Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté, and spices, including coffee beans, tea leaves, pepper, chili, cloves, nutmeg, etc. These goods are mostly tropical or subtropical agricultural products, usually subjected to primary processing (such as drying, roasting, grinding), and are used for food seasoning or beverage preparation. Goods in this chapter have high volume and value in international trade and involve strict plant quarantine and quality grading. Heading 0907 specifically refers to cloves (whole cloves, clove stems, and clove powder), including both unground and ground states. Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree of the Myrtaceae family, with a strong aroma, widely used in food, pharmaceutical, and tobacco industries. Under this heading, they are further subdivided by processing state (unground/ground) and use (such as clove stems). Code 090710 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits '09' represent Chapter 9 (coffee, tea, spices); the 3rd-4th digits '07' represent heading 0907 (cloves); the 5th-6th digits '10' represent subheading 090710, specifically unground cloves. Unground cloves refer to whole clove flower buds that have not been crushed or ground, retaining their original form, facilitating subsequent processing or direct use. If ground, they are classified under 090720. Unground cloves are classified under 090710 because they retain the whole flower bud form and have not undergone grinding. If ground into powder, they are classified under 090720. They differ from 0908 (nutmeg, cardamom) in plant species and use; they differ from 0910 (ginger, curry, etc.) in that cloves are a single spice and are in whole form.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté, and spices, including coffee beans, tea leaves, pepper, chili, cloves, nutmeg, etc. These goods are mostly tropical or subtropical agricultural products, usually subjected to primary processing (such as drying, roasting, grinding), and are used for food seasoning or beverage preparation. Goods in this chapter have high volume and value in international trade and involve strict plant quarantine and quality grading.
Heading
Heading 0907 specifically refers to cloves (whole cloves, clove stems, and clove powder), including both unground and ground states. Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree of the Myrtaceae family, with a strong aroma, widely used in food, pharmaceutical, and tobacco industries. Under this heading, they are further subdivided by processing state (unground/ground) and use (such as clove stems).
Digit Breakdown
Code 090710 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits '09' represent Chapter 9 (coffee, tea, spices); the 3rd-4th digits '07' represent heading 0907 (cloves); the 5th-6th digits '10' represent subheading 090710, specifically unground cloves. Unground cloves refer to whole clove flower buds that have not been crushed or ground, retaining their original form, facilitating subsequent processing or direct use. If ground, they are classified under 090720.
Classification Basis
Unground cloves are classified under 090710 because they retain the whole flower bud form and have not undergone grinding. If ground into powder, they are classified under 090720. They differ from 0908 (nutmeg, cardamom) in plant species and use; they differ from 0910 (ginger, curry, etc.) in that cloves are a single spice and are in whole form.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared goods, such as 'cloves' or 'unground cloves', avoiding colloquial or vague descriptions. Processing State: Clearly indicate whether ground, such as 'unground', 'whole flower buds', to distinguish between 090710 and 090720. Use: Specify the specific use, such as 'food seasoning', 'medicinal', 'tobacco flavoring', to facilitate customs determination of regulatory conditions. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'no brand' to avoid infringement risks. Origin: Declare the country or region of origin, such as 'Madagascar', 'Indonesia', affecting tariffs and trade agreements. Packaging Specifications: Indicate the packaging method and specifications, such as '25 kg/bag', 'carton packaging', to facilitate customs inspection and statistics. Ingredient Content: Declare the content of main components of cloves (such as eugenol) for quality determination and classification reference. Product Name: Unground Cloves; Processing State: Unground, whole flower buds; Use: Food seasoning; Brand: No brand; Origin: Madagascar; Packaging Specifications: 25 kg/bag; Ingredient Content: Eugenol ≥85%. Confusing unground cloves with ground cloves, incorrectly classifying under 090720. Ignoring the declaration of processing state, leading to customs questioning the classification. Inaccurate origin declaration, affecting the application of preferential tariff rates under free trade agreements.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared goods, such as 'cloves' or 'unground cloves', avoiding colloquial or vague descriptions.
⚠️ Only writing 'spice' or 'clove powder' without indicating the unground state.
