Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices, including natural spices, spice mixtures and certain processed products. This chapter is divided into four sections: coffee, tea, maté, pepper, chili, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, anise, etc. Anise, as an important flavoring spice, is classified under different headings according to its degree of processing. Heading 0919 covers anise, star anise, fennel, coriander, caraway, dill and similar spices, whether or not crushed or ground. Specifically includes: aniseed, star anise, fennel, coriander, caraway, dill seed, juniper berries, etc. This heading distinguishes between neither crushed nor ground and crushed or ground; ground spices are classified under 0919.20. First 2 digits 09 = chapter, indicating coffee, tea, spices. Digits 3-4: 19 = heading, indicating anise, star anise, fennel, coriander, caraway, dill, etc. Digits 5-6: 20 = subheading, indicating the above spices crushed or ground. Code 091920 refers to ground anise, specifically the powder made by grinding the fruit of plants of the genus Foeniculum. The product is fennel fruit ground into powder, belonging to ground spices. Since fennel is specifically named in heading 0919, and the ground state corresponds to subheading 0919.20, it is classified under this code. Whole fennel is classified under 0919.10; other headings such as 0909 (coriander, etc.) do not cover fennel.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices, including natural spices, spice mixtures and certain processed products. This chapter is divided into four sections: coffee, tea, maté, pepper, chili, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, anise, etc. Anise, as an important flavoring spice, is classified under different headings according to its degree of processing.
Heading
Heading 0919 covers anise, star anise, fennel, coriander, caraway, dill and similar spices, whether or not crushed or ground. Specifically includes: aniseed, star anise, fennel, coriander, caraway, dill seed, juniper berries, etc. This heading distinguishes between neither crushed nor ground and crushed or ground; ground spices are classified under 0919.20.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 09 = chapter, indicating coffee, tea, spices. Digits 3-4: 19 = heading, indicating anise, star anise, fennel, coriander, caraway, dill, etc. Digits 5-6: 20 = subheading, indicating the above spices crushed or ground. Code 091920 refers to ground anise, specifically the powder made by grinding the fruit of plants of the genus Foeniculum.
Classification Basis
The product is fennel fruit ground into powder, belonging to ground spices. Since fennel is specifically named in heading 0919, and the ground state corresponds to subheading 0919.20, it is classified under this code. Whole fennel is classified under 0919.10; other headings such as 0909 (coriander, etc.) do not cover fennel.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, which should include the processing state, such as 'ground fennel' or 'fennel powder'. Brand Type: Fill in the brand name or 'no brand', used for customs intellectual property protection and statistics. Composition Content: Indicate the fennel content and whether other substances are added, such as 100% fennel or mixed spices. Processing Method: Describe the grinding process, such as 'ground into powder', to distinguish between whole and ground. Packaging Specifications: Fill in the packaging form and net weight, such as '25 kg/bag' or '1 kg/bottle'. Use: Explain the use, such as 'food seasoning' or 'industrial raw material', used for determining regulatory conditions. Product Name: Ground fennel (fennel powder); Brand Type: No brand; Composition Content: Fennel 100%; Processing Method: Dried and ground into powder; Packaging Specifications: 25 kg/bag; Use: Food seasoning; Country of Origin: India; Trade Mode: General trade. Whole fennel and ground fennel are classified differently; mistakenly declaring whole as ground. Confusing fennel with star anise; although they are in the same heading, they are in different subheadings. If mixed spices contain fennel, they should be classified according to the main component or use, and cannot simply be classified under 091920.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, which should include the processing state, such as 'ground fennel' or 'fennel powder'.
⚠️ Declaring only 'fennel' without indicating it is ground, leading to classification errors.
Brand Type
Fill in the brand name or 'no brand', used for customs intellectual property protection and statistics.
⚠️ Declaring brand type as 'other' without specific explanation.
Composition Content
Indicate the fennel content and whether other substances are added, such as 100% fennel or mixed spices.
⚠️ Not indicating whether it is mixed, incorrectly declaring it as pure fennel.
Processing Method
Describe the grinding process, such as 'ground into powder', to distinguish between whole and ground.
⚠️ Writing vaguely 'processed', making it impossible to determine whether it is ground.
Packaging Specifications
Fill in the packaging form and net weight, such as '25 kg/bag' or '1 kg/bottle'.
⚠️ Not indicating net weight, affecting the declaration of unit of measurement.
Use
Explain the use, such as 'food seasoning' or 'industrial raw material', used for determining regulatory conditions.
⚠️ Declaring use as 'food' but actually for industrial use, leading to incorrect regulatory documents.
Example： Product Name: Ground fennel (fennel powder); Brand Type: No brand; Composition Content: Fennel 100%; Processing Method: Dried and ground into powder; Packaging Specifications: 25 kg/bag; Use: Food seasoning; Country of Origin: India; Trade Mode: General trade.
