Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices, including coffee beans, tea leaves, pepper, chili peppers, cardamom, fennel, etc. These goods are mostly primary plant-based agricultural products or simply processed products, used for food seasoning and beverage preparation. Goods of this chapter usually require drying, crushing, grinding, etc., but their basic composition is not changed. Customs classification focuses on variety, processing state (unmilled/milled) and whether mixed. Heading 0910 covers ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices. Among them, ginger includes fresh, dried, unmilled or milled rhizomes. This heading distinguishes ginger from other seasonings, but unmilled ginger and milled ginger are listed under different subheadings. Note: ginger oleoresin, ginger essential oil and other extracts are not classified under this heading. First 2 digits 09 = chapter (coffee, tea, spices); 3rd-4th digits 10 = heading (ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices); 5th-6th digits 11 = subheading (unmilled ginger). Specifically, 0910.11 refers to unmilled ginger (including fresh ginger and dried ginger, but not crushed or ground). If ginger is ground into powder, it is classified under 0910.12. The subheading division is based on processing state: unmilled (whole, crushed, but not ground) and milled (ground/powdered). This product is unmilled ginger, which conforms to the description of subheading 0910.11. If it has been ground into powder, it is classified under 0910.12; if it is ginger oleoresin or essential oil, it is classified under 3301; if it is candied ginger or vinegar-preserved ginger, it is classified under 2006 or 2001. Therefore, the processing state (unmilled) is the key to determining classification under this code.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices, including coffee beans, tea leaves, pepper, chili peppers, cardamom, fennel, etc. These goods are mostly primary plant-based agricultural products or simply processed products, used for food seasoning and beverage preparation. Goods of this chapter usually require drying, crushing, grinding, etc., but their basic composition is not changed. Customs classification focuses on variety, processing state (unmilled/milled) and whether mixed.
Heading
Heading 0910 covers ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices. Among them, ginger includes fresh, dried, unmilled or milled rhizomes. This heading distinguishes ginger from other seasonings, but unmilled ginger and milled ginger are listed under different subheadings. Note: ginger oleoresin, ginger essential oil and other extracts are not classified under this heading.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 09 = chapter (coffee, tea, spices); 3rd-4th digits 10 = heading (ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices); 5th-6th digits 11 = subheading (unmilled ginger). Specifically, 0910.11 refers to unmilled ginger (including fresh ginger and dried ginger, but not crushed or ground). If ginger is ground into powder, it is classified under 0910.12. The subheading division is based on processing state: unmilled (whole, crushed, but not ground) and milled (ground/powdered).
Classification Basis
This product is unmilled ginger, which conforms to the description of subheading 0910.11. If it has been ground into powder, it is classified under 0910.12; if it is ginger oleoresin or essential oil, it is classified under 3301; if it is candied ginger or vinegar-preserved ginger, it is classified under 2006 or 2001. Therefore, the processing state (unmilled) is the key to determining classification under this code.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared product, such as "unmilled ginger", "dried ginger pieces", etc., must be consistent with the actual goods. Processing state: Indicate whether it is ground, peeled, dried, etc., such as "unmilled, unpeeled, dried". Whether peeled: State whether the ginger is peeled. Peeled ginger is usually classified under 0910.11, but note that peeling may affect the degree of processing. Use: State the main use, such as food seasoning, medicinal use, essential oil extraction, etc. Use affects classification. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "none". Packaging specifications: Such as bagged, boxed, net weight per package, etc., affecting declaration measurement. Origin: The country/region where the ginger is grown or produced, affecting tariffs and trade agreements. Product name: unmilled ginger; Processing state: unmilled, unpeeled, dried; Whether peeled: no; Use: food seasoning; Brand: none; Packaging specifications: 20 kg/bag; Origin: China. Mistakenly declaring unmilled ginger as milled ginger, resulting in subheading error. Ignoring peeling status; peeled and unpeeled may affect classification. Vague declaration of use, such as writing only "food", without distinguishing seasoning or medicinal use.
Product name
The specific name of the declared product, such as "unmilled ginger", "dried ginger pieces", etc., must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing "ginger powder" or "ginger slices", leading to classification errors.
Processing state
Indicate whether it is ground, peeled, dried, etc., such as "unmilled, unpeeled, dried".
⚠️ Writing only "unmilled" but it is actually sliced; slicing is crushing but not grinding, and it can still be classified under this code.
Whether peeled
State whether the ginger is peeled. Peeled ginger is usually classified under 0910.11, but note that peeling may affect the degree of processing.
⚠️ Mistakenly classifying peeled ginger as milled ginger.
Use
State the main use, such as food seasoning, medicinal use, essential oil extraction, etc. Use affects classification.
⚠️ Declaring medicinal ginger as food ginger, resulting in non-compliance with regulatory conditions.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "none".
⚠️ Ignoring the brand, leading to intellectual property issues.
Packaging specifications
Such as bagged, boxed, net weight per package, etc., affecting declaration measurement.
⚠️ Packaging specifications do not match the actual goods, affecting customs inspection.
Origin
The country/region where the ginger is grown or produced, affecting tariffs and trade agreements.
⚠️ False declaration of origin, resulting in inability to enjoy preferential tariff rates.
Mistakenly declaring unmilled ginger as milled ginger, resulting in subheading error.
