HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 09.01 – Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated; husks and skins; coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion
What HS 09.01 covers
HS Code 0901 covers coffee in all its primary forms: whether or not roasted or decaffeinated, its husks and skins, and coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion. This heading is a cornerstone of global commodity trade, representing one of the most widely consumed beverages. Its scope is broad, encompassing green (unroasted) coffee beans, which are the raw material for most coffee-producing nations, as well as roasted whole beans or ground coffee ready for brewing. Decaffeinated coffee, regardless of its processing stage, also falls here. Importantly, by-products like coffee husks and skins, often used for fuel, fertilizer, or even as a tea-like beverage, are included. Coffee substitutes are only covered if they contain actual coffee, differentiating them from pure chicory or other coffee alternatives classified elsewhere. This classification is vital for trade compliance due to the significant economic value and varying tariffs often applied based on the processing stage (green vs. roasted) and origin. Historically, coffee's trade routes have shaped global economies and cultures for centuries. As part of Chapter 9, 'Coffee, tea, mate and spices,' it highlights its role as a stimulant beverage and a key agricultural commodity, distinct from other food preparations.
- Covers
- Unroasted Arabica coffee beans
- Roasted Robusta ground coffee
- Decaffeinated whole bean coffee
- Green coffee beans (washed process)
- Roasted espresso beans
- Instant coffee containing coffee
- Coffee cherry husks
- Coffee bean silver skins
- Unroasted Liberica coffee
- Ground decaffeinated coffee
- Coffee substitutes with 50% coffee
- Whole roasted Arabica beans
- Flavored roasted coffee (where coffee predominates)
- Organic green coffee beans
- Coffee parchment (husks)
- Roasted Colombian Supremo beans
- Decaffeinated ground coffee
- Instant decaffeinated coffee containing coffee
- Coffee chaff
- Roasted Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
- Green Robusta coffee beans
- Whole roasted French roast coffee
- Ground Turkish coffee (100% coffee)
- Coffee flower tea (husks)
- Coffee substitutes with 10% coffee
- Examples
A major coffee roaster in Germany imports thousands of tons of unroasted Arabica coffee beans from Brazil and Colombia, shipped in bulk via ocean freight, to supply their European market. Simultaneously, a Japanese beverage company imports large quantities of roasted Robusta coffee from Vietnam to produce instant coffee products for the Asian market, leveraging efficient container shipping routes. Furthermore, a specialty coffee distributor in Canada sources small batches of decaffeinated whole bean coffee from Ethiopia, often air-freighted, to cater to niche consumer demands for high-quality, specialty decaf options.
Subheadings under 09.01 5
Codes often confused with 09.01
Common mistake. Misclassifications under HS 0901 frequently arise with highly processed coffee products or non-coffee substitutes. Instant coffee that is purely an 'extract, essence or concentrate' and does not contain actual coffee particles, or soluble coffee preparations, should be classified under HS 2101, not 0901. Similarly, roasted chicory and other roasted coffee substitutes (e.g., barley, dandelion root) that do not contain any coffee are also classified under HS 2101. A common mistake is to classify coffee extracts or essences (HS 2101) under 0901, overlooking that 0901 is for the raw or simply roasted/decaffeinated bean, husks, or initial blends, not concentrated preparations.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 0901, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 0901 in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% of world imports. Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 2.2% of its exports here ($92M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $14.9B 21% of world exports
- 2 Colombia $6.0B 8.5% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$5.9B 8.4% of world exports · partner records ↗
Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 2.2% of its exports here ($92M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $70.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $12.8B 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $7.8B 11% of world imports
- 3 Italy $4.6B 6.5% of world imports
World total: $70.0B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 09.01
What is HS code 0901?
HS code 0901 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated; husks and skins; coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion. HS Code 0901 covers coffee in all its primary forms: whether or not roasted or decaffeinated, its husks and skins, and coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion. This heading is a cornerstone of global commodity trade, representing one of the most widely consumed beverages. Its scope is broad, encompassing green (unroasted) coffee beans, which are the raw material for most coffee-producing nations, as well as roasted whole beans or ground coffee ready for brewing. Decaffeinated coffee, regardless of its processing stage, also falls here. Importantly, by-products like coffee husks and skins, often used for fuel, fertilizer, or even as a tea-like beverage, are included. Coffee substitutes are only covered if they contain actual coffee, differentiating them from pure chicory or other coffee alternatives classified elsewhere. This classification is vital for trade compliance due to the significant economic value and varying tariffs often applied based on the processing stage (green vs. roasted) and origin. Historically, coffee's trade routes have shaped global economies and cultures for centuries. As part of Chapter 9, 'Coffee, tea, mate and spices,' it highlights its role as a stimulant beverage and a key agricultural commodity, distinct from other food preparations.
What products fall under HS code 0901?
Unroasted Arabica coffee beans, roasted Robusta ground coffee, decaffeinated whole bean coffee, green coffee beans (washed process), roasted espresso beans, instant coffee containing coffee, coffee cherry husks, coffee bean silver skins, unroasted Liberica coffee, ground decaffeinated coffee, coffee substitutes with 50% coffee, whole roasted Arabica beans, flavored roasted coffee (where coffee predominates), organic green coffee beans, coffee parchment (husks), roasted Colombian Supremo beans, decaffeinated ground coffee, instant decaffeinated coffee containing coffee, coffee chaff, roasted Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, green Robusta coffee beans, whole roasted French roast coffee, ground Turkish coffee (100% coffee), coffee flower tea (husks), coffee substitutes with 10% coffee
What are common misclassifications for HS code 0901?
Misclassifications under HS 0901 frequently arise with highly processed coffee products or non-coffee substitutes. Instant coffee that is purely an 'extract, essence or concentrate' and does not contain actual coffee particles, or soluble coffee preparations, should be classified under HS 2101, not 0901. Similarly, roasted chicory and other roasted coffee substitutes (e.g., barley, dandelion root) that do not contain any coffee are also classified under HS 2101. A common mistake is to classify coffee extracts or essences (HS 2101) under 0901, overlooking that 0901 is for the raw or simply roasted/decaffeinated bean, husks, or initial blends, not concentrated preparations.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 0901?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 0901 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($14.9B, 21% of world exports), Colombia ($6.0B) and Vietnam (about $5.9B). World exports came to about $70.3B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 2.2% of its exports here ($92M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 0901?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 0901 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($12.8B, 18% of world imports), Germany ($7.8B) and Italy ($4.6B). World imports came to about $70.0B, 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 0901 structured?
HS code 0901 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 09 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (09) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (01) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.