Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices, including natural spices, certain synthetic spices and mixed seasonings. Goods in this chapter are mostly used in the food, beverage and personal care industries, and their core feature is serving as a source of flavor or aroma. HS code 0908 is specifically located in this chapter and belongs to the cardamom-type goods under the broad category of spices. Heading 0908 includes nutmeg, mace, cardamom (small cardamom), Amomum villosum and other cardamom-type spices, whether or not crushed. This heading is further subdivided by variety and degree of processing; 0908.3 is cardamom (small cardamom), and 0908.32 is crushed cardamom. Whole cardamom is classified under 0908.31, while after crushing it is classified under 0908.32. The first 2 digits 09: indicate Chapter 09, namely coffee, tea, maté and spices. Digits 3-4, 08: indicate heading 0908, covering nutmeg, cardamom and other specific spices. Digits 5-6, 32: indicate subheading 0908.32, specifically referring to crushed cardamom (small cardamom). The complete code 090832 is crushed cardamom. Whole cardamom is 090831, while nutmeg is 090811/090812, and care must be taken to distinguish them. Crushed cardamom is classified under 090832 because it is cardamom (small cardamom) and has been crushed. If whole, it is classified under 090831; if nutmeg, under 090811/090812; if other spices, it may be classified under 0910. The processing state (crushed) is the key to distinguishing 090831 from 090832.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices, including natural spices, certain synthetic spices and mixed seasonings. Goods in this chapter are mostly used in the food, beverage and personal care industries, and their core feature is serving as a source of flavor or aroma. HS code 0908 is specifically located in this chapter and belongs to the cardamom-type goods under the broad category of spices.
Heading
Heading 0908 includes nutmeg, mace, cardamom (small cardamom), Amomum villosum and other cardamom-type spices, whether or not crushed. This heading is further subdivided by variety and degree of processing; 0908.3 is cardamom (small cardamom), and 0908.32 is crushed cardamom. Whole cardamom is classified under 0908.31, while after crushing it is classified under 0908.32.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 09: indicate Chapter 09, namely coffee, tea, maté and spices. Digits 3-4, 08: indicate heading 0908, covering nutmeg, cardamom and other specific spices. Digits 5-6, 32: indicate subheading 0908.32, specifically referring to crushed cardamom (small cardamom). The complete code 090832 is crushed cardamom. Whole cardamom is 090831, while nutmeg is 090811/090812, and care must be taken to distinguish them.
Classification Basis
Crushed cardamom is classified under 090832 because it is cardamom (small cardamom) and has been crushed. If whole, it is classified under 090831; if nutmeg, under 090811/090812; if other spices, it may be classified under 0910. The processing state (crushed) is the key to distinguishing 090831 from 090832.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared goods, which should use standardized Chinese and English, such as “已磨豆蔻” or “Ground cardamom”. Processing method: State whether the cardamom is crushed, such as “crushed”, “ground into powder”, etc., to distinguish 090831 from 090832. State: Describe the physical state of the goods, such as powder, granules, whole fruit, etc., to help confirm the degree of processing. Ingredient specifications: Indicate the cardamom variety (such as small cardamom Elettaria cardamomum) and indicators such as purity and moisture content. Packaging specifications: State the packaging form and net weight, such as “25 kg/bag”, “1 kg/can”, etc. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in “none”. Use: State the use, such as “food seasoning”, “for the spice industry”, etc. Product name: Ground cardamom; Processing method: crushed; State: powder; Ingredient specifications: small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) purity 99%, moisture ≤10%; Packaging specifications: 25 kg/bag; Brand: none; Use: for food seasoning. Failure to accurately declare the processing method, mistakenly reporting crushed cardamom as whole, resulting in incorrect classification. Ignoring variety distinction, confusing cardamom (small cardamom) with nutmeg, and classifying under 0908.1 instead of 0908.3. Incomplete packaging specifications, lacking net weight, affecting customs supervision and duty calculation.