Ignoring peeling status; peeled and unpeeled may affect classification.
Vague declaration of use, such as writing only "food", without distinguishing seasoning or medicinal use.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and its notes. Unmilled ginger refers to ginger that has not been ground into powder, including fresh ginger, dried ginger, sliced, crushed but not powdered. If ginger is ground into powder, it is classified under 0910.12. If ginger has been candied, vinegar-preserved or otherwise processed, it is classified under Chapter 20. If ginger is used for extracting essential oil, it is classified under Chapter 33. Therefore, processing state and use are the key criteria for determination. 0910.12 Milled ginger: Milled ginger is in powder form, while unmilled ginger is in block, slice or crushed but not powdered form. 0910.99 Other spices: Other spices include curry, mixed spices, etc.; ginger is listed separately. 2006.00 Candied vegetables: Candied ginger has undergone sugar treatment, changing its basic composition, and is classified under Chapter 20. 3301.90 Other essential oils: Ginger essential oil is an extract and is classified under Chapter 33, rather than using ginger directly. Confirm whether the ginger is ground into powder? Confirm whether it is peeled? Confirm whether it has been candied or vinegar-preserved? Confirm whether the use is seasoning or medicinal? Confirm whether it is mixed with other spices?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and its notes. Unmilled ginger refers to ginger that has not been ground into powder, including fresh ginger, dried ginger, sliced, crushed but not powdered. If ginger is ground into powder, it is classified under 0910.12. If ginger has been candied, vinegar-preserved or otherwise processed, it is classified under Chapter 20. If ginger is used for extracting essential oil, it is classified under Chapter 33. Therefore, processing state and use are the key criteria for determination.
Confused Codes：
0910.12 - Milled ginger
Milled ginger is in powder form, while unmilled ginger is in block, slice or crushed but not powdered form.
0910.99 - Other spices
Other spices include curry, mixed spices, etc.; ginger is listed separately.
2006.00 - Candied vegetables
Candied ginger has undergone sugar treatment, changing its basic composition, and is classified under Chapter 20.
3301.90 - Other essential oils
Ginger essential oil is an extract and is classified under Chapter 33, rather than using ginger directly.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm whether the ginger is ground into powder?
✓ Confirm whether it is peeled?
✓ Confirm whether it has been candied or vinegar-preserved?
✓ Confirm whether the use is seasoning or medicinal?
✓ Confirm whether it is mixed with other spices?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between unmilled ginger and milled ginger? Unmilled ginger is classified under 0910.11, and milled ginger is classified under 0910.12. The difference lies in whether it is ground into powder. Sliced, crushed but not powdered ginger still belongs to unmilled ginger. Are the HS codes for dried ginger and fresh ginger the same? Both dried ginger and fresh ginger are classified under 0910.11, because the subheading does not distinguish between dried and fresh, only whether it is ground. However, the state must be indicated when declaring. Which code should ginger powder be classified under? Ginger powder is classified under 0910.12 because it has been ground into powder. If ginger powder is mixed with other spices, it may be classified under 0910.99. Which code should candied ginger slices be classified under? Candied ginger slices have undergone sugar processing, which exceeds the scope of Chapter 09, and should be classified under 2006.00 (candied vegetables). Which code should ginger essential oil be classified under? Ginger essential oil belongs to essential oils and is classified under 3301.90, not 0910. What elements are required to declare unmilled ginger? Product name, processing state, whether peeled, use, brand, packaging specifications, origin, etc. are required. How can I check the tariff rate for unmilled ginger? You can check the Import and Export Tariff or the website of the General Administration of Customs, and determine the tariff rate based on origin and trade agreements. What are the regulatory conditions for unmilled ginger? It may involve animal and plant quarantine, food hygiene, etc. Specifically, customs regulations need to be checked according to use and origin.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between unmilled ginger and milled ginger?
A: Unmilled ginger is classified under 0910.11, and milled ginger is classified under 0910.12. The difference lies in whether it is ground into powder. Sliced, crushed but not powdered ginger still belongs to unmilled ginger.
Q: Are the HS codes for dried ginger and fresh ginger the same?
A: Both dried ginger and fresh ginger are classified under 0910.11, because the subheading does not distinguish between dried and fresh, only whether it is ground. However, the state must be indicated when declaring.
Q: Which code should ginger powder be classified under?
A: Ginger powder is classified under 0910.12 because it has been ground into powder. If ginger powder is mixed with other spices, it may be classified under 0910.99.
Q: Which code should candied ginger slices be classified under?
A: Candied ginger slices have undergone sugar processing, which exceeds the scope of Chapter 09, and should be classified under 2006.00 (candied vegetables).
Q: Which code should ginger essential oil be classified under?
A: Ginger essential oil belongs to essential oils and is classified under 3301.90, not 0910.
Q: What elements are required to declare unmilled ginger?
A: Product name, processing state, whether peeled, use, brand, packaging specifications, origin, etc. are required.
Q: How can I check the tariff rate for unmilled ginger?
A: You can check the Import and Export Tariff or the website of the General Administration of Customs, and determine the tariff rate based on origin and trade agreements.
Q: What are the regulatory conditions for unmilled ginger?
A: It may involve animal and plant quarantine, food hygiene, etc. Specifically, customs regulations need to be checked according to use and origin.
⚠️ 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.