Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices. It includes coffee beans and their products, various types of tea, maté, as well as natural spices such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc. These goods are mostly plant-derived and used for food seasoning, beverages or medicinal purposes, but this chapter does not include chemically synthesized separate compounds or essential oils. Heading 0920 covers other spices, not crushed or ground, i.e., other natural spices besides those specifically named such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc., and not crushed or ground. Common examples include coriander seeds, caraway, anise, star anise, turmeric, vanilla, etc., but note that only the uncrushed/unmilled state is covered; ground products are classified under other headings. The first 2 digits 09 represent Chapter 9: Coffee, tea, maté and spices. Digits 3-4, 20, represent heading 0920: Other spices, not crushed or ground, referring to spices not named in other headings of this chapter and not ground. Digits 5-6, 30, represent subheading 092030: further subdivided under heading 0920, specifically referring to other spices not crushed or ground, possibly subdivided based on use or source, but usually a residual subheading. The complete code 092030 refers to other spices, not crushed or ground, applicable to natural spices not elsewhere named and not ground. This product is classified under 092030 rather than adjacent codes for the following key reasons: first, it belongs to the spices of Chapter 9; second, it is in an unground state; third, it is an other spice not specifically named under heading 0920. If ground, it would be classified under the ground subheadings of 0904-0910; if it belongs to specifically named items such as pepper or chili, it would be classified under the corresponding heading. Therefore, only unground and unnamed spices are eligible for this code.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté and spices. It includes coffee beans and their products, various types of tea, maté, as well as natural spices such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc. These goods are mostly plant-derived and used for food seasoning, beverages or medicinal purposes, but this chapter does not include chemically synthesized separate compounds or essential oils.
Heading
Heading 0920 covers other spices, not crushed or ground, i.e., other natural spices besides those specifically named such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc., and not crushed or ground. Common examples include coriander seeds, caraway, anise, star anise, turmeric, vanilla, etc., but note that only the uncrushed/unmilled state is covered; ground products are classified under other headings.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 09 represent Chapter 9: Coffee, tea, maté and spices. Digits 3-4, 20, represent heading 0920: Other spices, not crushed or ground, referring to spices not named in other headings of this chapter and not ground. Digits 5-6, 30, represent subheading 092030: further subdivided under heading 0920, specifically referring to other spices not crushed or ground, possibly subdivided based on use or source, but usually a residual subheading. The complete code 092030 refers to other spices, not crushed or ground, applicable to natural spices not elsewhere named and not ground.
Classification Basis
This product is classified under 092030 rather than adjacent codes for the following key reasons: first, it belongs to the spices of Chapter 9; second, it is in an unground state; third, it is an other spice not specifically named under heading 0920. If ground, it would be classified under the ground subheadings of 0904-0910; if it belongs to specifically named items such as pepper or chili, it would be classified under the corresponding heading. Therefore, only unground and unnamed spices are eligible for this code.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared goods, such as star anise, coriander seeds, etc., which must correspond to the HS code. State: Clearly indicate whether it is unground, such as "unground", "whole", "intact", etc., to distinguish from ground or powdered form. Use: Explain the use, such as food seasoning, medicinal, industrial, etc., which affects classification and regulatory conditions. Composition: Main components or active ingredient content, such as volatile oil content, which may be required for certain spices. Packaging Specifications: Packaging method and specifications, such as bagged, boxed, weight per piece, etc., which affect inspection and statistics. Brand: Brand name (if any); if no brand, declare as "no brand". Origin: The country or region of origin of the goods, which affects tariffs and trade agreements. Customs declaration example:
Product Name: Star Anise
State: Unground, whole
Use: Food seasoning
Composition: Star anise essential oil content ≥80%
Packaging Specifications: 25 kg/bag
Brand: No brand
Origin: Vietnam
HS Code: 09203000 Incorrectly classifying ground spices under this code; they should be classified under ground subheadings. Ignoring the state description and only declaring the product name, leading to classification disputes. Incorrectly classifying specifically named spices (such as pepper) under this code.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared goods, such as star anise, coriander seeds, etc., which must correspond to the HS code.
