Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices. This chapter includes coffee beans, ground coffee, tea, maté, pepper, chili peppers, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and other natural spices, as well as certain mixed seasonings. These goods are mostly of plant origin and are mainly used as food flavorings or beverage ingredients. The headings within the chapter are divided according to variety and degree of processing, such as unground and ground spices being classified under different subheadings. Heading 0918 covers spices not elsewhere specified, including cardamom (nutmeg, lesser cardamom, etc.), star anise, fennel, coriander, cumin, etc. Goods under this heading may be whole, crushed or ground, but unground and ground are usually classified under separate subheadings. Heading 0918 includes Elettaria, Amomum, etc., but attention must be paid to distinguishing them from 0906 (cinnamon), 0907 (cloves), etc. First 2 digits 09: indicates Chapter 9, coffee, tea, maté and spices. Digits 3-4, 18: indicates heading 0918, other spices, including cardamom, star anise, fennel, etc. Digits 5-6, 10: indicates subheading 091810, unground cardamom. Here 'unground' means not crushed or ground, remaining whole or crushed, as distinguished from ground cardamom (091820). This code applies only to the fruits of Elettaria or Amomum, and does not include other similar spices. This product is unground cardamom, a natural spice that has not been ground, and is therefore classified under 091810. If it were ground, it would be classified under 091820. If it were another spice such as pepper, it would be classified under 0904; if it were a mixed seasoning, it would be classified under 0910. Whole fruits or crushed but unground cardamom are all covered by this code.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices. This chapter includes coffee beans, ground coffee, tea, maté, pepper, chili peppers, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and other natural spices, as well as certain mixed seasonings. These goods are mostly of plant origin and are mainly used as food flavorings or beverage ingredients. The headings within the chapter are divided according to variety and degree of processing, such as unground and ground spices being classified under different subheadings.
Heading
Heading 0918 covers spices not elsewhere specified, including cardamom (nutmeg, lesser cardamom, etc.), star anise, fennel, coriander, cumin, etc. Goods under this heading may be whole, crushed or ground, but unground and ground are usually classified under separate subheadings. Heading 0918 includes Elettaria, Amomum, etc., but attention must be paid to distinguishing them from 0906 (cinnamon), 0907 (cloves), etc.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 09: indicates Chapter 9, coffee, tea, maté and spices. Digits 3-4, 18: indicates heading 0918, other spices, including cardamom, star anise, fennel, etc. Digits 5-6, 10: indicates subheading 091810, unground cardamom. Here 'unground' means not crushed or ground, remaining whole or crushed, as distinguished from ground cardamom (091820). This code applies only to the fruits of Elettaria or Amomum, and does not include other similar spices.
Classification Basis
This product is unground cardamom, a natural spice that has not been ground, and is therefore classified under 091810. If it were ground, it would be classified under 091820. If it were another spice such as pepper, it would be classified under 0904; if it were a mixed seasoning, it would be classified under 0910. Whole fruits or crushed but unground cardamom are all covered by this code.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared goods, such as 'cardamom' or 'lesser cardamom', and the standard Chinese name should be used. Processing state: Indicate whether it has been ground, such as 'unground', 'whole', 'crushed but unground', etc. Use: Explain the final use of the cardamom, such as food flavoring, medicinal use, industrial use, etc. Brand: If there is a brand, the brand name must be declared; if there is no brand, 'none' may be filled in. Specifications: Declare the specifications of the cardamom, such as granule size, packaging specifications, etc. Origin: Declare the country or region of origin of the cardamom, such as India, Guatemala, etc. Ingredient content: Declare the purity or active ingredient content of the cardamom, such as volatile oil content. Product name: cardamom (lesser cardamom); Processing state: unground, whole fruit; Use: food flavoring; Brand: none; Specifications: 25 kg per bag; Origin: India; Ingredient content: volatile oil content >= 4%. Mistakenly classifying unground cardamom under the ground cardamom subheading 091820. Confusing cardamom with nutmeg; nutmeg should be classified under 0908. Ignoring the declaration of processing state, leading to classification disputes.
