Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, mate, and spices, mainly including coffee beans, tea leaves, and various spices (such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cumin, etc.). These goods are mostly plant-derived and used for food seasoning, beverages, or medicinal purposes, but this chapter does not include extracts for pharmaceutical or cosmetic uses. Heading 0909 covers seed spices such as anise, fennel, coriander, cumin, caraway, etc., whether or not crushed or ground. However, note that this heading only includes whole or crushed seeds, and does not include powdered mixed spices or further processed products. First 2 digits 09: belongs to Chapter 9 (Coffee, tea, mate and spices). Digits 3-4 09: heading 0909, specifically seed spices such as anise, fennel, coriander, cumin, caraway, etc. Digits 5-6 31: subheading 090931, specifically referring to cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum), neither crushed nor ground. If ground cumin seeds, they are classified under 090932. Therefore, digits 5-6 distinguish whether crushed or ground, with 31 representing neither crushed nor ground, and 32 representing crushed or ground. Cumin seeds are seed spices and are neither crushed nor ground, so they are classified under 090931. If ground, they are classified under 090932; if mixed spices or further processed, they may be classified under 0910 or 2103. In addition, if cumin seeds are used for extracting essential oils, they may be classified under 3301, but generally only when used as spice raw materials are they classified under 0909.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, mate, and spices, mainly including coffee beans, tea leaves, and various spices (such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cumin, etc.). These goods are mostly plant-derived and used for food seasoning, beverages, or medicinal purposes, but this chapter does not include extracts for pharmaceutical or cosmetic uses.
Heading
Heading 0909 covers seed spices such as anise, fennel, coriander, cumin, caraway, etc., whether or not crushed or ground. However, note that this heading only includes whole or crushed seeds, and does not include powdered mixed spices or further processed products.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 09: belongs to Chapter 9 (Coffee, tea, mate and spices). Digits 3-4 09: heading 0909, specifically seed spices such as anise, fennel, coriander, cumin, caraway, etc. Digits 5-6 31: subheading 090931, specifically referring to cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum), neither crushed nor ground. If ground cumin seeds, they are classified under 090932. Therefore, digits 5-6 distinguish whether crushed or ground, with 31 representing neither crushed nor ground, and 32 representing crushed or ground.
Classification Basis
Cumin seeds are seed spices and are neither crushed nor ground, so they are classified under 090931. If ground, they are classified under 090932; if mixed spices or further processed, they may be classified under 0910 or 2103. In addition, if cumin seeds are used for extracting essential oils, they may be classified under 3301, but generally only when used as spice raw materials are they classified under 0909.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared goods should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as "unground cumin seeds" or "Cumin seeds, unground". Whether Ground: Clearly declare whether the goods have been ground or crushed, which is the key element distinguishing 090931 from 090932. Use: Explain the use of the goods, such as edible spices, industrial raw materials, etc., which helps customs determine classification. Ingredient Content: Declare the purity or active ingredient content of cumin seeds, such as volatile oil content, but usually it is only necessary to indicate pure cumin seeds. Packaging Specifications: Declare the packaging form and specifications of the goods, such as bagged, boxed, net weight per package, etc. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, indicate "none". Origin: Declare the country or region of origin of the goods, which affects tariffs and trade policies. Product Name: Unground cumin seeds; Whether Ground: Unground; Use: Edible spice; Ingredient Content: Pure cumin seeds; Packaging Specifications: 25 kg/bag; Brand: None; Origin: India. Failure to clearly declare whether ground, leading to classification errors. Confusing cumin seeds with cumin powder, the latter should be classified under 090932. False use declaration, such as actually used for industrial extraction but declared as edible.
Product Name
The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared goods should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as "unground cumin seeds" or "Cumin seeds, unground".
⚠️ Only writing "cumin" without indicating whether it is ground, leading to classification errors.
Whether Ground
Clearly declare whether the goods have been ground or crushed, which is the key element distinguishing 090931 from 090932.
⚠️ Declaring ground cumin seeds as unground, or vice versa.
Use
Explain the use of the goods, such as edible spices, industrial raw materials, etc., which helps customs determine classification.
⚠️ Use description is too general, such as "edible", without specific explanation.
Ingredient Content
Declare the purity or active ingredient content of cumin seeds, such as volatile oil content, but usually it is only necessary to indicate pure cumin seeds.
⚠️ Incorrectly adding other ingredient contents, such as moisture, impurities, etc., resulting in false declaration.
Packaging Specifications
Declare the packaging form and specifications of the goods, such as bagged, boxed, net weight per package, etc.
⚠️ Packaging specifications are unclear, affecting customs inspection.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, indicate "none".
⚠️ Ignoring brand declaration, or incorrectly declaring the brand.
Origin
Declare the country or region of origin of the goods, which affects tariffs and trade policies.
⚠️ Incorrect origin declaration, leading to incorrect applicable tax rates.
Failure to clearly declare whether ground, leading to classification errors.
Confusing cumin seeds with cumin powder, the latter should be classified under 090932.
