HS codes 0909 and 0910 are the Harmonized System headings covering most spices Pakistani exporters trade — coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, turmeric, saffron, curry blends.
HS code 0909 and 0910 are the two Harmonized System headings under Chapter 9 — Coffee, tea, maté and spices that cover most of the spice categories Pakistani exporters ship. The Harmonized System (HS) is the World Customs Organization's six-digit international product nomenclature, used by virtually every customs administration globally as the basis for tariff classification, statistics and rules of origin.
Heading 0909 — Seeds of anise, badian, fennel, coriander, cumin or caraway; juniper berries
Heading 0910 — Ginger, saffron, turmeric (curcuma), thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices
For Pakistani exporters, correct HS code classification on the commercial invoice, packing list, BL, COO and phytosanitary certificate determines: (1) destination-country import duty (Pakistan-China FTA / SAFTA / GSP+ preferential rates often differ at the 6-digit level); (2) regulatory pathway (FDA, EFSA, SFDA) — different MRLs and labelling rules apply to different HS lines; (3) whether the shipment is subject to anti-dumping or country-quota measures.
Misclassification at origin cascades into delays, demurrage, post-clearance audits and back-duty assessments at destination. Pakistani exporters typically maintain an internal HS-code reference per SKU, validated against destination-country tariff databases (TARIC for EU, HTS for USA).
Common Pakistani spice exports and their typical HS codes:
| Product | HS Code |
|---|---|
| Coriander seed (whole) | 0909.21 |
| Coriander, ground | 0909.22 |
| Cumin seed (whole) | 0909.31 |
| Cumin, ground | 0909.32 |
| Fennel seed | 0909.61 |
| Turmeric (whole/dried) | 0910.30 |
| Turmeric powder | 0910.30 |
| Fenugreek seed | 0910.99 |
| Curry / masala blend | 0910.91 |
| Dried chillies / capsicum | 0904.21 (separate heading) |
| Black pepper | 0904.11/0904.12 (separate heading) |
National extensions: HS is a 6-digit base; most countries extend to 8-10 digits for tariff and statistics. Pakistan uses an 8-digit PCT (Pakistan Customs Tariff) code.
Reference: World Customs Organization (WCO) — Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) 2022 edition, wcoomd.org. Pakistan extension: Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT), fbr.gov.pk.