⚠️ Using generic names such as "spices" without specifying the botanical name.
State
Clearly indicate whether it is unground, such as "unground", "whole", "intact", etc., to distinguish from ground or powdered form.
⚠️ Declaring ground products as unground, leading to classification errors.
Use
Explain the use, such as food seasoning, medicinal, industrial, etc., which affects classification and regulatory conditions.
⚠️ Vague use descriptions such as "edible", without distinguishing direct consumption from processing use.
Composition
Main components or active ingredient content, such as volatile oil content, which may be required for certain spices.
⚠️ Failure to provide composition information, leading to customs questioning the classification.
Packaging Specifications
Packaging method and specifications, such as bagged, boxed, weight per piece, etc., which affect inspection and statistics.
⚠️ Unclear packaging descriptions such as "packaged", without specifying material and specifications.
Brand
Brand name (if any); if no brand, declare as "no brand".
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer, or failing to declare the brand.
Origin
The country or region of origin of the goods, which affects tariffs and trade agreements.
⚠️ Incorrect declaration of origin, such as using a transit country as the origin.
Incorrectly classifying ground spices under this code; they should be classified under ground subheadings.
Ignoring the state description and only declaring the product name, leading to classification disputes.
Incorrectly classifying specifically named spices (such as pepper) under this code.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification criteria: first confirm the goods belong to the spices of Chapter 9; second confirm the unground state, i.e., not crushed or ground; third confirm they are not specifically named goods under headings 0904 to 0910 (such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, etc.); finally classify under heading 0920. If ground, classify according to the specific name or ground subheading. Also consider whether they are essential oils or extracts, which are classified under Chapter 33. 0904 Pepper; dried chili and chili powder: 0904 includes pepper and chili, whether or not ground. If the goods are pepper or chili, even if unground, they are classified under 0904, not 092030. 0905 Vanilla: 0905 specifically refers to vanilla (vanilla planifolia), whether or not ground. If it is vanilla, it is classified under 0905, not 092030. 0906 Cinnamon and cinnamon flowers: 0906 includes cinnamon, whether or not ground. If it is cinnamon, it is classified under 0906, not 092030. 0907 Cloves: 0907 includes cloves, whether or not ground. If it is cloves, it is classified under 0907, not 092030. 0908 Nutmeg, mace and cardamoms: 0908 includes nutmeg, etc., whether or not ground. If it is these spices, it is classified under 0908, not 092030. Does it belong to the spices of Chapter 9? Is it not crushed or ground? Is it not specifically named under 0904-0910? Is it not an essential oil or extract? Are the state and use accurately described?
Basis
Core classification criteria: first confirm the goods belong to the spices of Chapter 9; second confirm the unground state, i.e., not crushed or ground; third confirm they are not specifically named goods under headings 0904 to 0910 (such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, etc.); finally classify under heading 0920. If ground, classify according to the specific name or ground subheading. Also consider whether they are essential oils or extracts, which are classified under Chapter 33.
Confused Codes：
0904 - Pepper; dried chili and chili powder
0904 includes pepper and chili, whether or not ground. If the goods are pepper or chili, even if unground, they are classified under 0904, not 092030.
0905 - Vanilla
0905 specifically refers to vanilla (vanilla planifolia), whether or not ground. If it is vanilla, it is classified under 0905, not 092030.
0906 - Cinnamon and cinnamon flowers
0906 includes cinnamon, whether or not ground. If it is cinnamon, it is classified under 0906, not 092030.
0907 - Cloves
0907 includes cloves, whether or not ground. If it is cloves, it is classified under 0907, not 092030.
0908 - Nutmeg, mace and cardamoms
0908 includes nutmeg, etc., whether or not ground. If it is these spices, it is classified under 0908, not 092030.
Self-Check：
✓ Does it belong to the spices of Chapter 9?
✓ Is it not crushed or ground?
✓ Is it not specifically named under 0904-0910?
