Ginger, saffron, tumeric (curcuma), thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices (heading 0910): importing markets
HS heading 0910 covers ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices. In 2025 the United States was the largest importer, at about…
Published on 24 October 2026Updated on 24 October 2026
HS heading 0910 covers ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices. In 2025 the United States was the largest importer, at about 458 million USD, followed by Saudi Arabia, Germany and the Netherlands. For a company exporting from Spain, the first step is to separate EU destinations from third-country markets.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 24 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0910
- Chapter
- 09 · Coffee, tea, mate and spices
- Subheadings
- 9
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | 457,892,938 |
| Saudi Arabia | 286,854,767 |
| Germany | 276,729,516 |
| Netherlands | 266,394,901 |
| United Kingdom | 175,285,083 |
| Japan | 168,519,286 |
| Spain | 141,599,459 |
| France | 135,488,070 |
| Canada | 114,571,211 |
| India | 101,346,957 |
| Malaysia | 90,594,175 |
| China | 89,210,216 |
| Belgium | 83,614,006 |
| Morocco | 77,507,121 |
| Pakistan | 73,778,380 |
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 24 October 2026
What to know before exporting heading 0910 from Spain
Heading 0910 is a group of different products. It includes ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices, spread over nine subheadings. A shipment is classified under one subheading, not under the heading as a whole, so the first task is to find the exact subheading for your product.
The import table on this page shows demand by country, not demand for your specific spice. In 2025 the United States (about 458 million USD), Saudi Arabia (about 287 million USD) and Germany (about 277 million USD) led the ranking. A large importer may buy mostly one product in the heading and little of another, so check the figures at subheading level before choosing a market.
Some of the top importers are re-export hubs. The Netherlands, for example, appears among the largest importers, and part of what a hub declares as imports may be shipped on to other countries. Imports show where goods enter, not always where they are consumed.
For a company exporting from Spain, the destination decides the paperwork. Germany, the Netherlands, France and Belgium are EU markets, so shipments there move within the single market and do not need an export customs declaration. The United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, India and the other non-EU countries in the table are third-country exports with customs formalities.
The import duty depends on the subheading, the destination and the trade agreement in force between the EU and that country. Look up the duty for your destination and subheading in Access2Markets, the European Commission tool for EU exporters.
Product requirements, such as food safety, plant health and labelling rules, are also set by each destination and can differ between subheadings. Access2Markets lists them by product and country. Check them before quoting a price, because they can affect packaging, documents and lead times.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 24 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
Which country imports the most from heading 0910?
In 2025 the United States had the highest imports under heading 0910 in the UN Comtrade data on this page, followed by Saudi Arabia, Germany and the Netherlands. These figures cover the whole heading and each country reports with a delay, so the ranking can change as data are consolidated.
Does shipping spices from Spain to Germany count as an export?
Not in customs terms. Germany is in the EU single market, so the shipment is an intra-EU dispatch with no export customs declaration. VAT rules and statistical reporting (Intrastat, depending on your volumes) still apply.
Where do I find the import duty for my spice in a non-EU market?
In Access2Markets, the European Commission tool for EU exporters. The duty depends on your exact subheading, the destination country and any trade agreement between the EU and that country. Search by product code and destination.
Is heading 0910 enough to classify my product?
No. Heading 0910 has nine subheadings, and ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves and curry are not all treated alike. Duties and requirements are tied to the subheading, and some countries add further digits to the code. Confirm the full code with your customs agent or in the destination's tariff.
Are the Netherlands figures a reliable signal of local demand?
Only partly. The Netherlands is a major trade hub, and some of what it declares as imports may be re-exported. Use its figures as a signal of trade flow and check consumption in the final destination markets.
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