HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0904.11 – Spices; pepper (of the genus piper), neither crushed nor ground
HS code 0904.11 is the 6-digit subheading for spices, pepper (of the genus piper), neither crushed nor ground. It is used for whole Black Peppercorns, whole White Peppercorns, whole Green Peppercorns, tellicherry Peppercorns and malabar Peppercorns.
What HS 0904.11 covers
This code covers whole, uncrushed, and unground peppercorns from the *Piper* genus, which includes black, white, and green pepper. These are primary agricultural commodities traded globally, forming the raw material for various culinary applications and further processing. Major exporters are tropical countries like Vietnam, India, Brazil, and Indonesia, where pepper vines are cultivated. Importers include food manufacturers, spice blenders, and distributors in developed economies such as the US, EU countries, and Japan, who then process or repackage it for retail and food service. Key considerations in this trade include origin, pungency (piperine content), cleanliness, and certifications like organic or fair trade. Price fluctuations are common due to weather conditions, harvest yields, and global demand. The quality of the whole peppercorn is critical, as it dictates the final product's flavor and aroma after grinding.
- Covers
- Whole Black Peppercorns
- Whole White Peppercorns
- Whole Green Peppercorns
- Tellicherry Peppercorns
- Malabar Peppercorns
- Sarawak Peppercorns
- Kampot Peppercorns
- Examples
- McCormick (bulk sourcing)
- Simply Organic (bulk sourcing)
- Frontier Co-op (bulk sourcing)
- Burlap & Barrel (specialty sourcing)
- Penzeys Spices (bulk sourcing)
Codes often confused with 0904.11
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 090412 (Pepper, crushed or ground) due to the processing state. It's also important not to confuse it with other "peppers" like chili peppers (Capsicum) which fall under 090421 or 090422.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 090411, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 090411 in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% 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 15% of its imports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Vietnam* ~$1.0B 44% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Brazil $509M 22% of world exports
- 3 Indonesia $235M 9.9% of world exports
World total: $2.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $378M 17% of world imports
- 2 India $246M 11% of world imports
- 3 Germany $192M 8.6% 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 15% of its imports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $2.2B 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.
Brazil NCM code for 0904.11
Brazil does not split HS 0904.11: its NCM code is 0904.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 09.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0904.11
What is HS code 090411?
HS code 090411 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Spices; pepper (of the genus piper), neither crushed nor ground. This code covers whole, uncrushed, and unground peppercorns from the *Piper* genus, which includes black, white, and green pepper. These are primary agricultural commodities traded globally, forming the raw material for various culinary applications and further processing. Major exporters are tropical countries like Vietnam, India, Brazil, and Indonesia, where pepper vines are cultivated. Importers include food manufacturers, spice blenders, and distributors in developed economies such as the US, EU countries, and Japan, who then process or repackage it for retail and food service. Key considerations in this trade include origin, pungency (piperine content), cleanliness, and certifications like organic or fair trade. Price fluctuations are common due to weather conditions, harvest yields, and global demand. The quality of the whole peppercorn is critical, as it dictates the final product's flavor and aroma after grinding.
What products fall under HS code 090411?
Whole Black Peppercorns, Whole White Peppercorns, Whole Green Peppercorns, Tellicherry Peppercorns, Malabar Peppercorns, Sarawak Peppercorns, Kampot Peppercorns
What are common misclassifications for HS code 090411?
This code is often confused with 090412 (Pepper, crushed or ground) due to the processing state. It's also important not to confuse it with other "peppers" like chili peppers (Capsicum) which fall under 090421 or 090422.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 090411?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 090411 in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $1.0B, 44% of world exports), Brazil ($509M) and Indonesia ($235M). World exports came to about $2.4B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 090411?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 090411 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($378M, 17% of world imports), India ($246M) and Germany ($192M). World imports came to about $2.2B, 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 15% of its imports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 090411 structured?
HS code 090411 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (09) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 090411?
In Brazil, HS code 090411 is NCM 0904.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.