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HS Codes for Indian Agri-Food Exports

A plain-English reference to the HS code headings that apply to the main agri-food lines we ship from Tamil Nadu and Kerala — coconut, banana, mango, onion, drumstick, curry leaves, black pepper, turmeric, dry red chilli and rice. Use it to brief your forwarder and plan landed cost. Final, shipment-specific classification is always confirmed with the customs broker before the shipping bill is filed.

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South Indian agri-food products for export

Reference guide

An HS code — short for Harmonized System code — is the internationally standardised commodity number that travels with every export shipment. The first six digits are common across all member countries; India extends them to an eight-digit ITC (HS) code on the shipping bill. The code determines how the destination customs authority assesses duty, whether an import permit is needed, and how trade statistics are recorded. Getting the heading right keeps clearance smooth at the receiving port.

How classification works for produce and spices

The single biggest variable is the form of the product. The same crop can sit in different chapters depending on whether it ships fresh, chilled, dried, whole, ground, in-shell or shelled. As a broad map: fresh vegetables fall under Chapter 07, fresh and dried fruit and nuts under Chapter 08, spices under Chapter 09, and cereals such as rice under Chapter 10. Because of this, the indicative codes below are starting points — the exact eight-digit line is matched to the actual consignment.

Indicative HS code reference

The table below lists the HS chapter and heading typically associated with each of our core lines. Treat it as planning guidance only.

Coconut (fresh / in shell)Heading 0801 — coconuts, Brazil nuts & cashew nuts
Banana (fresh)Heading 0803 — bananas, including plantains
Mango (fresh)Heading 0804 — guavas, mangoes & mangosteens
Onion (fresh / chilled)Heading 0703 — onions, shallots, garlic, leeks
Drumstick / moringa (fresh)Heading 0709 — other fresh vegetables
Curry leaves (fresh)Heading 0709 — other fresh vegetables / leaves
Black pepperHeading 0904 — pepper of the genus Piper
TurmericHeading 0910 — ginger, saffron, turmeric & other spices
Dry red chilliHeading 0904 — dried/crushed/ground fruits of Capsicum
Rice (incl. Seeraga Samba)Heading 1006 — rice (semi-milled / wholly milled lines vary)

Disclaimer: these are indicative chapter/heading references for planning. The final eight-digit ITC (HS) classification — and the matching destination-country tariff line — is confirmed per shipment with our customs broker before filing, based on the precise form, grade and packing of the goods.

Form matters — fresh vs dried, whole vs ground

A few examples make the point. Fresh green chilli is a vegetable (Chapter 07), but dry red chilli moves to the spices chapter (0904). Whole black pepper and cracked or ground pepper share a heading but split at the eight-digit level. Turmeric finger versus turmeric powder, and coconut in shell versus desiccated, all change the line. We classify against the actual form shipped, not the crop in general.

Where the HS code appears in your documents

The HS code is carried on the commercial invoice, the packing list and the shipping bill filed with Indian customs, and is referenced on the certificate of origin. Your buyer's broker uses it at the destination to assess duty and any import licensing. For fresh produce, a phytosanitary certificate accompanies the consignment; for many lines a fumigation or ISPM-15 declaration is also provided. We align the code with the buyer's broker so both ends reference a consistent classification.

Our core export lines

Each line in the table has its own product page with origin, grades and packing detail: coconut, drumstick / moringa, black pepper, turmeric, dry red chilli and Seeraga Samba rice. For a market-specific walkthrough of clearance and documents, see how to import food from India to Qatar.

StandardHarmonized System (HS) — 6 digits global, 8-digit ITC (HS) for India export
DocumentsCommercial invoice, packing list, shipping bill, certificate of origin
Determining factorProduct form — fresh / chilled / dried / whole / ground / in-shell / shelled
Final classificationConfirmed per shipment with the customs broker before filing

FAQ

HS code questions, answered

What is an HS code and why does it matter for agri-food exports from India?

An HS (Harmonized System) code is an internationally standardised commodity classification number used on the commercial invoice, packing list and shipping bill. The first six digits are common worldwide; India extends this to an eight-digit ITC (HS) code for export. The code drives duty assessment, import permits and statistical reporting, so the correct heading matters for smooth clearance at the destination port.

Are the HS codes on this page final?

No. The codes shown are indicative chapter and heading references to help buyers and forwarders plan. Final classification depends on the exact product form — fresh, chilled, dried, whole, powdered, in shell or shelled — and on destination-country tariff rules. We confirm the precise eight-digit code per shipment with our customs broker before the shipping bill is filed.

Does the same product have different HS codes when fresh versus dried?

Often, yes. Form changes the classification. Fresh produce typically falls under Chapters 07 and 08, while dried, ground or processed forms move to other headings — for example fresh chilli sits under vegetables, while dried red chilli is classified under the spices chapter (09). We map the code to the actual form of each consignment.

Which document carries the HS code on an export shipment?

The HS code appears on the commercial invoice, the packing list and the shipping bill filed with Indian customs, and is referenced on the certificate of origin. Importers use it to determine duty and any import licensing at their end, which is why we align it with the buyer's broker before shipping.

Can you provide the full export documentation set with the HS code?

Yes. We provide commercial invoice with HS code, packing list, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate where required, and fumigation/ISPM-15 declarations on request. The HS code is confirmed at quotation and finalised per shipment with the broker.

Do destination countries use the same HS code as India?

The first six digits are harmonised internationally, so the broad classification matches. Beyond six digits, each country applies its own national tariff lines, so the importing country's exact code and duty rate are confirmed by the buyer's broker. We coordinate so both sides reference a consistent classification.

Send us your product list — we will confirm HS codes and quote

Tell us the varieties, forms and volumes you need and your destination market. We'll respond with samples, indicative pricing, terms, and HS codes confirmed at quotation and finalised per shipment with the broker.

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