✓ Is it not an essential oil or extract?
✓ Are the state and use accurately described?
❓ FAQ
How to check the tax rate for HS code 092030? You can check the latest tax rate by entering the code on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or professional query tools. Note that tax rates may change due to country and trade agreements; it is recommended to refer to the latest official publication. What is the difference in classification between other spices, not crushed or ground, and ground spices? Unground spices are classified under heading 0920, while ground spices are classified under the ground subheadings of specifically named headings (such as the ground subheadings of 0904-0910) or heading 0910. The grinding state is the key distinction. Which HS code should star anise be classified under? Star anise belongs to other spices, not crushed or ground, and should be classified under 092030. If ground, it is classified under 0910 (other spices, ground). Be careful not to confuse it with 0909 (anise, star anise); 0909 includes star anise, but is it limited to unground? Actually, 0909 includes star anise, whether or not ground? Need to verify: 0909 is anise, star anise, fennel, etc., including unground or ground. Therefore, star anise should be classified under 0909, not 092030. Which common spices are easily misclassified under 092030? Such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc. These have specifically named headings, and even if unground, they should be classified under the corresponding headings, not 092030. What should be noted in the state description when declaring? Must clearly state "unground", such as "whole", "intact", "unmilled". If it is powder or crushed granules, it may be considered ground and classified under other codes. If a spice is both unground and specifically named, how should it be classified? It should be classified under the specifically named heading, such as pepper under 0904, cinnamon under 0906, not 092030. 092030 is a residual heading, applicable only to other spices not elsewhere named. How to correctly use HS codes for cross-border e-commerce sales of spices? The code must be determined based on the actual state and variety of the goods. Unground and unnamed spices use 092030; ground or named spices use the corresponding code. Accurate declaration helps with customs clearance and compliance. What is the difference between 092030 and 0910? 092030 is other spices, not crushed or ground, and 0910 is other spices, crushed or ground. The difference lies in whether they are ground: unground uses 092030, ground uses 0910.
Q: How to check the tax rate for HS code 092030?
A: You can check the latest tax rate by entering the code on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or professional query tools. Note that tax rates may change due to country and trade agreements; it is recommended to refer to the latest official publication.
Q: What is the difference in classification between other spices, not crushed or ground, and ground spices?
A: Unground spices are classified under heading 0920, while ground spices are classified under the ground subheadings of specifically named headings (such as the ground subheadings of 0904-0910) or heading 0910. The grinding state is the key distinction.
Q: Which HS code should star anise be classified under?
A: Star anise belongs to other spices, not crushed or ground, and should be classified under 092030. If ground, it is classified under 0910 (other spices, ground). Be careful not to confuse it with 0909 (anise, star anise); 0909 includes star anise, but is it limited to unground? Actually, 0909 includes star anise, whether or not ground? Need to verify: 0909 is anise, star anise, fennel, etc., including unground or ground. Therefore, star anise should be classified under 0909, not 092030.
Q: Which common spices are easily misclassified under 092030?
A: Such as pepper, chili, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc. These have specifically named headings, and even if unground, they should be classified under the corresponding headings, not 092030.
Q: What should be noted in the state description when declaring?
A: Must clearly state "unground", such as "whole", "intact", "unmilled". If it is powder or crushed granules, it may be considered ground and classified under other codes.
Q: If a spice is both unground and specifically named, how should it be classified?
A: It should be classified under the specifically named heading, such as pepper under 0904, cinnamon under 0906, not 092030. 092030 is a residual heading, applicable only to other spices not elsewhere named.
Q: How to correctly use HS codes for cross-border e-commerce sales of spices?
A: The code must be determined based on the actual state and variety of the goods. Unground and unnamed spices use 092030; ground or named spices use the corresponding code. Accurate declaration helps with customs clearance and compliance.
Q: What is the difference between 092030 and 0910?
A: 092030 is other spices, not crushed or ground, and 0910 is other spices, crushed or ground. The difference lies in whether they are ground: unground uses 092030, ground uses 0910.
⚠️ 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.