Bananas, including plantains; fresh or dried (heading 0803): importing markets
HS heading 0803 covers bananas, including plantains, fresh or dried. The United States is the largest importer by value, with about 3.4 billion USD in…
Published on 17 October 2026Updated on 17 October 2026
HS heading 0803 covers bananas, including plantains, fresh or dried. The United States is the largest importer by value, with about 3.4 billion USD in 2025, followed by Germany and Japan. For a company exporting from Spain, the right market depends on tariff, entry requirements and logistics for a perishable product, all checked per subheading.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 17 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0803
- Chapter
- 08 · Fruit and nuts, edible; peel of citrus fruit or melons
- Subheadings
- 3
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | 3,366,749,506 |
| Germany | 1,242,566,457 |
| Japan | 1,023,109,124 |
| France | 949,235,879 |
| Netherlands | 929,876,301 |
| China | 907,576,659 |
| United Kingdom | 872,668,750 |
| Italy | 652,562,464 |
| Canada | 555,095,661 |
| Spain | 413,985,009 |
| Poland | 401,740,403 |
| Saudi Arabia | 350,386,344 |
| Argentina | 339,514,305 |
| South Korea | 315,899,652 |
| Belgium | 287,600,670 |
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 17 October 2026
What to know before exporting bananas under HS 0803
Import demand is concentrated at the top. The United States declared about 3.37 billion USD of imports in 2025, more than two and a half times Germany, the second market with about 1.24 billion USD. Japan follows with about 1.02 billion USD.
The table shows what each country imports from the world, not what it buys from Spain. It includes re-exports and supply from every origin. It indicates the size of a market, not the room available to a Spanish exporter.
Several of the largest markets are in the European Union: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Poland and Belgium. For a company exporting from Spain, shipments to other EU member states move within the single market and carry no customs duty. Customs duties and entry formalities apply to non-EU destinations such as the United States, Japan, China, the United Kingdom or Canada.
For non-EU markets, the duty depends on the subheading, the destination and the trade agreement in force between the EU and that country. The fact sheet shows three subheadings under 0803, so classify the product precisely before quoting. Duties and rules of origin for exports from the EU are consulted in Access2Markets.
Bananas are a perishable product, so the sanitary and plant health requirements of the destination matter as much as the duty. They vary by country and can change, so confirm them with the destination's official import rules before shipping. Access2Markets also lists product requirements for many destinations.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 17 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
What does HS heading 0803 cover?
Heading 0803 covers bananas, including plantains, fresh or dried. It belongs to chapter 08, edible fruit and nuts, and peel of citrus fruit or melons. The heading has three subheadings, and the correct one depends on the exact product being shipped.
Which countries import the most bananas by value?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, the largest importers by value are the United States, Germany and Japan, followed by France, the Netherlands and China. The figures are imports declared by each country from the world, and the latest year with consolidated data is used.
Do I pay import duty when shipping bananas from Spain to Germany or France?
No customs duty applies to goods moving between EU member states, because they circulate within the single market. This holds for a company exporting from Spain. Duty does apply when the destination is outside the EU, such as the United States or Japan.
Where do I find the tariff for bananas in a non-EU market?
The tariff depends on the subheading and on the agreement between the EU and the destination country. For an exporter from Spain, Access2Markets, the European Commission's tool, shows duties, rules of origin and product requirements by destination and product code.
Does the size of an importing market mean there is room for a Spanish exporter?
Not by itself. Import figures include all origins and any re-exports, so they show how large a market is. Whether there is room for your product depends on price, logistics, existing suppliers and the destination's entry requirements.
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