Product name
The specific name of the declared goods, which should use standardized Chinese and English, such as “已磨豆蔻” or “Ground cardamom”.
⚠️ Mistakenly written as “豆蔻粉” or “小豆蔻粉”, failing to reflect the “crushed” state.
Processing method
State whether the cardamom is crushed, such as “crushed”, “ground into powder”, etc., to distinguish 090831 from 090832.
⚠️ Writing only “dried” or “whole”, resulting in incorrect classification under 090831.
State
Describe the physical state of the goods, such as powder, granules, whole fruit, etc., to help confirm the degree of processing.
⚠️ Writing “original state” when it is actually powder, causing false declaration.
Ingredient specifications
Indicate the cardamom variety (such as small cardamom Elettaria cardamomum) and indicators such as purity and moisture content.
⚠️ Failing to indicate the variety, which may cause confusion with other cardamom types.
Packaging specifications
State the packaging form and net weight, such as “25 kg/bag”, “1 kg/can”, etc.
⚠️ Omitting net weight, affecting customs statistics and duty calculation.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in “none”.
⚠️ The brand does not match the actual goods, or the brand is omitted.
Use
State the use, such as “food seasoning”, “for the spice industry”, etc.
⚠️ The use description is too general, such as “edible”, without specifying the specific scenario.
Failure to accurately declare the processing method, mistakenly reporting crushed cardamom as whole, resulting in incorrect classification.
Ignoring variety distinction, confusing cardamom (small cardamom) with nutmeg, and classifying under 0908.1 instead of 0908.3.
Incomplete packaging specifications, lacking net weight, affecting customs supervision and duty calculation.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and HS Explanatory Notes. Heading 0908 covers nutmeg, cardamom, etc., and subheading 0908.3 specifically refers to cardamom (small cardamom). Crushed cardamom is classified under 0908.32 because it has been crushed. If whole, it is classified under 0908.31. Attention must be paid to distinguishing it from nutmeg (0908.1) and other spices (0910). 090831 Whole cardamom: The difference from 090832 lies in the processing state: 090831 is whole (complete or broken but not powdered), while 090832 is crushed. 090811 Whole nutmeg: Nutmeg and cardamom are different varieties; 090811 is whole nutmeg, while 090832 is crushed cardamom (small cardamom). 090812 Crushed nutmeg: 090812 is crushed nutmeg, which differs in variety from 090832; the former is nutmeg, the latter is cardamom. 091091 Mixed spices: 091091 is mixed spices, while 090832 is crushed single cardamom, not mixed with other spices. Confirm whether the goods are cardamom (small cardamom) variety? Confirm whether they have been crushed? Are they mixed with nutmeg or other spices? Are the packaging specifications and net weight fully declared? Are the brand and use clear?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and HS Explanatory Notes. Heading 0908 covers nutmeg, cardamom, etc., and subheading 0908.3 specifically refers to cardamom (small cardamom). Crushed cardamom is classified under 0908.32 because it has been crushed. If whole, it is classified under 0908.31. Attention must be paid to distinguishing it from nutmeg (0908.1) and other spices (0910).
Confused Codes：
090831 - Whole cardamom
The difference from 090832 lies in the processing state: 090831 is whole (complete or broken but not powdered), while 090832 is crushed.
090811 - Whole nutmeg
Nutmeg and cardamom are different varieties; 090811 is whole nutmeg, while 090832 is crushed cardamom (small cardamom).
090812 - Crushed nutmeg
090812 is crushed nutmeg, which differs in variety from 090832; the former is nutmeg, the latter is cardamom.
091091 - Mixed spices
091091 is mixed spices, while 090832 is crushed single cardamom, not mixed with other spices.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm whether the goods are cardamom (small cardamom) variety?
✓ Confirm whether they have been crushed?
✓ Are they mixed with nutmeg or other spices?
