HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 07.07 – Cucumbers and gherkins; fresh or chilled
What HS 07.07 covers
Heading 0707 specifically covers 'Cucumbers and gherkins; fresh or chilled.' This classification is dedicated to the fruit of the *Cucumis sativus* species, whether for slicing or pickling, provided they are in their fresh or merely chilled state. The scope explicitly excludes any processed forms such as pickled gherkins or canned cucumbers. Key sub-categories include various types of slicing cucumbers (English, Persian, field), mini cucumbers, and pickling cucumbers (gherkins, cornichons). The defining characteristic of 'fresh or chilled' is paramount, highlighting the high water content and perishability of these items, which necessitates careful handling and strict temperature control throughout the supply chain. Accurate classification under 0707 is crucial for trade compliance, influencing tariffs, quotas, and rigorous phytosanitary regulations aimed at preventing the spread of agricultural pests and diseases. The global trade in cucumbers and gherkins is robust, driven by their widespread culinary use. This heading is a fundamental part of Chapter 07, which consistently focuses on fresh or chilled edible vegetables, maintaining a clear distinction from processed or preserved alternatives found in other chapters, particularly Chapter 20.
- Covers
- English cucumbers
- Slicing cucumbers
- Pickling cucumbers (gherkins)
- Mini cucumbers
- Persian cucumbers
- Seedless cucumbers
- Lemon cucumbers
- Armenian cucumbers
- Beit Alpha cucumbers
- Kirby cucumbers
- Japanese cucumbers
- Field cucumbers
- Ridge cucumbers
- Burpless cucumbers
- White cucumbers
- Marketmore cucumbers
- Snack cucumbers
- Cocktail cucumbers
- Dill gherkins (fresh)
- Cornichons (fresh)
- Greenhouse cucumbers
- Outdoor cucumbers
- Examples
Mexican slicing cucumbers are a primary export to the United States, transported by refrigerated trucks to serve supermarkets and food service industries across the country. Spanish greenhouse cucumbers are frequently shipped to Germany and the UK, utilizing extensive European land routes to maintain their freshness. Dutch mini cucumbers are widely supplied to Scandinavian countries, reflecting efficient intra-European trade. Turkish gherkins, in their fresh state, are exported to Eastern European countries to supply their pickling industries. Canadian field cucumbers are exported to the US during peak growing seasons, capitalizing on seasonal demand.
Subheadings under 07.07 1
Codes often confused with 07.07
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification for HS 0707 occurs when gherkins are already pickled; these should be classified under HS 2001 ('Vegetables, fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, prepared or preserved by vinegar or acetic acid'). Similarly, cucumbers that have been canned, frozen, or otherwise preserved fall under HS 2005 ('Other vegetables prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen') or HS 0710 ('Vegetables, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen'), respectively, not 0707. Confusion can also arise with other types of squash or gourds, which would typically fall under HS 0709 ('Other vegetables, fresh or chilled'), if not specifically listed elsewhere.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 0707, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 0707 in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 31% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $1.3B 30% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $772M 18% of world exports
- 3 Mexico $754M 18% of world exports
World total: $4.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.4B 31% of world imports
- 2 Germany $1.1B 25% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $390M 8.9% of world imports
World total: $4.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Questions about HS 07.07
What is HS code 0707?
HS code 0707 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cucumbers and gherkins; fresh or chilled. Heading 0707 specifically covers 'Cucumbers and gherkins; fresh or chilled.' This classification is dedicated to the fruit of the *Cucumis sativus* species, whether for slicing or pickling, provided they are in their fresh or merely chilled state. The scope explicitly excludes any processed forms such as pickled gherkins or canned cucumbers. Key sub-categories include various types of slicing cucumbers (English, Persian, field), mini cucumbers, and pickling cucumbers (gherkins, cornichons). The defining characteristic of 'fresh or chilled' is paramount, highlighting the high water content and perishability of these items, which necessitates careful handling and strict temperature control throughout the supply chain. Accurate classification under 0707 is crucial for trade compliance, influencing tariffs, quotas, and rigorous phytosanitary regulations aimed at preventing the spread of agricultural pests and diseases. The global trade in cucumbers and gherkins is robust, driven by their widespread culinary use. This heading is a fundamental part of Chapter 07, which consistently focuses on fresh or chilled edible vegetables, maintaining a clear distinction from processed or preserved alternatives found in other chapters, particularly Chapter 20.
What products fall under HS code 0707?
English cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, pickling cucumbers (gherkins), mini cucumbers, Persian cucumbers, seedless cucumbers, lemon cucumbers, Armenian cucumbers, Beit Alpha cucumbers, Kirby cucumbers, Japanese cucumbers, field cucumbers, ridge cucumbers, burpless cucumbers, white cucumbers, marketmore cucumbers, snack cucumbers, cocktail cucumbers, dill gherkins (fresh), cornichons (fresh), greenhouse cucumbers, outdoor cucumbers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 0707?
A frequent misclassification for HS 0707 occurs when gherkins are already pickled; these should be classified under HS 2001 ('Vegetables, fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, prepared or preserved by vinegar or acetic acid'). Similarly, cucumbers that have been canned, frozen, or otherwise preserved fall under HS 2005 ('Other vegetables prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen') or HS 0710 ('Vegetables, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen'), respectively, not 0707. Confusion can also arise with other types of squash or gourds, which would typically fall under HS 0709 ('Other vegetables, fresh or chilled'), if not specifically listed elsewhere.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 0707?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 0707 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($1.3B, 30% of world exports), the Netherlands ($772M) and Mexico ($754M). World exports came to about $4.3B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 0707?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 0707 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.4B, 31% of world imports), Germany ($1.1B) and the United Kingdom ($390M). World imports came to about $4.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 0707 structured?
HS code 0707 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 07 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (07) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (07) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.