Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices. It includes coffee beans, ground coffee, tea leaves, maté, pepper, chili peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, mace, cardamom, anise, coriander, cumin, caraway, juniper berries, etc. These goods are mostly plant-based spices, which may be unground, ground or otherwise processed, but attention must be paid to distinguishing them from oil seeds and fruits in Chapter 12, preparations in Chapter 20, and essential oils in Chapter 33. Heading 0908 covers nutmeg, mace, cardamom and cardamom mace. Specifically, it includes: nutmeg (unground or ground), mace (unground or ground), cardamom (unground or ground), and cardamom mace (unground or ground). The goods under this heading are all tropical spices with distinctive aromas, widely used in food seasoning, medicine and cosmetics. Subheadings are further divided according to type and whether they are ground. The first 2 digits 09: indicates Chapter 9, i.e., coffee, tea, maté and spices. The 3rd-4th digits 08: indicates heading 0908, i.e., nutmeg, mace, cardamom and cardamom mace. The 5th-6th digits 21: indicates subheading 0908.21, i.e., unground mace. Among them, the 5th digit 2 represents mace, and the 6th digit 1 represents neither crushed nor ground. Therefore, the complete meaning of 090821 is: under Chapter 9, within heading 0908, subheading 090821, i.e., unground mace. The product is unground mace, which is the aril of nutmeg and has a distinctive aroma. According to HS classification rules, mace and nutmeg both belong to heading 0908, but they are in different subheadings: unground mace is classified under 090821, and ground mace is classified under 090822. If it is nutmeg itself, it is classified under 090811 (unground) or 090812 (ground). Therefore, according to the type and processing state, the product is correctly classified under 090821.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices. It includes coffee beans, ground coffee, tea leaves, maté, pepper, chili peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, mace, cardamom, anise, coriander, cumin, caraway, juniper berries, etc. These goods are mostly plant-based spices, which may be unground, ground or otherwise processed, but attention must be paid to distinguishing them from oil seeds and fruits in Chapter 12, preparations in Chapter 20, and essential oils in Chapter 33.
Heading
Heading 0908 covers nutmeg, mace, cardamom and cardamom mace. Specifically, it includes: nutmeg (unground or ground), mace (unground or ground), cardamom (unground or ground), and cardamom mace (unground or ground). The goods under this heading are all tropical spices with distinctive aromas, widely used in food seasoning, medicine and cosmetics. Subheadings are further divided according to type and whether they are ground.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 09: indicates Chapter 9, i.e., coffee, tea, maté and spices. The 3rd-4th digits 08: indicates heading 0908, i.e., nutmeg, mace, cardamom and cardamom mace. The 5th-6th digits 21: indicates subheading 0908.21, i.e., unground mace. Among them, the 5th digit 2 represents mace, and the 6th digit 1 represents neither crushed nor ground. Therefore, the complete meaning of 090821 is: under Chapter 9, within heading 0908, subheading 090821, i.e., unground mace.
Classification Basis
The product is unground mace, which is the aril of nutmeg and has a distinctive aroma. According to HS classification rules, mace and nutmeg both belong to heading 0908, but they are in different subheadings: unground mace is classified under 090821, and ground mace is classified under 090822. If it is nutmeg itself, it is classified under 090811 (unground) or 090812 (ground). Therefore, according to the type and processing state, the product is correctly classified under 090821.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, and standardized Chinese or English trade names such as "unground mace" or "Ground mace" should be used. Type: Indicate whether it is mace or nutmeg, as the two differ in appearance and use. Processing state: Clearly state whether it has been ground, as unground and ground are classified under different subheadings. Use: Explain the specific use, such as food seasoning, medicine, cosmetics, etc., which helps customs determine classification. Brand: If there is a brand, the brand name must be declared; if there is no brand, declare "none". Packaging specifications: Declare the packaging method and specifications, such as bagged, boxed, net weight per piece, etc. Origin: The country or region where the goods are produced or processed, affecting tariffs and trade policy. Customs declaration example:
Product name: Unground mace
Type: Mace
Processing state: Unground
Use: Food seasoning
Brand: None
Packaging specifications: 25 kg/bag, 100 bags in total
Origin: Indonesia
HS code: 09082100 Misreporting mace as nutmeg, resulting in code errors. Failure to accurately distinguish unground from ground, resulting in incorrect subheading declaration. False declaration of origin, affecting tariff treatment and trade statistics.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, and standardized Chinese or English trade names such as "unground mace" or "Ground mace" should be used.