Common Mistakes：
Whole fennel and ground fennel are classified differently; mistakenly declaring whole as ground.
Confusing fennel with star anise; although they are in the same heading, they are in different subheadings.
If mixed spices contain fennel, they should be classified according to the main component or use, and cannot simply be classified under 091920.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1. The product is the fruit of plants of the genus Foeniculum; 2. The state is ground (powder); 3. Not mixed with other substances or, if mixed, still retains the essential character of fennel. According to GIR 1 and 6, classified under 091920 by specific name. 091910 Whole fennel: Different processing state; whole fennel is classified under 091910, ground under 091920. 090961 Whole star anise: Star anise is a plant of the Magnoliaceae family, different from fennel, classified under 0909. 090962 Ground star anise: Ground star anise is classified under 090962 and must not be confused with 091920. 091099 Other spices: Other spices not elsewhere specified are classified under 091099; fennel is specifically named. Is the product the fruit of plants of the genus Foeniculum? Has it been ground into powder? Is it mixed with other substances? Is it used for seasoning rather than industrial extraction? Is the packaging suitable for retail sale?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1. The product is the fruit of plants of the genus Foeniculum; 2. The state is ground (powder); 3. Not mixed with other substances or, if mixed, still retains the essential character of fennel. According to GIR 1 and 6, classified under 091920 by specific name.
Confused Codes：
091910 - Whole fennel
Different processing state; whole fennel is classified under 091910, ground under 091920.
090961 - Whole star anise
Star anise is a plant of the Magnoliaceae family, different from fennel, classified under 0909.
090962 - Ground star anise
Ground star anise is classified under 090962 and must not be confused with 091920.
091099 - Other spices
Other spices not elsewhere specified are classified under 091099; fennel is specifically named.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the product the fruit of plants of the genus Foeniculum?
✓ Has it been ground into powder?
✓ Is it mixed with other substances?
✓ Is it used for seasoning rather than industrial extraction?
✓ Is the packaging suitable for retail sale?
❓ FAQ
How to look up the HS code for ground fennel? You can use the customs tariff or HS code query websites, enter the keyword 'fennel', filter the processing state as 'ground', and you will get 091920. What is the difference between ground fennel and whole fennel when declaring? When declaring, the processing method must be clearly stated. Whole fennel is classified under 091910, ground under 091920. The tax rates may differ, so accurate declaration is required. Are fennel and star anise the same commodity? No. Fennel belongs to the Apiaceae family, genus Foeniculum; star anise belongs to the Magnoliaceae family, genus Illicium. Their HS codes are different: fennel is classified under 0919, star anise under 0909. What regulatory documents are required for importing ground fennel? Edible ground fennel usually requires an animal and plant quarantine permit and must comply with national food safety standards. Specific documents can be queried on the website of the General Administration of Customs. How to classify mixed spices containing ground fennel? If fennel is the main component of the mixed spices and the essential character of fennel is not changed, it can still be classified under 091920; if it is a complex mixture, it may be classified under 2103. How is the tariff rate for ground fennel determined? The tariff rate depends on the country of origin and trade agreements. You can check the customs tariff or consult a customs broker. MFN rates, agreement rates, etc. should be applied according to specific circumstances. What should be noted for cross-border e-commerce retail of ground fennel? Attention should be paid to packaging labels meeting requirements, providing certificate of origin, and confirming whether it is on the cross-border e-commerce retail import list.
Q: How to look up the HS code for ground fennel?
A: You can use the customs tariff or HS code query websites, enter the keyword 'fennel', filter the processing state as 'ground', and you will get 091920.
Q: What is the difference between ground fennel and whole fennel when declaring?
A: When declaring, the processing method must be clearly stated. Whole fennel is classified under 091910, ground under 091920. The tax rates may differ, so accurate declaration is required.
Q: Are fennel and star anise the same commodity?
A: No. Fennel belongs to the Apiaceae family, genus Foeniculum; star anise belongs to the Magnoliaceae family, genus Illicium. Their HS codes are different: fennel is classified under 0919, star anise under 0909.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for importing ground fennel?
A: Edible ground fennel usually requires an animal and plant quarantine permit and must comply with national food safety standards. Specific documents can be queried on the website of the General Administration of Customs.
Q: How to classify mixed spices containing ground fennel?
A: If fennel is the main component of the mixed spices and the essential character of fennel is not changed, it can still be classified under 091920; if it is a complex mixture, it may be classified under 2103.
Q: How is the tariff rate for ground fennel determined?
A: The tariff rate depends on the country of origin and trade agreements. You can check the customs tariff or consult a customs broker. MFN rates, agreement rates, etc. should be applied according to specific circumstances.
Q: What should be noted for cross-border e-commerce retail of ground fennel?
A: Attention should be paid to packaging labels meeting requirements, providing certificate of origin, and confirming whether it is on the cross-border e-commerce retail import list.
⚠️ 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.