Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices, including natural plant-based spices, partially processed spices and mixed seasonings. Goods in this chapter are mainly for food consumption or industrial extraction of essential oils, involving cultivation, harvesting, drying, grading and other processes. When classifying for customs, attention should be focused on the degree of processing (such as unground/ground), whether mixed, packaging specifications, etc., as these directly affect subheading classification. Heading 0908 covers nutmeg, mace, cardamom (small cardamom), Amomum fruit and similar spices, including unground or ground products. The goods under this heading are all tropical spices with distinctive aromas, widely used in food seasoning, medicine and daily chemicals. Subheadings are divided by specific variety and degree of processing; 0908.31 is unground cardamom, and 0908.32 is ground cardamom. Code 090831 has 6 digits: the first 2 digits "09" represent Chapter 9 (coffee, tea, spices); digits 3-4 "08" represent heading 0908 (nutmeg, cardamom, etc.); digits 5-6 "31" represent subheading 0908.31, specifically referring to unground cardamom. Here "31" is the subheading number, distinguished from "32" for ground cardamom. When classifying, it is necessary to confirm that the goods are the fruit of the genus Elettaria cardamomum and have not been ground. The goods are unground cardamom, belonging to the dried mature fruit of plants of the genus Elettaria, and have not undergone grinding processing, so they are classified under 0908.31. If ground into powder, they are classified under 0908.32; if nutmeg, under 0908.11/12; if Amomum fruit, under 0908.33/34. The degree of processing is the key to distinguishing this code from adjacent codes.

Product name (Chinese and foreign language): Fill in the standard Chinese name of the goods and the corresponding foreign language name, such as "Unground cardamom", ensuring consistency with the contract and invoice. Variety (botanical name): Indicate the botanical name of the cardamom, such as Elettaria cardamomum, to distinguish it from other Zingiberaceae plants. Processing method: Clearly state whether grinding, crushing, mixing or other treatments have been carried out, such as "unground", "whole dried", etc. State (whole/crushed): Describe the physical state of the goods, such as whole fruit, shelled, crushed but not ground, etc. Packaging specifications: Fill in the packaging form and weight per piece, such as "25 kg/bag", "carton packing", etc. Use: Explain the main use, such as food seasoning, medicinal use, extraction of essential oils, etc. Brand (if any): Fill in the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "none". Origin: Fill in the country/region where the goods are produced or collected, such as India, Guatemala, etc. Product name: Unground cardamom; Variety: Elettaria cardamomum; Processing method: unground, whole dried; State: whole fruit; Packaging specifications: 25 kg/jute bag; Use: food seasoning; Brand: none; Origin: India. Confusing unground cardamom with ground cardamom and incorrectly classifying under 0908.32, resulting in tariff differences. Failure to declare the botanical name may cause it to be mistaken for other Zingiberaceae plants such as Alpinia katsumadai, affecting classification. Ignoring details of the processing method, such as crushed but not ground, may result in a request for supplementary explanation.

The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and the HS Explanatory Notes. Cardamom refers to the fruit of the genus Elettaria, commonly small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). Unground means not ground into powder, but may include whole, crushed, shelled, etc. If ground, it is classified under 0908.32. At the same time, attention must be paid to distinguishing it from nutmeg (0908.11/12) and Amomum fruit (0908.33/34), based on variety and degree of processing. 090832 Ground cardamom: Ground cardamom has been ground into powder, while 090831 is unground, including whole or crushed but not powdered. The degree of processing is the sole distinguishing criterion. 090811 Unground nutmeg: Nutmeg is the fruit of the genus Myristica, a different variety from cardamom, with large differences in appearance and aroma; classification must be distinguished based on botanical name. 090833 Unground Amomum fruit: Amomum fruit is a plant of the Zingiberaceae family, genus Amomum or Alpinia, but usually refers to Amomum villosum, etc., which is a different genus from cardamom (Elettaria) and must be distinguished based on variety. 091099 Other spices: If cardamom is mixed with other spices or further processed, it may be classified under 0910, but pure cardamom, whether or not mixed with other substances, is classified under 0908. Confirm that the goods are the fruit of the genus Elettaria, not nutmeg or Amomum fruit. Confirm that the processing method is unground, including whole, crushed but not powdered. Check the botanical name to avoid confusion with Alpinia katsumadai or Amomum kravanh. Check whether packaging specifications affect classification (such as retail packaging). Confirm that origin and brand information are accurate.

How to distinguish unground cardamom from ground cardamom? Unground cardamom refers to whole fruit or crushed fruit that has not been ground and still appears granular; ground cardamom is ground into powder. The two are classified differently: unground under 0908.31, ground under 0908.32. When declaring, it must be clearly noted in the processing method column. Are cardamom and nutmeg the same thing? No. Cardamom usually refers to small cardamom of the genus Elettaria, while nutmeg is of the genus Myristica. The two differ in botany, appearance, aroma and use, and their HS codes are classified under 0908.31 and 0908.11 respectively. If cardamom is crushed but not ground, which code should it be classified under? It is still classified under 0908.31 (unground cardamom), because "unground" includes crushing, pressing and other processing that does not produce powder. However, if after crushing it is further ground into powder, it is classified under 0908.32. Must all declaration elements be filled in when declaring? According to customs regulations, declaration elements marked with * are mandatory, and others are optional. However, for smooth customs clearance, it is recommended to fill in as completely as possible, especially key information such as product name, variety, processing method and use. Is the HS code for cardamom affected by packaging? Usually it is not affected by packaging, but if it is retail packaging and mixed with other spices, it may be classified under 0910. Pure cardamom, regardless of packaging, is classified under 0908. It is recommended to indicate packaging specifications when declaring. How to check the import tariff rate for cardamom? You can check the latest tariff rate by entering 090831 through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or HS code query tools. Tariff rates may change due to origin, trade agreements, etc., and official real-time data should prevail. What regulatory documents are required for importing cardamom? Generally, a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, contract, invoice, packing list, etc. are required. Some countries may require endangered species certificates. Specific requirements are subject to customs and inspection and quarantine authorities. What are the consequences of mistakenly classifying cardamom under another code? It may lead to tariff differences, unpaid taxes, customs penalties, and even affect corporate credit. It is recommended to declare truthfully and, if necessary, apply for advance classification.