⚠️ Misreporting it as "nutmeg" or "cardamom", resulting in classification errors.
Type
Indicate whether it is mace or nutmeg, as the two differ in appearance and use.
⚠️ Confusing mace with nutmeg and incorrectly classifying under 0908.11 or 0908.12.
Processing state
Clearly state whether it has been ground, as unground and ground are classified under different subheadings.
⚠️ Declaring ground products as unground, resulting in subheading errors.
Use
Explain the specific use, such as food seasoning, medicine, cosmetics, etc., which helps customs determine classification.
⚠️ The use description is too general, such as "industrial use", which may raise questions.
Brand
If there is a brand, the brand name must be declared; if there is no brand, declare "none".
⚠️ Omitting brand information, affecting customs valuation and statistics.
Packaging specifications
Declare the packaging method and specifications, such as bagged, boxed, net weight per piece, etc.
⚠️ Incomplete packaging specifications, causing difficulties in inspection.
Origin
The country or region where the goods are produced or processed, affecting tariffs and trade policy.
⚠️ False declaration of origin, which may involve anti-dumping or preferential tariff issues.
Misreporting mace as nutmeg, resulting in code errors.
Failure to accurately distinguish unground from ground, resulting in incorrect subheading declaration.
False declaration of origin, affecting tariff treatment and trade statistics.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core criteria for classification are: whether the product is mace (the aril of nutmeg), and whether it has been ground. According to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, mace and nutmeg both belong to heading 0908, but subheadings are divided by type and processing state. Unground mace is classified under 090821, and ground mace under 090822. If it is nutmeg itself, it is classified under 090811 or 090812. Therefore, the type and processing state of the product must be accurately identified. 090811 Unground nutmeg: 090811 is unground nutmeg, while 090821 is unground mace. They come from different sources: nutmeg is the seed, and mace is the aril. 090812 Ground nutmeg: 090812 is ground nutmeg, and 090821 is unground mace. The difference lies in both type and processing state. 090822 Ground mace: 090822 is ground mace, and 090821 is unground mace. Only the processing state differs, so whether it has been ground must be carefully checked. 090831 Unground cardamom: 090831 is unground cardamom, which is a different type from mace. Cardamom belongs to a different genus, and its aroma and uses differ. 090921 Unground coriander: 090921 is unground coriander, belonging to a different heading (0909), and is unrelated to mace. Confirm that the product is mace rather than nutmeg. Confirm that the processing state is unground. Check the hierarchical structure of subheading 090821. Check whether the origin and brand declarations are accurate. Confirm whether the use description is specific.
Basis
The core criteria for classification are: whether the product is mace (the aril of nutmeg), and whether it has been ground. According to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, mace and nutmeg both belong to heading 0908, but subheadings are divided by type and processing state. Unground mace is classified under 090821, and ground mace under 090822. If it is nutmeg itself, it is classified under 090811 or 090812. Therefore, the type and processing state of the product must be accurately identified.
Confused Codes：
090811 - Unground nutmeg
090811 is unground nutmeg, while 090821 is unground mace. They come from different sources: nutmeg is the seed, and mace is the aril.
090812 - Ground nutmeg
090812 is ground nutmeg, and 090821 is unground mace. The difference lies in both type and processing state.
090822 - Ground mace
090822 is ground mace, and 090821 is unground mace. Only the processing state differs, so whether it has been ground must be carefully checked.
090831 - Unground cardamom
090831 is unground cardamom, which is a different type from mace. Cardamom belongs to a different genus, and its aroma and uses differ.
090921 - Unground coriander
090921 is unground coriander, belonging to a different heading (0909), and is unrelated to mace.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm that the product is mace rather than nutmeg.
✓ Confirm that the processing state is unground.
✓ Check the hierarchical structure of subheading 090821.
✓ Check whether the origin and brand declarations are accurate.
✓ Confirm whether the use description is specific.