Processing State
Clearly indicate whether ground, such as 'unground', 'whole flower buds', to distinguish between 090710 and 090720.
⚠️ Misreporting unground cloves as 'ground' or omitting the processing state.
Use
Specify the specific use, such as 'food seasoning', 'medicinal', 'tobacco flavoring', to facilitate customs determination of regulatory conditions.
⚠️ Vaguely filling in 'industrial use' without specifying the industry.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'no brand' to avoid infringement risks.
⚠️ Ignoring brand declaration, leading to intellectual property disputes.
Origin
Declare the country or region of origin, such as 'Madagascar', 'Indonesia', affecting tariffs and trade agreements.
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in the exporting country instead of the origin country, or using vague region names.
Packaging Specifications
Indicate the packaging method and specifications, such as '25 kg/bag', 'carton packaging', to facilitate customs inspection and statistics.
⚠️ Only writing 'bulk' without providing specific weight or number of pieces.
Ingredient Content
Declare the content of main components of cloves (such as eugenol) for quality determination and classification reference.
⚠️ Not providing ingredient data, or filling in inaccurate information.
Confusing unground cloves with ground cloves, incorrectly classifying under 090720.
Ignoring the declaration of processing state, leading to customs questioning the classification.
Inaccurate origin declaration, affecting the application of preferential tariff rates under free trade agreements.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the 'Import and Export Tariff' and 'HS Explanatory Notes'. Unground cloves refer to whole or uncrushed clove flower buds, retaining the original plant form. If ground, they are classified under 090720. It is also necessary to confirm the species as clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and exclude other similar spices. 090720 Ground cloves: Ground cloves have been crushed or ground, appearing as powder; unground cloves are whole flower buds, with different forms. 090811 Unground nutmeg: Nutmeg is the seed of plants in the Myristicaceae family, with different form, aroma, and heading from cloves. 090611 Unground Ceylon cinnamon: Cinnamon is the bark of plants in the Lauraceae family, appearing as rolls, significantly different in form from clove flower buds. 091011 Unground ginger: Ginger is the rhizome of plants in the Zingiberaceae family, with a pungent taste, different from cloves in aroma and use. Is it a whole clove flower bud? Is it unground or uncrushed? Does it belong to the clove species? Is it used for food, medicine, or tobacco? Is it distinguished from ground cloves?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the 'Import and Export Tariff' and 'HS Explanatory Notes'. Unground cloves refer to whole or uncrushed clove flower buds, retaining the original plant form. If ground, they are classified under 090720. It is also necessary to confirm the species as clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and exclude other similar spices.
Confused Codes：
090720 - Ground cloves
Ground cloves have been crushed or ground, appearing as powder; unground cloves are whole flower buds, with different forms.
090811 - Unground nutmeg
Nutmeg is the seed of plants in the Myristicaceae family, with different form, aroma, and heading from cloves.
090611 - Unground Ceylon cinnamon
Cinnamon is the bark of plants in the Lauraceae family, appearing as rolls, significantly different in form from clove flower buds.
091011 - Unground ginger
Ginger is the rhizome of plants in the Zingiberaceae family, with a pungent taste, different from cloves in aroma and use.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it a whole clove flower bud?
✓ Is it unground or uncrushed?
✓ Does it belong to the clove species?
✓ Is it used for food, medicine, or tobacco?
