Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices, including pepper, chili, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, etc. These commodities are mostly tropical or subtropical plant products, usually subjected to simple processing (such as drying, grinding) before direct use. This chapter is a core chapter in the trade of food, beverages and spices, involving the interface between primary agricultural processing and the food industry. Heading 0915 specifically covers nutmeg, mace, cardamoms and similar spices. Among them, nutmeg and mace are the main varieties, which may be neither crushed nor ground, or crushed or ground. This heading distinguishes between the neither crushed nor ground and crushed or ground states, because grinding changes the physical form of the commodity, affecting its use, packaging and trade practices, but does not change its essential character. The first 2 digits 09 represent Chapter 9 (Coffee, tea, spices). The 3rd-4th digits 15 represent heading 0915, i.e., nutmeg, mace and cardamoms. The 5th-6th digits 20 are the subheading, indicating crushed or ground nutmeg. Therefore, the complete meaning of 091520 is: under Chapter 9, within heading 0915, crushed or ground nutmeg under subheading 20. If it is neither crushed nor ground nutmeg, it is classified under 091510. This commodity is crushed or ground nutmeg. Because it has undergone grinding processing, it is not classified under 091510 for neither crushed nor ground. At the same time, it does not belong to spices of other headings (such as pepper 0904, cinnamon 0906), nor to food preparations (such as Chapter 21). Grinding does not change its essential character as nutmeg, so it remains in 0915, only subdivided by state.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices, including pepper, chili, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, etc. These commodities are mostly tropical or subtropical plant products, usually subjected to simple processing (such as drying, grinding) before direct use. This chapter is a core chapter in the trade of food, beverages and spices, involving the interface between primary agricultural processing and the food industry.
Heading
Heading 0915 specifically covers nutmeg, mace, cardamoms and similar spices. Among them, nutmeg and mace are the main varieties, which may be neither crushed nor ground, or crushed or ground. This heading distinguishes between the neither crushed nor ground and crushed or ground states, because grinding changes the physical form of the commodity, affecting its use, packaging and trade practices, but does not change its essential character.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 09 represent Chapter 9 (Coffee, tea, spices). The 3rd-4th digits 15 represent heading 0915, i.e., nutmeg, mace and cardamoms. The 5th-6th digits 20 are the subheading, indicating crushed or ground nutmeg. Therefore, the complete meaning of 091520 is: under Chapter 9, within heading 0915, crushed or ground nutmeg under subheading 20. If it is neither crushed nor ground nutmeg, it is classified under 091510.
Classification Basis
This commodity is crushed or ground nutmeg. Because it has undergone grinding processing, it is not classified under 091510 for neither crushed nor ground. At the same time, it does not belong to spices of other headings (such as pepper 0904, cinnamon 0906), nor to food preparations (such as Chapter 21). Grinding does not change its essential character as nutmeg, so it remains in 0915, only subdivided by state.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, which should use standard Chinese or English, such as "已磨肉豆蔻" or "Ground nutmeg". Brand: Fill in the manufacturer's or seller's brand; if there is no brand, fill in "No brand". Processing method: Indicate whether it has been ground, such as "ground", "ground into powder". State: Describe the physical state of the commodity, such as powder, fine powder, coarse powder. Ingredient content: Main ingredients and content, such as nutmeg purity and whether other substances have been added. Packaging specifications: Packaging form and net weight, such as bagged, bottled, net weight per piece. Use: Main use, such as food seasoning, industrial raw material, medicinal use. Product name: Ground nutmeg; Brand: ABC; Processing method: ground into powder; State: powder; Ingredient content: nutmeg 100%; Packaging specifications: 25 kg/bag; Use: for food seasoning. Failure to clearly mark "ground", which may lead to mistaken classification as neither crushed nor ground nutmeg 091510. Ingredient content does not state whether it is pure nutmeg; if it contains additives, it may be classified under other headings. The use is declared as "medicinal" but relevant certificates are not provided, which may trigger inspection.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, which should use standard Chinese or English, such as "已磨肉豆蔻" or "Ground nutmeg".
