Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté, and spices, including unground and ground spices. This chapter mainly includes coffee beans, tea leaves, pepper, chili peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc., as well as processed products of these goods such as ground spices. However, this chapter does not include mustard powder (heading 12.08), hops (heading 12.10), or essential oils (Chapter 33). Heading 0920 covers ground pepper, chili peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and other spices, as well as mixed spices. However, note that this heading does not include unground spices (classified under the corresponding subheadings of headings 0901 to 0910) or specific varieties of individual spices. In practice, 0920 is a general designation for ground other spices, with specific subheadings divided by spice type. The first 2 digits 09 represent Chapter 9: Coffee, tea, maté, and spices. Digits 3-4, 20, represent heading 0920: ground pepper, chili peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and other spices. Digits 5-6, 40, represent subheading 092040: ground other spices, i.e., ground spices not elsewhere specified, such as ground ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, etc. Note that under heading 0920 there are also subheadings 092010 (ground pepper), 092020 (ground chili peppers), 092030 (ground vanilla), 092040 (ground other spices), etc. This product is ground other spices, not specifically named under subheadings 092010 to 092030, and is therefore classified under 092040. If it were unground spices, it would be classified under the corresponding subheadings of 0901 to 0910. If it were mixed spices, it would be classified under 0910. If it were a single spice but ground, it would be classified under the corresponding subheading of 0920 according to the specific variety.
Chapter
Chapter 09 covers coffee, tea, maté, and spices, including unground and ground spices. This chapter mainly includes coffee beans, tea leaves, pepper, chili peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc., as well as processed products of these goods such as ground spices. However, this chapter does not include mustard powder (heading 12.08), hops (heading 12.10), or essential oils (Chapter 33).
Heading
Heading 0920 covers ground pepper, chili peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and other spices, as well as mixed spices. However, note that this heading does not include unground spices (classified under the corresponding subheadings of headings 0901 to 0910) or specific varieties of individual spices. In practice, 0920 is a general designation for ground other spices, with specific subheadings divided by spice type.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 09 represent Chapter 9: Coffee, tea, maté, and spices. Digits 3-4, 20, represent heading 0920: ground pepper, chili peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and other spices. Digits 5-6, 40, represent subheading 092040: ground other spices, i.e., ground spices not elsewhere specified, such as ground ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, etc. Note that under heading 0920 there are also subheadings 092010 (ground pepper), 092020 (ground chili peppers), 092030 (ground vanilla), 092040 (ground other spices), etc.
Classification Basis
This product is ground other spices, not specifically named under subheadings 092010 to 092030, and is therefore classified under 092040. If it were unground spices, it would be classified under the corresponding subheadings of 0901 to 0910. If it were mixed spices, it would be classified under 0910. If it were a single spice but ground, it would be classified under the corresponding subheading of 0920 according to the specific variety.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared product, such as "ground ginger powder," "ground turmeric powder," etc. Processing method: Indicate whether it is ground, such as "ground," "powdered," etc. Ingredients: Indicate whether it is a single spice or a mixed spice, as well as the specific ingredients. Brand: Declare the brand name; if there is no brand, indicate "no brand." Packaging specifications: Declare the packaging method and specifications, such as "25kg/bag." Use: Explain the use, such as "for food seasoning." Product name: ground ginger powder; Processing method: ground; Ingredients: 100% ginger; Brand: no brand; Packaging specifications: 25kg/bag; Use: for food seasoning. Declaring unground spices as ground, resulting in incorrect coding. Mixed spices are not classified as mixed spices and are incorrectly classified under a single-spice subheading. Ignoring the specific variety and directly classifying under 092040, when it may actually belong to 092010, etc.
Product name
The specific name of the declared product, such as "ground ginger powder," "ground turmeric powder," etc.
⚠️ Declaring only "spices" or "seasonings" without specifying the variety.
Processing method
Indicate whether it is ground, such as "ground," "powdered," etc.
⚠️ Failing to indicate that it is ground, resulting in classification as unground spices.
Ingredients
Indicate whether it is a single spice or a mixed spice, as well as the specific ingredients.
⚠️ Mixed spices are incorrectly declared as a single spice.
Brand
Declare the brand name; if there is no brand, indicate "no brand."
⚠️ The brand does not match the actual product or is omitted.
Packaging specifications
Declare the packaging method and specifications, such as "25kg/bag."
Declaring unground spices as ground, resulting in incorrect coding.
Mixed spices are not classified as mixed spices and are incorrectly classified under a single-spice subheading.
