Tea (heading 0902): importing markets
HS heading 0902 covers tea, in chapter 09 alongside coffee, mate and spices. According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, Pakistan and the United States are…
Published on 22 October 2026Updated on 22 October 2026
HS heading 0902 covers tea, in chapter 09 alongside coffee, mate and spices. According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, Pakistan and the United States are the two largest importers, each above 600 million USD, followed by the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Germany. For a company exporting from Spain, the market choice shapes tariff, labelling and documentation.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 22 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0902
- Chapter
- 09 · Coffee, tea, mate and spices
- Subheadings
- 4
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Pakistan | 631,678,985 |
| United States | 620,364,365 |
| United Kingdom | 393,626,479 |
| Saudi Arabia | 310,671,173 |
| Germany | 308,553,846 |
| Morocco | 297,553,019 |
| Egypt | 257,920,786 |
| Japan | 175,670,965 |
| France | 174,995,857 |
| Netherlands | 168,123,930 |
| Canada | 165,084,728 |
| Poland | 160,904,965 |
| China | 157,455,483 |
| Australia | 125,826,312 |
| Malaysia | 99,782,215 |
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 22 October 2026
What to know before exporting tea
Heading 0902 is a four-digit code with four subheadings. The exact subheading depends on the product: whether the tea is green or black, fermented or not, and how it is presented, for example in the form of leaves or in packages of a given weight. Classifying the product at subheading level is the first step, because tariffs and import documents are tied to the full code, not to the heading.
The importing markets are very different from one another. The table shows large buyers in South Asia, the Middle East, North America, Europe and North Africa. Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Morocco all appear among the top six. A high import volume shows where demand exists, but it does not show how accessible the market is for a new supplier.
The tariff depends on the destination, the subheading and the agreement in force. For a company exporting from Spain, shipments to other EU countries, such as Germany, France, the Netherlands or Poland, move within the single market and carry no customs duty. For the rest, the applicable duty and any preferential treatment under a trade agreement are consulted in Access2Markets, the European Commission tool for exporters, by entering the product code and the destination country.
Tea is a food product, so it normally has to meet the food safety, labelling and import documentation rules of the destination. These rules differ by country and can change, so they should be checked for each market before quoting. Access2Markets also lists the requirements and procedures for each product and destination.
The import figures are what each country declares as bought from the world. They include all origins, and they do not say how much of that demand a Spanish exporter can reach. To judge that, compare the market's volume with competing origins, the price level and the type of buyer, such as packers, blenders or retail chains.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 22 October 2026
Frequently asked questions about exporting tea
Which countries import the most tea?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, the largest importers of HS 0902 are Pakistan (about 632 million USD) and the United States (about 620 million USD), followed by the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Morocco. The figures are what each country declares as imported from the world.
What is HS code 0902?
HS 0902 is the Harmonized System heading for tea, whether or not flavoured. It belongs to chapter 09, which groups coffee, tea, mate and spices, and it is divided into four subheadings.
Does a Spanish exporter pay duty when selling tea to Germany or France?
No customs duty applies to goods moving between EU member states, because they are part of the single market. This holds for a company exporting from Spain to Germany, France, the Netherlands or Poland. Other taxes, such as VAT, and the invoicing rules still apply.
Where can I find the tariff for tea in a non-EU country?
The tariff depends on the subheading, the destination and the trade agreement between the EU and that country. For a company exporting from Spain, it is consulted in Access2Markets by entering the product code and the destination. The same tool lists the import requirements and procedures.
Does a high import volume mean a market is easy to enter?
No. Import volume shows the size of demand, not how open it is to a new supplier. Entry also depends on tariffs, product rules, established competing origins and the type of buyer, so these should be reviewed market by market.
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