False use declaration, such as actually used for industrial extraction but declared as edible.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the processing state of the goods: whether ground. Unground cumin seeds are classified under 090931, ground cumin seeds under 090932. In addition, it is necessary to confirm that the goods are pure cumin seeds, rather than mixed spices or further processed products. If cumin seeds have been roasted, seasoned, or otherwise treated, they may be classified under other headings. 090932 Ground cumin seeds: Different processing state: 090931 is unground, 090932 is ground. The two are classified differently only because of whether ground. 091099 Other spices: 091099 covers other spices not elsewhere specified; if cumin seeds are mixed with other spices, they may be classified under this code. 330129 Essential oils other than citrus: If cumin seeds are used for extracting essential oils, they are classified under 3301, but cumin seeds as spice raw materials are still classified under 0909. 210390 Seasonings: If cumin seeds are further processed into seasonings (such as cumin powder mixed with other seasonings), they are classified under 2103. Are the goods pure cumin seeds? Have they been ground or crushed? Are they mixed with other spices? Is the use edible spice? Is the packaging suitable for transportation?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the processing state of the goods: whether ground. Unground cumin seeds are classified under 090931, ground cumin seeds under 090932. In addition, it is necessary to confirm that the goods are pure cumin seeds, rather than mixed spices or further processed products. If cumin seeds have been roasted, seasoned, or otherwise treated, they may be classified under other headings.
Confused Codes：
090932 - Ground cumin seeds
Different processing state: 090931 is unground, 090932 is ground. The two are classified differently only because of whether ground.
091099 - Other spices
091099 covers other spices not elsewhere specified; if cumin seeds are mixed with other spices, they may be classified under this code.
330129 - Essential oils other than citrus
If cumin seeds are used for extracting essential oils, they are classified under 3301, but cumin seeds as spice raw materials are still classified under 0909.
210390 - Seasonings
If cumin seeds are further processed into seasonings (such as cumin powder mixed with other seasonings), they are classified under 2103.
Self-Check：
✓ Are the goods pure cumin seeds?
✓ Have they been ground or crushed?
✓ Are they mixed with other spices?
✓ Is the use edible spice?
✓ Is the packaging suitable for transportation?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between unground cumin seeds and ground cumin seeds? Unground cumin seeds are classified under 090931, ground cumin seeds under 090932. The two are classified differently only because of different processing states, and it is necessary to clearly declare whether ground during customs declaration. How to inquire about the import tariff rate for cumin seeds? It can be inquired through the General Administration of Customs website or the International Trade Single Window by entering HS code 090931 and the origin, and the system will display the applicable tax rate. Tax rates may vary due to free trade agreements. What regulatory conditions are required for importing cumin seeds? Usually, a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, contract, invoice, packing list, etc. are required. Some countries may require fumigation certificates. For specifics, consult the local customs. If cumin seeds are roasted, will the HS code change? Roasting is further processing and may change the classification. If only roasted and unground, they may still be classified under 0909, but if seasoned or mixed, they may be classified under 2103. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker. How to declare the HS code for selling cumin seeds via cross-border e-commerce? Cross-border e-commerce is usually declared as personal items or express shipments, but if imported in bulk, they still need to be declared under HS code 090931 according to general trade. Attention should be paid to packaging and labeling requirements. How to distinguish cumin seeds from cumin powder during customs declaration? During customs declaration, it is necessary to clearly state "unground" or "ground" in the product name and declaration elements. Customs may inspect the state of the goods, and misdeclaration may lead to classification errors and penalties. Which countries are the main suppliers of cumin seeds? India, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, etc. are the main producing countries. When importing, attention should be paid to the origin in order to apply the corresponding tariff policy. What is the export rebate rate for HS code 090931? The export rebate rate needs to be inquired according to the national policy of the current year, usually available through the electronic tax bureau or customs website. Different goods have different export rebate rates, and it is recommended to refer to the latest policy.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between unground cumin seeds and ground cumin seeds?
A: Unground cumin seeds are classified under 090931, ground cumin seeds under 090932. The two are classified differently only because of different processing states, and it is necessary to clearly declare whether ground during customs declaration.
Q: How to inquire about the import tariff rate for cumin seeds?
A: It can be inquired through the General Administration of Customs website or the International Trade Single Window by entering HS code 090931 and the origin, and the system will display the applicable tax rate. Tax rates may vary due to free trade agreements.
Q: What regulatory conditions are required for importing cumin seeds?
A: Usually, a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, contract, invoice, packing list, etc. are required. Some countries may require fumigation certificates. For specifics, consult the local customs.
Q: If cumin seeds are roasted, will the HS code change?
A: Roasting is further processing and may change the classification. If only roasted and unground, they may still be classified under 0909, but if seasoned or mixed, they may be classified under 2103. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker.
Q: How to declare the HS code for selling cumin seeds via cross-border e-commerce?
A: Cross-border e-commerce is usually declared as personal items or express shipments, but if imported in bulk, they still need to be declared under HS code 090931 according to general trade. Attention should be paid to packaging and labeling requirements.
Q: How to distinguish cumin seeds from cumin powder during customs declaration?
A: During customs declaration, it is necessary to clearly state "unground" or "ground" in the product name and declaration elements. Customs may inspect the state of the goods, and misdeclaration may lead to classification errors and penalties.
Q: Which countries are the main suppliers of cumin seeds?
A: India, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, etc. are the main producing countries. When importing, attention should be paid to the origin in order to apply the corresponding tariff policy.
Q: What is the export rebate rate for HS code 090931?
A: The export rebate rate needs to be inquired according to the national policy of the current year, usually available through the electronic tax bureau or customs website. Different goods have different export rebate rates, and it is recommended to refer to the latest policy.
⚠️ 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.