Ignoring the specific variety and directly classifying under 092040, when it may actually belong to 092010, etc.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1. Whether the product belongs to the spices of Chapter 9; 2. Whether it is ground; 3. Whether it is a specifically named spice (such as pepper, chili peppers, vanilla) or another spice; 4. Whether it is a mixed spice. If it is ground other spices, it is classified under 092040. 0904 Unground pepper: Unground pepper is classified under 0904, while ground pepper is classified under 092010. 0905 Unground vanilla: Unground vanilla is classified under 0905, while ground vanilla is classified under 092030. 0910 Mixed spices: Mixed spices are classified under 0910, while ground single other spices are classified under 092040. 1211 Plants mainly used for perfumery, pharmacy, etc.: 1211 includes unground plants, but ground spices are generally classified under Chapter 9. Confirm whether the product falls within the scope of Chapter 9 spices. Confirm whether it is ground. Confirm whether it is specifically named under other subheadings of 0920. Confirm whether it is a single spice or a mixed spice. Confirm whether it has undergone further processing (such as extraction of essential oils).
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1. Whether the product belongs to the spices of Chapter 9; 2. Whether it is ground; 3. Whether it is a specifically named spice (such as pepper, chili peppers, vanilla) or another spice; 4. Whether it is a mixed spice. If it is ground other spices, it is classified under 092040.
Confused Codes：
0904 - Unground pepper
Unground pepper is classified under 0904, while ground pepper is classified under 092010.
0905 - Unground vanilla
Unground vanilla is classified under 0905, while ground vanilla is classified under 092030.
0910 - Mixed spices
Mixed spices are classified under 0910, while ground single other spices are classified under 092040.
1211 - Plants mainly used for perfumery, pharmacy, etc.
1211 includes unground plants, but ground spices are generally classified under Chapter 9.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm whether the product falls within the scope of Chapter 9 spices.
✓ Confirm whether it is ground.
✓ Confirm whether it is specifically named under other subheadings of 0920.
✓ Confirm whether it is a single spice or a mixed spice.
✓ Confirm whether it has undergone further processing (such as extraction of essential oils).
❓ FAQ
How can I check the tariff rate for HS code 092040? It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or professional databases. Tariff rates may change due to country, trade agreements, etc., and the latest published rates should be used. What is the difference in classification between ground other spices and unground other spices? Ground other spices are classified under 092040, while unground other spices are classified under 0910 (other spices) or the unground subheading of the specific variety. The processing method is the key distinguishing point. Which code should mixed spices be classified under? Mixed spices should be classified under 0910, not 092040. 092040 applies only to ground single other spices. Which code should ground ginger powder be classified under? Ginger powder belongs to ground other spices; if not specifically named, it should be classified under 092040. However, it is necessary to confirm whether it belongs to mixed spices under 0910. What elements need attention when declaring? It is necessary to declare the product name, processing method, ingredients, brand, packaging specifications, use, etc., ensuring consistency with the actual goods to avoid classification errors. If spices have undergone further processing, such as extraction of essential oils, how should they be classified? Extracted essential oils should be classified under Chapter 33, not Chapter 9. Chapter 9 only includes directly ground spices. For cross-border e-commerce sales of ground spices, how should the HS code be determined? Determine according to the type of spice and processing method. Single ground spices are classified by specific variety, other ground spices are classified under 092040, and mixed spices are classified under 0910. What is the difference between 092040 and 0910? 092040 is ground other single spices, while 0910 is mixed spices, including unground or ground mixed spices.
Q: How can I check the tariff rate for HS code 092040?
A: It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or professional databases. Tariff rates may change due to country, trade agreements, etc., and the latest published rates should be used.
Q: What is the difference in classification between ground other spices and unground other spices?
A: Ground other spices are classified under 092040, while unground other spices are classified under 0910 (other spices) or the unground subheading of the specific variety. The processing method is the key distinguishing point.
Q: Which code should mixed spices be classified under?
A: Mixed spices should be classified under 0910, not 092040. 092040 applies only to ground single other spices.
Q: Which code should ground ginger powder be classified under?
A: Ginger powder belongs to ground other spices; if not specifically named, it should be classified under 092040. However, it is necessary to confirm whether it belongs to mixed spices under 0910.
Q: What elements need attention when declaring?
A: It is necessary to declare the product name, processing method, ingredients, brand, packaging specifications, use, etc., ensuring consistency with the actual goods to avoid classification errors.
Q: If spices have undergone further processing, such as extraction of essential oils, how should they be classified?
A: Extracted essential oils should be classified under Chapter 33, not Chapter 9. Chapter 9 only includes directly ground spices.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of ground spices, how should the HS code be determined?
A: Determine according to the type of spice and processing method. Single ground spices are classified by specific variety, other ground spices are classified under 092040, and mixed spices are classified under 0910.
Q: What is the difference between 092040 and 0910?
A: 092040 is ground other single spices, while 0910 is mixed spices, including unground or ground mixed spices.
⚠️ 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.