamon bark and cinnamon sticks in their natural form, whether or not cut or broken, as long as they are not ground into powder. If ground, it is classified under 0906.20. In addition, it is necessary to confirm whether the goods are cinnamon (Cinnamomum of the Lauraceae family), rather than other similar spices (such as cassia, but cassia is also usually classified under 0906). If cinnamon has been prepared into mixed seasonings or made into tea, it is classified in Chapter 21.
Confused Codes：
090620 - Ground cinnamon
Ground cinnamon is in powder form and has undergone grinding; unground cinnamon remains in its natural form, such as quill shape or block shape. The core difference is whether it is ground.
090610 - Unground cinnamon (temporary code)
090610 is an old code and has now been replaced by 090611, but some old materials still use it. Actual declaration should use 090611.
090619 - Other unground cinnamon
090619 covers unground cinnamon other than 090611 (such as cinnamon flowers), but 090611 specifically refers to unground cinnamon bark. Distinguish according to the specific form.
090811 - Unground nutmeg
Nutmeg is a different spice and is classified under 0908; cinnamon is classified under 0906. The two differ in appearance and use and must not be confused.
091099 - Other spices
091099 covers spices not otherwise specified, but cinnamon already has a specific heading and should not be classified under this code.
Self-Check：
✓ Does the goods remain unground?
✓ Is it confirmed to be cinnamon (Cinnamomum of the Lauraceae family)?
✓ Has it been mixed or further processed?
✓ Does the packaging affect classification?
✓ Is the origin accurately declared?
❓ FAQ
How to query the HS code for unground cinnamon? You can check the customs tariff, HS code query websites, or consult a customs broker. First determine that the goods are cinnamon, then choose 090611 (unground) or 090620 (ground) according to the processing state. Be sure to check the latest tariff to avoid using expired codes. What is the difference in codes between unground cinnamon and ground cinnamon? Unground cinnamon is classified under 090611, and ground cinnamon is classified under 090620. The difference lies in whether it has been ground: unground remains in its natural form, such as quill shape; ground is in powder form. When declaring, the processing state must be accurately described. Are cinnamon bark and cassia the same commodity? Are their HS codes the same? Cinnamon bark and cassia are both bark of Lauraceae plants and are usually both classified under 0906. However, the specific variety may affect origin and tariffs. If in unground state, both are classified under 090611. It is recommended to indicate the variety when declaring. What declaration elements are required for importing unground cinnamon? It is necessary to declare product name, processing state, variety, appearance form, packaging specifications, use, brand, origin, etc. Processing state and appearance form are key, and features such as 'unground' and 'quill shape' must be clearly stated. How to query the tariff rate for unground cinnamon? Tariff rates vary depending on origin, trade agreements, etc. You can check the Import and Export Tariff issued by the General Administration of Customs or learn through a customs classification advance ruling. Note that rates may change, and the latest announcement should prevail. If cinnamon has been broken but not ground, which code should it be classified under? It is still classified under 090611, because broken but not ground still belongs to the unground state. However, if broken into fine particles close to powder, it may be regarded as ground and classified under 090620. Judgment should be based on the actual form. For cross-border e-commerce sales of cinnamon products, how to choose the HS code? If selling unground cinnamon (such as cinnamon sticks), use 090611; if selling cinnamon powder, use 090620. If it is cinnamon tea or mixed seasonings, it is classified in Chapter 21. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker. Is the classification of unground cinnamon affected by packaging? Generally not, but if the packaging is small retail packaging and the use is indicated, it may affect classification. For example, small retail-packaged cinnamon sticks as a spice are still classified under 090611. However, if mixed and packaged with other spices, it may be classified in Chapter 21.
Q: How to query the HS code for unground cinnamon?
A: You can check the customs tariff, HS code query websites, or consult a customs broker. First determine that the goods are cinnamon, then choose 090611 (unground) or 090620 (ground) according to the processing state. Be sure to check the latest tariff to avoid using expired codes.
Q: What is the difference in codes between unground cinnamon and ground cinnamon?
A: Unground cinnamon is classified under 090611, and ground cinnamon is classified under 090620. The difference lies in whether it has been ground: unground remains in its natural form, such as quill shape; ground is in powder form. When declaring, the processing state must be accurately described.
Q: Are cinnamon bark and cassia the same commodity? Are their HS codes the same?
A: Cinnamon bark and cassia are both bark of Lauraceae plants and are usually both classified under 0906. However, the specific variety may affect origin and tariffs. If in unground state, both are classified under 090611. It is recommended to indicate the variety when declaring.
Q: What declaration elements are required for importing unground cinnamon?
A: It is necessary to declare product name, processing state, variety, appearance form, packaging specifications, use, brand, origin, etc. Processing state and appearance form are key, and features such as 'unground' and 'quill shape' must be clearly stated.
Q: How to query the tariff rate for unground cinnamon?
A: Tariff rates vary depending on origin, trade agreements, etc. You can check the Import and Export Tariff issued by the General Administration of Customs or learn through a customs classification advance ruling. Note that rates may change, and the latest announcement should prevail.
Q: If cinnamon has been broken but not ground, which code should it be classified under?
A: It is still classified under 090611, because broken but not ground still belongs to the unground state. However, if broken into fine particles close to powder, it may be regarded as ground and classified under 090620. Judgment should be based on the actual form.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of cinnamon products, how to choose the HS code?
A: If selling unground cinnamon (such as cinnamon sticks), use 090611; if selling cinnamon powder, use 090620. If it is cinnamon tea or mixed seasonings, it is classified in Chapter 21. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker.
Q: Is the classification of unground cinnamon affected by packaging?
A: Generally not, but if the packaging is small retail packaging and the use is indicated, it may affect classification. For example, small retail-packaged cinnamon sticks as a spice are still classified under 090611. However, if mixed and packaged with other spices, it may be classified in Chapter 21.
⚠️ 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.