HS code lookup
Coriander seed is classified in heading 0909, the shared heading for the aromatic seed spices. The 6-digit code you pick depends mainly on whether the seed is whole or ground.
| HS code (6-digit) | Official description |
|---|---|
| 0909.20 | - Seeds of coriander |
| 0909.21 | Spices; coriander seeds, neither crushed nor ground |
| 0909.22 | Spices; coriander seeds, crushed or ground |
The first six digits are the same worldwide. Countries add their own further digits, and duty, licensing and statistics follow the national line, so confirm it in the destination tariff before quoting. Source: UN Comtrade HS nomenclature.
Heading 0909 groups seeds of anise, badian, fennel, coriander, cumin, caraway and juniper. Coriander has its own branch: 090920 is the subheading for coriander seeds, and it is split into 090921 for seed neither crushed nor ground and 090922 for seed that is crushed or ground.
For most export lots of dried coriander, the whole-seed code 090921 is the one that applies. Cleaned, sorted or machine-graded seed is still whole seed, so grade names such as eagle or scooter quality do not change the code. What changes it is milling.
The tariff wording turns on the physical state of the seed. Coriander that has been cracked, split into halves, cut or milled to powder belongs with 090922. Split coriander (the dal form sold for some culinary uses) is a borderline case: because the seed is broken, many customs offices treat it as crushed, but you should confirm this with the destination authority instead of assuming.
Fresh coriander leaf is a different product altogether and is not in this heading, since 0909 covers the seed only. Coriander leaves that are dried and sold as a herb are normally handled under the residual spice codes in a neighbouring heading, so check before mixing the two on one invoice.
Cumin (090931 and 090932), caraway (090940) and fennel or anise (090950 to 090962) all sit in the same heading, and they are visually similar in a sack. A mislabelled bag of fennel declared as coriander will hit the wrong line in trade statistics and can attract a query at the border.
Also watch for retail packs. A small consumer pouch of ground coriander stays in 090922, but a blended masala that merely contains coriander is a mixture and does not carry the coriander code.
Customs offices extend the 6-digit code to 8 or 10 digits for their own duty schedules, and the extra digits vary by country. The rate that applies, and any phytosanitary or residue conditions, must be confirmed against the current tariff of the importing country. Do not reuse a rate from another market.
When you search shipment data, try 090921 and 090922 separately, then 090920 to catch reporters who stop at the subheading. Read the goods description too, because it often names the origin and grade that the code hides.
Coriander seeds fall under 090920, which splits into 090921 for seed neither crushed nor ground and 090922 for crushed or ground seed. Whole dried seed is normally declared as 090921.
Yes. Once coriander is crushed or milled it moves from 090921 to 090922. The change reflects processing, so the same origin and grade can appear under both codes depending on how the lot is presented.
No. Heading 0909 covers the seed only. Fresh or dried leaf is treated as a different product, so confirm the correct heading with your customs broker before shipping.
Not by itself. Duty is set on the national 8 or 10 digit line in the importing country, and it changes over time. Check the current tariff and any import conditions with the destination customs authority.
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