⚠️ Mistakenly written as "肉豆蔻粉" or "豆蔻粉", causing classification confusion.
Brand
Fill in the manufacturer's or seller's brand; if there is no brand, fill in "No brand".
⚠️ Confusing brand with place of origin, or omitting the brand resulting in incomplete declaration.
Processing method
Indicate whether it has been ground, such as "ground", "ground into powder".
⚠️ Only filling in "dried" without stating grinding, which may lead to classification under the neither crushed nor ground subheading.
State
Describe the physical state of the commodity, such as powder, fine powder, coarse powder.
⚠️ Vaguely filling in "solid" or "granular", making it impossible to distinguish whether it has been ground.
Ingredient content
Main ingredients and content, such as nutmeg purity and whether other substances have been added.
⚠️ Ignoring additives (such as anti-caking agents), which may lead to classification under other headings.
Packaging specifications
Packaging form and net weight, such as bagged, bottled, net weight per piece.
⚠️ Filling in "retail packaging" without specifying detailed specifications, affecting regulatory conditions.
Use
Main use, such as food seasoning, industrial raw material, medicinal use.
⚠️ Filling in "edible" without distinguishing direct consumption or processing use.
Failure to clearly mark "ground", which may lead to mistaken classification as neither crushed nor ground nutmeg 091510.
Ingredient content does not state whether it is pure nutmeg; if it contains additives, it may be classified under other headings.
The use is declared as "medicinal" but relevant certificates are not provided, which may trigger inspection.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is whether the commodity has been ground. Ground nutmeg, due to the change in physical form, is classified under subheading 091520; if neither crushed nor ground, it is classified under 091510. At the same time, it is necessary to confirm that the commodity is nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), rather than other cardamoms (such as small cardamom) or mixed spices. If mixed with other spices, it may be classified under 0910 or 2103. 091510 Nutmeg, neither crushed nor ground: Neither crushed nor ground nutmeg is whole or broken but not ground, while ground nutmeg is in powder form; the two differ only in processing state. 090611 Cinnamon, neither crushed nor ground: Cinnamon is a different plant, with different appearance, odor and use, and must not be confused. 090831 Cardamoms, neither crushed nor ground: Cardamoms are plants of a different genus, with smaller grains and different flavor, and are classified under different subheadings. 210390 Other seasonings: If ground nutmeg is mixed with other ingredients into a seasoning, it is classified under 2103, not 0915. Has it been confirmed that the commodity is nutmeg rather than other cardamoms? Has it undergone grinding processing? Have other substances been added? Is the packaging for retail sale? Is the use for food seasoning?
Basis
The core basis for classification is whether the commodity has been ground. Ground nutmeg, due to the change in physical form, is classified under subheading 091520; if neither crushed nor ground, it is classified under 091510. At the same time, it is necessary to confirm that the commodity is nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), rather than other cardamoms (such as small cardamom) or mixed spices. If mixed with other spices, it may be classified under 0910 or 2103.
Confused Codes：
091510 - Nutmeg, neither crushed nor ground
Neither crushed nor ground nutmeg is whole or broken but not ground, while ground nutmeg is in powder form; the two differ only in processing state.
090611 - Cinnamon, neither crushed nor ground
Cinnamon is a different plant, with different appearance, odor and use, and must not be confused.
090831 - Cardamoms, neither crushed nor ground
Cardamoms are plants of a different genus, with smaller grains and different flavor, and are classified under different subheadings.
210390 - Other seasonings
If ground nutmeg is mixed with other ingredients into a seasoning, it is classified under 2103, not 0915.
Self-Check：
✓ Has it been confirmed that the commodity is nutmeg rather than other cardamoms?
✓ Has it undergone grinding processing?
✓ Have other substances been added?
✓ Is the packaging for retail sale?
