ITC-HS Codes for Spices Explained
The Chapter 9 headings, 0904 to 0910, that classify spices for Indian export and set duty and compliance treatment.
Chapter 9 heading table
Spices are classified under Chapter 9 of the Harmonized System, mirrored in India ITC-HS schedule. The four-digit heading fixes what a product is for customs, which in turn drives its duty rate and which border controls apply.
| Heading | Covers |
|---|---|
| 0904 | Pepper (Piper); dried, crushed or ground fruits of Capsicum or Pimenta (chilli, paprika) |
| 0905 | Vanilla |
| 0906 | Cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers (includes cassia) |
| 0907 | Cloves (whole fruit, cloves and stems) |
| 0908 | Nutmeg, mace and cardamoms |
| 0909 | Seeds of anise, badian, fennel, coriander, cumin and caraway; juniper berries |
| 0910 | Ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices |
Why classification matters
- The heading sets the duty. Into the US, spices under HS 0904 to 0910 carry duties in the 0 to 3% range, and a November 2025 executive order exempted Indian pepper, cumin and turmeric from the top reciprocal duties.
- The heading also targets compliance. Border-check entries under Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 are written against specific products, so mis-classifying a spice can misroute its checks.
- Getting to the right eight-digit national code is what a customs broker does; the four-digit heading is the anchor everything else hangs from.
Frequently asked
Which HS chapter covers spices?
Chapter 9. Pepper and chilli sit in 0904, cinnamon 0906, clove 0907, nutmeg/mace/cardamom 0908, seed spices 0909, and ginger, saffron, turmeric and other spices in 0910.
What duty do spices pay entering the US?
Spices under HS 0904 to 0910 carry US duties of roughly 0 to 3%, and a November 2025 executive order exempted Indian pepper, cumin and turmeric from the top reciprocal duties.
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Start a sourcing enquiry →What this page does not tell you
- Eight-digit ITC-HS codes
- National eight-digit ITC-HS subheadings and their exact duty lines are not in our verified set; confirm with the CBIC tariff and a broker.
- Duty by specific tariff line
- Precise duty for a given eight-digit line varies; only the 0 to 3% US band is stated.
Reviewed 16 July 2026.
Sources
- Spices Board — ITC-HS classification of spices· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16
- CBIC — Customs Tariff, Chapter 9· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16
- USITC — Harmonized Tariff Schedule· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16