✓ Is it distinguished from ground cloves?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between unground cloves and ground cloves? Unground cloves are classified under 090710, and ground cloves under 090720. The difference lies in the processing state: unground retains whole flower buds, while ground has been crushed or ground. When declaring, the processing state must be accurately reported, otherwise it may lead to classification errors and customs delays. How to check the import tariff rate for unground cloves? It can be checked through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or the 'Import and Export Tariff'. Tariff rates vary by origin country and trade agreements, for example, free trade agreements with ASEAN, Chile, etc., may apply preferential rates. It is recommended to use official tariff query tools, input HS code 090710 and origin country to obtain the latest rates. What regulatory documents are required for importing unground cloves? Usually, a phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, invoice, packing list, contract, etc., are required. Some countries may require fumigation certificates. Specific regulatory conditions need to be confirmed according to the 'Regulatory Conditions for Imported Goods' issued by the General Administration of Customs. It is recommended to consult a customs broker or customs in advance. Can unground cloves enjoy preferential tariff rates under free trade agreements? Yes, but they must meet the agreement's rules of origin and provide a valid certificate of origin. For example, when importing from ASEAN, a FORM E certificate can be used to apply for preferential rates. Be sure to confirm that the origin country is within the agreement scope and that the goods meet requirements such as direct transport. How to fill in the ingredient content when declaring unground cloves? The percentage content of main active ingredients such as eugenol should be filled in, usually based on a test report. If precise data cannot be provided, a typical range can be filled in, but it must be true. Ingredient content helps customs determine quality and classification. Are unground cloves and clove stems the same in HS code? No. Clove stems (peduncles), if unground, are usually also classified under 090710, but 'clove stems' must be noted when declaring. If ground, they are classified under 090720. The use and price of the two may differ, and they should be accurately described when declaring. How to declare unground cloves for cross-border e-commerce retail? Cross-border e-commerce retail imports need to be declared through cross-border e-commerce platforms, providing order, payment, and logistics information. The HS code is still 090710, but attention must be paid to personal use quotas and tax policies. It is recommended to use cross-border e-commerce comprehensive service platforms to ensure compliance. What are the special requirements for exporting unground cloves? Exports must comply with the phytosanitary requirements of the destination country, and may require fumigation certificates, certificates of origin, etc. Some countries require cloves to meet pesticide residue standards. It is recommended to confirm requirements with the buyer in advance and consult the local customs.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between unground cloves and ground cloves?
A: Unground cloves are classified under 090710, and ground cloves under 090720. The difference lies in the processing state: unground retains whole flower buds, while ground has been crushed or ground. When declaring, the processing state must be accurately reported, otherwise it may lead to classification errors and customs delays.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for unground cloves?
A: It can be checked through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or the 'Import and Export Tariff'. Tariff rates vary by origin country and trade agreements, for example, free trade agreements with ASEAN, Chile, etc., may apply preferential rates. It is recommended to use official tariff query tools, input HS code 090710 and origin country to obtain the latest rates.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for importing unground cloves?
A: Usually, a phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, invoice, packing list, contract, etc., are required. Some countries may require fumigation certificates. Specific regulatory conditions need to be confirmed according to the 'Regulatory Conditions for Imported Goods' issued by the General Administration of Customs. It is recommended to consult a customs broker or customs in advance.
Q: Can unground cloves enjoy preferential tariff rates under free trade agreements?
A: Yes, but they must meet the agreement's rules of origin and provide a valid certificate of origin. For example, when importing from ASEAN, a FORM E certificate can be used to apply for preferential rates. Be sure to confirm that the origin country is within the agreement scope and that the goods meet requirements such as direct transport.
Q: How to fill in the ingredient content when declaring unground cloves?
A: The percentage content of main active ingredients such as eugenol should be filled in, usually based on a test report. If precise data cannot be provided, a typical range can be filled in, but it must be true. Ingredient content helps customs determine quality and classification.
Q: Are unground cloves and clove stems the same in HS code?
A: No. Clove stems (peduncles), if unground, are usually also classified under 090710, but 'clove stems' must be noted when declaring. If ground, they are classified under 090720. The use and price of the two may differ, and they should be accurately described when declaring.
Q: How to declare unground cloves for cross-border e-commerce retail?
A: Cross-border e-commerce retail imports need to be declared through cross-border e-commerce platforms, providing order, payment, and logistics information. The HS code is still 090710, but attention must be paid to personal use quotas and tax policies. It is recommended to use cross-border e-commerce comprehensive service platforms to ensure compliance.
Q: What are the special requirements for exporting unground cloves?
A: Exports must comply with the phytosanitary requirements of the destination country, and may require fumigation certificates, certificates of origin, etc. Some countries require cloves to meet pesticide residue standards. It is recommended to confirm requirements with the buyer in advance and consult the local customs.
⚠️ 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.