Product name
The specific name of the declared goods, such as 'cardamom' or 'lesser cardamom', and the standard Chinese name should be used.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing it as 'nutmeg' or 'dried ginger cardamom', leading to classification errors.
Processing state
Indicate whether it has been ground, such as 'unground', 'whole', 'crushed but unground', etc.
⚠️ Declaring crushed but unground cardamom as 'ground'.
Use
Explain the final use of the cardamom, such as food flavoring, medicinal use, industrial use, etc.
⚠️ Vaguely filling in 'food use' without distinguishing the specific use.
Brand
If there is a brand, the brand name must be declared; if there is no brand, 'none' may be filled in.
⚠️ Ignoring brand declaration, resulting in omission.
Specifications
Declare the specifications of the cardamom, such as granule size, packaging specifications, etc.
⚠️ Failing to declare according to actual specifications, such as confusing 'large granules' with 'small granules'.
Origin
Declare the country or region of origin of the cardamom, such as India, Guatemala, etc.
⚠️ Confusing the place of origin with the place of shipment.
Ingredient content
Declare the purity or active ingredient content of the cardamom, such as volatile oil content.
⚠️ Failing to provide ingredient content, affecting classification.
Mistakenly classifying unground cardamom under the ground cardamom subheading 091820.
Confusing cardamom with nutmeg; nutmeg should be classified under 0908.
Ignoring the declaration of processing state, leading to classification disputes.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the actual state and variety of the goods. Cardamom must be the fruit of Elettaria or Amomum and must not be ground. If it has been ground, it is classified under 091820. If it is another spice such as pepper or chili pepper, it is classified under 0904. If it is a mixed seasoning, it is classified under 0910. At the same time, attention must be paid to the difference from 0908 (nutmeg); nutmeg belongs to Myristica, which is different from cardamom. 0908 Nutmeg: Nutmeg belongs to Myristica, while cardamom belongs to Elettaria or Amomum; their botanical classifications differ, and 0908 includes nutmeg, mace, etc. 091820 Ground cardamom: 091820 is ground cardamom, that is, cardamom ground into powder, while 091810 is unground cardamom, remaining whole or crushed. 0910 Mixed seasonings: 0910 is mixed seasonings, such as curry powder, etc., while 091810 is single unground cardamom not mixed with other spices. 0904 Pepper: Pepper belongs to Piper and is different from cardamom, and 0904 includes pepper, chili peppers, etc., while 091810 refers only to cardamom. Confirm whether the product is Elettaria or Amomum. Confirm whether it has been ground. Confirm whether it has been mixed with other spices. Confirm whether it is used for flavoring or medicinal purposes. Confirm whether the origin and brand information are complete.
Basis
The core basis for classification is the actual state and variety of the goods. Cardamom must be the fruit of Elettaria or Amomum and must not be ground. If it has been ground, it is classified under 091820. If it is another spice such as pepper or chili pepper, it is classified under 0904. If it is a mixed seasoning, it is classified under 0910. At the same time, attention must be paid to the difference from 0908 (nutmeg); nutmeg belongs to Myristica, which is different from cardamom.
Confused Codes：
0908 - Nutmeg
Nutmeg belongs to Myristica, while cardamom belongs to Elettaria or Amomum; their botanical classifications differ, and 0908 includes nutmeg, mace, etc.
091820 - Ground cardamom
091820 is ground cardamom, that is, cardamom ground into powder, while 091810 is unground cardamom, remaining whole or crushed.
0910 - Mixed seasonings
0910 is mixed seasonings, such as curry powder, etc., while 091810 is single unground cardamom not mixed with other spices.
0904 - Pepper
Pepper belongs to Piper and is different from cardamom, and 0904 includes pepper, chili peppers, etc., while 091810 refers only to cardamom.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm whether the product is Elettaria or Amomum.
✓ Confirm whether it has been ground.
✓ Confirm whether it has been mixed with other spices.
✓ Confirm whether it is used for flavoring or medicinal purposes.
✓ Confirm whether the origin and brand information are complete.