✓ Is the use for food seasoning?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between ground nutmeg and nutmeg neither crushed nor ground? Ground nutmeg is classified under 091520, and neither crushed nor ground is classified under 091510. The difference lies in whether it has been ground; after grinding it becomes powder, convenient for direct use. When declaring, the processing method must be clearly stated. How can I check the import tariff rate for ground nutmeg? You can check the latest tariff rate, value-added tax and consumption tax by entering HS code 091520 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or third-party query platforms. Tariff rates may change, and the latest official publication should prevail. What elements need attention when declaring ground nutmeg? It is necessary to declare product name, brand, processing method, state, ingredient content, packaging specifications and use. Emphasis should be placed on the "ground" state to avoid confusion with neither crushed nor ground. If additives are contained, the ingredients must be stated. Can ground nutmeg be classified under 2103? If ground nutmeg is pure and not mixed with other substances, it should be classified under 091520. If it is mixed with other spices into a seasoning, it is classified under 2103. The key is whether it is mixed. For cross-border e-commerce sales of ground nutmeg, how is the HS code determined? For ground nutmeg sold in cross-border e-commerce retail, if it is pure nutmeg powder, it is still classified under 091520. Attention should be paid to packaging specifications and use; if it is small-package retail, this must be stated in the declaration. What are the regulatory conditions for ground nutmeg? Import must comply with national food safety standards, and may require certificates of origin, health certificates, test reports, etc. Specific regulatory conditions vary by country; it is advisable to consult a customs broker or customs authority. If a small amount of anti-caking agent is mixed into ground nutmeg, will the code change? If the anti-caking agent is added to maintain powder flowability and does not change the essential character, it is usually still classified under 091520. However, if the amount added is large or the use is changed, it may be classified under other headings. It is advisable to declare the ingredients truthfully. How can I check the export tax rebate for ground nutmeg? The export tax rebate rate can be checked through the State Taxation Administration or the General Administration of Customs by entering HS code 091520. The rebate rate may be adjusted, and the latest policy should prevail.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between ground nutmeg and nutmeg neither crushed nor ground?
A: Ground nutmeg is classified under 091520, and neither crushed nor ground is classified under 091510. The difference lies in whether it has been ground; after grinding it becomes powder, convenient for direct use. When declaring, the processing method must be clearly stated.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for ground nutmeg?
A: You can check the latest tariff rate, value-added tax and consumption tax by entering HS code 091520 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or third-party query platforms. Tariff rates may change, and the latest official publication should prevail.
Q: What elements need attention when declaring ground nutmeg?
A: It is necessary to declare product name, brand, processing method, state, ingredient content, packaging specifications and use. Emphasis should be placed on the "ground" state to avoid confusion with neither crushed nor ground. If additives are contained, the ingredients must be stated.
Q: Can ground nutmeg be classified under 2103?
A: If ground nutmeg is pure and not mixed with other substances, it should be classified under 091520. If it is mixed with other spices into a seasoning, it is classified under 2103. The key is whether it is mixed.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of ground nutmeg, how is the HS code determined?
A: For ground nutmeg sold in cross-border e-commerce retail, if it is pure nutmeg powder, it is still classified under 091520. Attention should be paid to packaging specifications and use; if it is small-package retail, this must be stated in the declaration.
Q: What are the regulatory conditions for ground nutmeg?
A: Import must comply with national food safety standards, and may require certificates of origin, health certificates, test reports, etc. Specific regulatory conditions vary by country; it is advisable to consult a customs broker or customs authority.
Q: If a small amount of anti-caking agent is mixed into ground nutmeg, will the code change?
A: If the anti-caking agent is added to maintain powder flowability and does not change the essential character, it is usually still classified under 091520. However, if the amount added is large or the use is changed, it may be classified under other headings. It is advisable to declare the ingredients truthfully.
Q: How can I check the export tax rebate for ground nutmeg?
A: The export tax rebate rate can be checked through the State Taxation Administration or the General Administration of Customs by entering HS code 091520. The rebate rate may be adjusted, and the latest policy should prevail.
⚠️ 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.