HS Code 0908Nutmeg, mace and cardamoms

What HS code 0908 covers: nutmeg, mace and cardamom

The Harmonized System is a global list of product codes kept by the World Customs Organization. Customs offices use it to name goods that cross borders. Heading 0908 is the part of that list for three spices.

Nutmeg is the hard seed of a tropical fruit. Mace is the lacy covering around that seed. Cardamom is a small pod filled with seeds and known for its strong smell.

People look for this heading in different ways. Some type nutmeg HS code, some type mace HS code, and others type cardamom HS code. All three searches end at the same place. You may also see it written as HSN code 0908, which is the same heading number.

The heading belongs to the wider family of spices in the chapter on coffee, tea, mate and spices.

Whole or ground: how to pick the right 0908 code

Pick the spice first. Then pick the form. Each spice has two codes, and the form decides which one fits your goods.

The words 'neither crushed nor ground' mean the spice is still whole. The words 'crushed or ground' mean it has been broken up or turned into powder. So the HS code for ground cardamom is 090832, and whole cardamom pods go under 090831.

Common misclassification of nutmeg, mace and cardamom

Two mistakes come up often. The first is mixing up the spice. Nutmeg and mace come from the same fruit, so they are easy to swap by accident, but they have separate codes. The second is using a whole-spice code for a powder, or the other way round.

Look at the invoice and at the goods themselves before you choose. If you are still unsure, try the HS code classifier. It is a good second check before you file.

What does HS code 0908 not include?

Many other spices sit next door in the same chapter. They look similar on a shelf but are classified under their own headings. Do not use 0908 for these:

• Pepper, and dried or crushed or ground fruits of capsicum or pimenta: heading 0904.
• Vanilla: heading 0905.

Find importers and exporters of nutmeg and cardamom

Wondering who imports nutmeg and cardamom? The code tells you where to look. Pick the code that matches your spice and its form, then search it.

EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily. You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.

This page does not list duty or tax rates. For those, check your national tariff.