❓ FAQ
How do you distinguish unground cardamom from ground cardamom? Unground cardamom remains in whole fruit or crushed form and has not been ground into powder; ground cardamom has been ground into powder. According to HS codes, unground is classified under 091810, and ground is classified under 091820. The processing state must be accurately declared during customs declaration. What is the difference between cardamom and nutmeg in HS codes? Cardamom (lesser cardamom) is classified under 091810 (unground) or 091820 (ground), while nutmeg is classified under 0908. The two have different botanical classifications: cardamom belongs to Elettaria or Amomum, and nutmeg belongs to Myristica. Standard names must be used during declaration to avoid confusion. If cardamom is mixed with other spices, how should it be classified? If cardamom is mixed with other spices and constitutes a mixed seasoning, it should be classified under 0910. However, if it is mainly cardamom and is not mixed with other spices, it is still classified under 091810. The classification of mixed seasonings must be determined based on ingredients and use. What declaration elements are required when declaring unground cardamom? Product name, processing state, use, brand, specifications, origin, ingredient content, etc. are required. The processing state must be clearly stated as 'unground', and the use must be specific, such as food flavoring. Brand and origin must be declared truthfully. How can the tariff rate for unground cardamom be checked? Tariff rates may change. The latest rates can be checked through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. The accurate HS code 091810 must be used when checking. Which HS code should be used for cross-border e-commerce sales of cardamom? If unground cardamom is sold, 091810 should be used. If it is ground cardamom, 091820 should be used. Cross-border e-commerce requires accurate declaration to avoid customs clearance problems caused by classification errors. Does the origin of cardamom affect the HS code? The HS code is mainly determined by the variety and processing state of the goods, and origin does not affect the code. However, origin may affect tariff rates and trade agreement preferences, and a certificate of origin must be provided during declaration. How can cardamom classification errors be avoided? First confirm whether the product belongs to Elettaria or Amomum, then confirm whether it has been ground, and finally confirm whether it has been mixed with other spices. If there are doubts, consult customs or a professional classification agency.
Q: How do you distinguish unground cardamom from ground cardamom?
A: Unground cardamom remains in whole fruit or crushed form and has not been ground into powder; ground cardamom has been ground into powder. According to HS codes, unground is classified under 091810, and ground is classified under 091820. The processing state must be accurately declared during customs declaration.
Q: What is the difference between cardamom and nutmeg in HS codes?
A: Cardamom (lesser cardamom) is classified under 091810 (unground) or 091820 (ground), while nutmeg is classified under 0908. The two have different botanical classifications: cardamom belongs to Elettaria or Amomum, and nutmeg belongs to Myristica. Standard names must be used during declaration to avoid confusion.
Q: If cardamom is mixed with other spices, how should it be classified?
A: If cardamom is mixed with other spices and constitutes a mixed seasoning, it should be classified under 0910. However, if it is mainly cardamom and is not mixed with other spices, it is still classified under 091810. The classification of mixed seasonings must be determined based on ingredients and use.
Q: What declaration elements are required when declaring unground cardamom?
A: Product name, processing state, use, brand, specifications, origin, ingredient content, etc. are required. The processing state must be clearly stated as 'unground', and the use must be specific, such as food flavoring. Brand and origin must be declared truthfully.
Q: How can the tariff rate for unground cardamom be checked?
A: Tariff rates may change. The latest rates can be checked through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. The accurate HS code 091810 must be used when checking.
Q: Which HS code should be used for cross-border e-commerce sales of cardamom?
A: If unground cardamom is sold, 091810 should be used. If it is ground cardamom, 091820 should be used. Cross-border e-commerce requires accurate declaration to avoid customs clearance problems caused by classification errors.
Q: Does the origin of cardamom affect the HS code?
A: The HS code is mainly determined by the variety and processing state of the goods, and origin does not affect the code. However, origin may affect tariff rates and trade agreement preferences, and a certificate of origin must be provided during declaration.
Q: How can cardamom classification errors be avoided?
A: First confirm whether the product belongs to Elettaria or Amomum, then confirm whether it has been ground, and finally confirm whether it has been mixed with other spices. If there are doubts, consult customs or a professional classification agency.
⚠️ 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.