Pepper of the genus piper; dried or crushed or ground fruits of the genus capsicum or of the genus pimenta (heading 0904): importing markets
Heading 0904 covers pepper of the genus Piper and dried, crushed or ground fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, such as paprika and chili. In 2025…
Published on 22 October 2026Updated on 22 October 2026
Heading 0904 covers pepper of the genus Piper and dried, crushed or ground fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, such as paprika and chili. In 2025 the United States, China and Germany were the largest importers by value, according to UN Comtrade. For a company exporting from Spain, the right subheading decides the duty and the documents.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 22 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0904
- Chapter
- 09 · Coffee, tea, mate and spices
- Subheadings
- 5
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | 1,149,693,437 |
| China | 554,109,348 |
| Germany | 375,225,758 |
| India | 259,428,699 |
| Thailand | 255,004,494 |
| Spain | 196,812,579 |
| United Kingdom | 178,635,173 |
| Mexico | 176,867,609 |
| Japan | 172,431,925 |
| France | 156,053,588 |
| Malaysia | 144,718,720 |
| Canada | 135,265,133 |
| Netherlands | 129,492,033 |
| Indonesia | 94,996,244 |
| Poland | 94,806,295 |
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 heading 0904 from Spain
Heading 0904 sits in chapter 09 of the Harmonized System, together with coffee, tea, mate and other spices. It has five subheadings. The first step is to classify the product at that level, because duties, controls and statistics are set per subheading and not for the heading as a whole.
The classification turns on the species and the form. Pepper of the genus Piper is one case. Fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta are another, and the heading distinguishes whether they are dried or crushed or ground. A product that is whole when it leaves the farm and ground when it is packed may change subheading.
Demand is concentrated in a few large buyers. Among the importing markets listed on this page, the United States stands out well above the rest, followed by China and Germany. Spain, India, Thailand and Mexico also appear among the top importers, so some of the largest buyers are also producers or re-exporters of spices.
Read the table as a measure of the size of each market, not of how easy it is to enter. Imports declared by a country include goods that arrive for processing and re-export. A high figure says there is a market. It does not say that your product has a place in it.
The duty for a company exporting from Spain depends on the subheading, on the destination and on the agreement in force with that country. It is checked in Access2Markets, entering the code and the destination. Within the European Union, trade between member states carries no customs duty, but the shipment still has to meet the rules on food products.
Spices are food, so the destination may ask for health or phytosanitary documents, labelling in a given language and limits on residues or contaminants. These requirements vary by country and are not the same for whole and for ground product. Check them in Access2Markets or with the importing country's competent authority before quoting a price.
To choose a first market, compare three things for each candidate: the volume it imports, the duty applicable to your subheading and the cost of meeting its food requirements. The trade data on this page covers the first. The other two are checked in the official sources for each country.
Frequently asked questions about heading 0904
What products fall under HS heading 0904?
Heading 0904 covers pepper of the genus Piper and dried or crushed or ground fruits of the genus Capsicum or of the genus Pimenta. It belongs to chapter 09, coffee, tea, mate and spices, and has five subheadings.
Which countries import the most under heading 0904?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, the largest importers by value were the United States, China and Germany. Imports are the figures declared by each country from the world, and countries report with a delay.
How do I find the duty for exporting 0904 from Spain?
The duty depends on the subheading and on the destination country, and on whether a trade agreement applies. Look it up in Access2Markets by entering the code and the destination market. Do not use the heading alone, because duties are set per subheading.
Does the same code apply to whole and ground spices?
Not necessarily. The heading distinguishes dried fruits from crushed or ground ones, and pepper of the genus Piper from capsicum and pimenta. Classify at subheading level, and check the exact wording of the subheadings for the destination market.
Is a high import figure a sign that a market is easy to enter?
No. The figure measures how much a country imports, including goods that are processed and re-exported. Ease of entry depends on duties, food requirements and competition, which are checked separately for each market.
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