❓ FAQ
How to distinguish mace from nutmeg? Nutmeg is the seed of the nutmeg tree, oval in shape with a reticulated surface; mace is the aril outside the seed, red or orange, turning yellowish-brown when dried, and appears torn. The two have similar aromas, but mace is more delicate. For classification, nutmeg is classified under 090811/090812, and mace under 090821/090822. What is the difference in codes between unground and ground mace? Unground mace is classified under 090821, and ground mace under 090822. Grinding includes crushing, milling and other processing, and customs will determine based on the actual state. When declaring, the processing state must be accurately described to avoid subheading errors. What are the main uses of mace? Mace is often used in food seasoning, such as baking, meat processing and sauces; it is also used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Different uses do not affect the HS code, but the use must be truthfully declared to facilitate customs statistics and supervision. What regulatory conditions are required for importing mace? Imported mace usually needs to meet phytosanitary requirements and provide a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, etc. Specific regulatory conditions vary by country, and it is recommended to check with the General Administration of Customs or consult a customs broker. The regulatory conditions for HS code 09082100 may include A/B (inbound/outbound goods clearance form), etc. How to check the tariff rate for 090821? Tariff rates may change and can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. When checking, information such as HS code and origin must be provided to determine the applicable rate (such as MFN rate, agreement rate, etc.). How to distinguish mace from cardamom mace? Mace is the aril of nutmeg and is classified under 0908.21/0908.22; cardamom mace is the aril of cardamom and is classified under 0908.31/0908.32. The two have different plant sources, and their appearance and aroma also differ. When declaring, the type must be accurately declared. Is brand information mandatory when declaring? Yes, brand is one of the declaration elements. If there is a brand, the brand name must be declared; if there is no brand, declare "none". Brand information helps customs valuation and intellectual property protection, and omission may lead to false declaration. If mace undergoes other processing (such as roasting), does the code change? If it only undergoes simple processing (such as drying and cleaning), it is still classified under 090821. If it undergoes deep processing such as roasting or mixing, it may be classified under Chapter 20 or Chapter 21. The specific classification must be determined based on the processing method and product characteristics, and it is recommended to consult the customs classification department.
Q: How to distinguish mace from nutmeg?
A: Nutmeg is the seed of the nutmeg tree, oval in shape with a reticulated surface; mace is the aril outside the seed, red or orange, turning yellowish-brown when dried, and appears torn. The two have similar aromas, but mace is more delicate. For classification, nutmeg is classified under 090811/090812, and mace under 090821/090822.
Q: What is the difference in codes between unground and ground mace?
A: Unground mace is classified under 090821, and ground mace under 090822. Grinding includes crushing, milling and other processing, and customs will determine based on the actual state. When declaring, the processing state must be accurately described to avoid subheading errors.
Q: What are the main uses of mace?
A: Mace is often used in food seasoning, such as baking, meat processing and sauces; it is also used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Different uses do not affect the HS code, but the use must be truthfully declared to facilitate customs statistics and supervision.
Q: What regulatory conditions are required for importing mace?
A: Imported mace usually needs to meet phytosanitary requirements and provide a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, etc. Specific regulatory conditions vary by country, and it is recommended to check with the General Administration of Customs or consult a customs broker. The regulatory conditions for HS code 09082100 may include A/B (inbound/outbound goods clearance form), etc.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for 090821?
A: Tariff rates may change and can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. When checking, information such as HS code and origin must be provided to determine the applicable rate (such as MFN rate, agreement rate, etc.).
Q: How to distinguish mace from cardamom mace?
A: Mace is the aril of nutmeg and is classified under 0908.21/0908.22; cardamom mace is the aril of cardamom and is classified under 0908.31/0908.32. The two have different plant sources, and their appearance and aroma also differ. When declaring, the type must be accurately declared.
Q: Is brand information mandatory when declaring?
A: Yes, brand is one of the declaration elements. If there is a brand, the brand name must be declared; if there is no brand, declare "none". Brand information helps customs valuation and intellectual property protection, and omission may lead to false declaration.
Q: If mace undergoes other processing (such as roasting), does the code change?
A: If it only undergoes simple processing (such as drying and cleaning), it is still classified under 090821. If it undergoes deep processing such as roasting or mixing, it may be classified under Chapter 20 or Chapter 21. The specific classification must be determined based on the processing method and product characteristics, and it is recommended to consult the customs classification department.
⚠️ 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.