Lettuce (lactuca sativa) and chicory (cichorium spp.) fresh or chilled (heading 0705): importing markets
HS heading 0705 covers fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory. In 2025, Germany (about USD 545 million), Canada (USD 504 million) and the United States…
Published on 13 October 2026Updated on 13 October 2026
HS heading 0705 covers fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory. In 2025, Germany (about USD 545 million), Canada (USD 504 million) and the United States (USD 459 million) led declared imports, followed by the United Kingdom and France. For a company exporting from Spain, the key questions are which subheading applies and what each destination requires.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 13 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0705
- Chapter
- 07 · Vegetables and certain roots and tubers; edible
- Subheadings
- 4
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Germany | 544,622,482 |
| Canada | 504,377,323 |
| United States | 459,073,344 |
| United Kingdom | 254,589,721 |
| France | 201,110,153 |
| Italy | 154,754,275 |
| Netherlands | 113,616,373 |
| Poland | 113,059,843 |
| Austria | 83,187,585 |
| Belgium | 82,573,251 |
| Switzerland | 70,185,789 |
| Sweden | 61,354,194 |
| Mexico | 46,862,523 |
| Spain | 46,344,917 |
| Denmark | 45,805,818 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 13 October 2026
What to know before exporting heading 0705 from Spain
Heading 0705 is the code for fresh or chilled lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and chicory (Cichorium spp.). It belongs to chapter 07 and is divided into four subheadings. Choosing the right subheading comes first, because duties, import conditions and statistics are all tied to it.
The demand shown in the table is concentrated in Europe and North America. Germany, Canada and the United States are the three largest importers by declared value in 2025. The United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland follow. Spain itself appears among the importers, so it is both a supplier and a buyer in this trade.
Several of these destinations are reachable from Spain under different conditions. Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Sweden and Denmark are in the EU single market, where goods from Spain circulate without customs duties. Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Mexico are outside it, so each needs its own check of duty, agreement and import procedure.
For non-EU destinations, the duty depends on the subheading and on the agreement in force with the EU. It is looked up by destination and product code in Access2Markets, the European Commission tool for exporters. Check it for every market before quoting a price.
Fresh produce is also subject to plant health and quality rules. These vary by destination and can change, so the phytosanitary requirements should be checked with the official authority of the importing country before the first shipment. In Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture's plant health services and the chamber of commerce are the usual starting points for export documentation.
The table reflects imports declared by each country from the world, not purchases from Spain. It shows where demand is large, not where Spanish product already sells well. Bilateral flows for your own subheading can be checked in UN Comtrade or ITC Trade Map.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 13 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
Which countries import the most lettuce and chicory under HS 0705?
In 2025 the three largest importers by declared value were Germany (about USD 545 million), Canada (USD 504 million) and the United States (USD 459 million). The United Kingdom and France came next. Figures are declared imports from the world, per UN Comtrade.
Do I pay customs duties when exporting lettuce from Spain to Germany or France?
No customs duties apply between EU member states, because they share a single market and customs union. Other rules, such as quality standards and plant health, still apply to the product.
How do I find the duty for exporting heading 0705 to Canada, the United States or the United Kingdom?
The duty depends on the exact subheading and on the trade agreement between the EU and the destination. Enter the product code and the destination country in Access2Markets, which shows the applicable duty and conditions for an exporter from the EU.
Does the table show how much each country buys from Spain?
No. It shows each country's total declared imports of heading 0705 from all suppliers in 2025. To see what a market buys specifically from Spain, query bilateral flows in UN Comtrade or ITC Trade Map.
Why should I confirm the subheading before exporting?
Heading 0705 has four subheadings, and duties, import requirements and trade statistics are set at that level. Using the wrong one can mean a wrong duty calculation or a customs declaration that does not match the goods.
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