✓ Are the packaging specifications and net weight fully declared?
✓ Are the brand and use clear?
❓ FAQ
How can I inquire about the HS code for crushed cardamom? You can use the customs tariff, HS code inquiry websites, or consult a customs broker. Enter the keyword “cardamom” and filter the processing state as “crushed” to find 090832. Be sure to confirm the variety is small cardamom. What is the difference between the HS codes for crushed cardamom and whole cardamom? Crushed cardamom is classified under 090832, and whole cardamom under 090831. The difference lies in whether it has been crushed, and the processing method must be clearly stated when declaring. Are the HS codes for cardamom and nutmeg easily confused? Yes. Nutmeg is classified under 0908.1 (whole 090811, crushed 090812), while cardamom (small cardamom) is classified under 0908.3. The two are different varieties and must be accurately classified according to the actual goods. What are the declaration elements for crushed cardamom? They mainly include product name, processing method, state, ingredient specifications, packaging specifications, brand, use, etc. Detailed completion helps expedite customs clearance. What regulatory documents are required for importing crushed cardamom? Usually a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, health certificate, etc. are required, depending on the exporting country and Chinese customs requirements. It is advisable to consult a customs broker or customs in advance. How can I inquire about the tariff rate for crushed cardamom? Tariff rates may change. You can consult the latest Import and Export Tariff or check through the General Administration of Customs website or the Single Window. Note the application of MFN rates, general rates and agreement rates. How is crushed cardamom classified for cross-border e-commerce sales? Cross-border e-commerce retail imports are also classified according to HS codes, and crushed cardamom is 090832. Attention must be paid to the cross-border e-commerce positive list and quotas, and complete elements must be provided when declaring. What are the inspection and quarantine requirements for crushed cardamom? At import, it must comply with China's national food safety standards, and animal and plant quarantine approval may be required. The exporting country needs an official quarantine certificate, with key attention to indicators such as pesticide residues and heavy metals.
Q: How can I inquire about the HS code for crushed cardamom?
A: You can use the customs tariff, HS code inquiry websites, or consult a customs broker. Enter the keyword “cardamom” and filter the processing state as “crushed” to find 090832. Be sure to confirm the variety is small cardamom.
Q: What is the difference between the HS codes for crushed cardamom and whole cardamom?
A: Crushed cardamom is classified under 090832, and whole cardamom under 090831. The difference lies in whether it has been crushed, and the processing method must be clearly stated when declaring.
Q: Are the HS codes for cardamom and nutmeg easily confused?
A: Yes. Nutmeg is classified under 0908.1 (whole 090811, crushed 090812), while cardamom (small cardamom) is classified under 0908.3. The two are different varieties and must be accurately classified according to the actual goods.
Q: What are the declaration elements for crushed cardamom?
A: They mainly include product name, processing method, state, ingredient specifications, packaging specifications, brand, use, etc. Detailed completion helps expedite customs clearance.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for importing crushed cardamom?
A: Usually a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, health certificate, etc. are required, depending on the exporting country and Chinese customs requirements. It is advisable to consult a customs broker or customs in advance.
Q: How can I inquire about the tariff rate for crushed cardamom?
A: Tariff rates may change. You can consult the latest Import and Export Tariff or check through the General Administration of Customs website or the Single Window. Note the application of MFN rates, general rates and agreement rates.
Q: How is crushed cardamom classified for cross-border e-commerce sales?
A: Cross-border e-commerce retail imports are also classified according to HS codes, and crushed cardamom is 090832. Attention must be paid to the cross-border e-commerce positive list and quotas, and complete elements must be provided when declaring.
Q: What are the inspection and quarantine requirements for crushed cardamom?
A: At import, it must comply with China's national food safety standards, and animal and plant quarantine approval may be required. The exporting country needs an official quarantine certificate, with key attention to indicators such as pesticide residues and heavy metals.
⚠️ 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.