HS code · 2-digit chapter
HS Code 08 – Fruit and nuts, edible; peel of citrus fruit or melons
What HS 08 covers
Chapter 08 of the Harmonized System (HS) code classification encompasses edible fruit and nuts, whether fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, or provisionally preserved, along with the peel of citrus fruit or melons. This chapter is fundamental for international trade in agricultural commodities, representing a vast array of natural, unprocessed or minimally processed produce. Its scope is broad, covering whole fruits and nuts, but it carefully delineates boundaries: it generally excludes fruits and nuts that have undergone significant processing such as cooking beyond steaming or boiling in water, preparing (e.g., purees, jams, juices), or preserving in ways that alter their fundamental character (e.g., canning, roasting). Such prepared products typically fall under Chapter 20. Similarly, fruits or nuts primarily intended for sowing or industrial/medicinal uses are usually classified under Chapter 12. Key sub-categories within Chapter 08 include tropical fruits (e.g., bananas, mangoes, pineapples), temperate fruits (e.g., apples, pears, cherries), berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries), citrus fruits (e.g., oranges, lemons), and a wide variety of edible nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios). Dried fruits like raisins, dates, and apricots also find their place here. Classification under Chapter 08 is paramount for trade compliance due to stringent phytosanitary regulations designed to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, which often necessitate inspection certificates. Furthermore, tariffs, quotas, rules of origin for preferential trade agreements, and food safety standards (e.g., residue limits, hygiene) are heavily influenced by this classification. Historically, global trade in fruits and nuts has been a cornerstone of nutrition and economic development, evolving with modern cold chain logistics to create complex international supply chains. Major headings cover specific fruit categories like 0803 for bananas, 0805 for citrus, 0808 for apples and pears, and 0813 for dried fruits.
- Covers
- Fresh Hass avocados
- Dried Medjool dates
- Shelled raw almonds
- Fresh navel oranges
- Frozen raspberries
- Unshelled walnuts
- Fresh ripe bananas
- Dried apricots
- Fresh Gala apples
- Peeled pistachios
- Fresh pineapples
- Dried cranberries
- Fresh limes
- Frozen mango chunks
- Fresh blueberries
- Dried figs
- Fresh red seedless grapes
- Fresh kiwifruit
- Provisionally preserved cherries in brine
- Candied orange peel
- Fresh lychees
- Brazil nuts
- Fresh pomegranates
- Dried prunes
- Fresh papayas
- Examples
A major importer in the United States regularly sources fresh Hass avocados from Mexico, transporting them via refrigerated trucks across the border. This trade relies heavily on adherence to USDA phytosanitary regulations and benefits from tariff reductions under the USMCA agreement. Another common scenario involves European distributors importing large quantities of dried apricots from Turkey by sea container, requiring strict compliance with EU food safety standards and origin labeling. During the Southern Hemisphere's harvest season, fresh blueberries from Chile are frequently air-freighted to markets in China, necessitating rapid customs clearance and precise cold chain management to maintain freshness and quality. Shelled raw cashew nuts are imported from Vietnam to the Netherlands for further processing and distribution across Europe, involving detailed quality checks and adherence to international food safety protocols. Lastly, premium Medjool dates from Israel are exported to various Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, requiring specific Halal certifications and careful packaging to ensure product integrity during transit.
Headings in chapter 08 14
Codes often confused with 08
Common mistake. Traders often misclassify products under Chapter 08 by failing to distinguish between minimally processed and prepared items. A common mistake is confusing goods classified here with those in Chapter 20 ('Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants'). For example, fresh strawberries fall under 0810, but strawberry jam or canned strawberries belong to Chapter 20 because they are 'prepared' beyond simple preservation. Another frequent error involves Chapter 12 ('Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder'). If almonds are imported for oil extraction, they might fall under Chapter 12, whereas almonds for direct consumption are in Chapter 08. Similarly, botanically fruit but culinarily vegetable items (e.g., tomatoes, cucumbers) belong to Chapter 07, not Chapter 08, which is exclusively for botanical fruits and nuts.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 08, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 08 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.9% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 United States $18.0B 9.9% of world exports
- 2 Spain $13.2B 7.2% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $10.5B 5.8% of world exports
World total: $182.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $25.7B 13% of world imports
- 2 China $20.7B 11% of world imports
- 3 Germany $16.3B 8.5% of world imports
World total: $191.6B 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 08
What is HS code 08?
HS code 08 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Fruit and nuts, edible; peel of citrus fruit or melons. Chapter 08 of the Harmonized System (HS) code classification encompasses edible fruit and nuts, whether fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, or provisionally preserved, along with the peel of citrus fruit or melons. This chapter is fundamental for international trade in agricultural commodities, representing a vast array of natural, unprocessed or minimally processed produce. Its scope is broad, covering whole fruits and nuts, but it carefully delineates boundaries: it generally excludes fruits and nuts that have undergone significant processing such as cooking beyond steaming or boiling in water, preparing (e.g., purees, jams, juices), or preserving in ways that alter their fundamental character (e.g., canning, roasting). Such prepared products typically fall under Chapter 20. Similarly, fruits or nuts primarily intended for sowing or industrial/medicinal uses are usually classified under Chapter 12. Key sub-categories within Chapter 08 include tropical fruits (e.g., bananas, mangoes, pineapples), temperate fruits (e.g., apples, pears, cherries), berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries), citrus fruits (e.g., oranges, lemons), and a wide variety of edible nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios). Dried fruits like raisins, dates, and apricots also find their place here. Classification under Chapter 08 is paramount for trade compliance due to stringent phytosanitary regulations designed to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, which often necessitate inspection certificates. Furthermore, tariffs, quotas, rules of origin for preferential trade agreements, and food safety standards (e.g., residue limits, hygiene) are heavily influenced by this classification. Historically, global trade in fruits and nuts has been a cornerstone of nutrition and economic development, evolving with modern cold chain logistics to create complex international supply chains. Major headings cover specific fruit categories like 0803 for bananas, 0805 for citrus, 0808 for apples and pears, and 0813 for dried fruits.
What products fall under HS code 08?
Fresh Hass avocados, dried Medjool dates, shelled raw almonds, fresh navel oranges, frozen raspberries, unshelled walnuts, fresh ripe bananas, dried apricots, fresh Gala apples, peeled pistachios, fresh pineapples, dried cranberries, fresh limes, frozen mango chunks, fresh blueberries, dried figs, fresh red seedless grapes, fresh kiwifruit, provisionally preserved cherries in brine, candied orange peel, fresh lychees, Brazil nuts, fresh pomegranates, dried prunes, fresh papayas
What are common misclassifications for HS code 08?
Traders often misclassify products under Chapter 08 by failing to distinguish between minimally processed and prepared items. A common mistake is confusing goods classified here with those in Chapter 20 ('Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants'). For example, fresh strawberries fall under 0810, but strawberry jam or canned strawberries belong to Chapter 20 because they are 'prepared' beyond simple preservation. Another frequent error involves Chapter 12 ('Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder'). If almonds are imported for oil extraction, they might fall under Chapter 12, whereas almonds for direct consumption are in Chapter 08. Similarly, botanically fruit but culinarily vegetable items (e.g., tomatoes, cucumbers) belong to Chapter 07, not Chapter 08, which is exclusively for botanical fruits and nuts.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 08?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 08 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($18.0B, 9.9% of world exports), Spain ($13.2B) and the Netherlands ($10.5B). World exports came to about $182.9B, 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 08?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 08 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($25.7B, 13% of world imports), China ($20.7B) and Germany ($16.3B). World imports came to about $191.6B, 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 08 structured?
HS code 08 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.