HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0904.12 – Spices; pepper (of the genus piper), crushed or ground
HS code 0904.12 is the 6-digit subheading for spices, pepper (of the genus piper), crushed or ground. It is used for ground Black Pepper, white Pepper Powder, crushed Black Pepper, fine Ground Pepper and coarse Ground Pepper.
What HS 0904.12 covers
This HS code encompasses pepper from the *Piper* genus that has been processed by crushing or grinding, making it ready for direct culinary use or as an ingredient in food manufacturing. This includes ground black pepper, white pepper powder, and crushed green pepper. Exporters are often countries that also produce whole peppercorns, but increasingly, processing occurs in importing countries or regional hubs to meet specific market demands for freshness and quality control. Key importers are food processors, spice companies, and retail distributors in countries worldwide, particularly those with high consumption of processed foods and home cooking. Trade considerations include particle size, moisture content, microbial safety, and adulteration prevention. The market for ground pepper is vast, ranging from bulk industrial supply to consumer-packaged goods. Quality control and adherence to food safety standards are paramount in this segment, given its direct application in food.
- Covers
- Ground Black Pepper
- White Pepper Powder
- Crushed Black Pepper
- Fine Ground Pepper
- Coarse Ground Pepper
- Pepper Blend Seasoning
- Decorticated White Pepper Powder
- Examples
- McCormick Ground Black Pepper
- Simply Organic Ground White Pepper
- Badia Ground Black Pepper
- Trader Joe's Ground Black Pepper
- Schwartz Ground Black Pepper
Codes often confused with 0904.12
Common mistake. The primary confusion for this code is with 090411 (Pepper, neither crushed nor ground), as the distinction is solely based on whether the pepper has been processed. It should also not be confused with chili powders (Capsicum) under 090422.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 090412, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 090412 in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 50% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 27% 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 Vietnam* ~$439M 50% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 India $75M 8.6% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $52M 5.9% of world exports
World total: $877M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $234M 27% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $64M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 Japan $50M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $851M 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 0904.12
Brazil does not split HS 0904.12: its NCM code is 0904.12.00.
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 0904.12
What is HS code 090412?
HS code 090412 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Spices; pepper (of the genus piper), crushed or ground. This HS code encompasses pepper from the *Piper* genus that has been processed by crushing or grinding, making it ready for direct culinary use or as an ingredient in food manufacturing. This includes ground black pepper, white pepper powder, and crushed green pepper. Exporters are often countries that also produce whole peppercorns, but increasingly, processing occurs in importing countries or regional hubs to meet specific market demands for freshness and quality control. Key importers are food processors, spice companies, and retail distributors in countries worldwide, particularly those with high consumption of processed foods and home cooking. Trade considerations include particle size, moisture content, microbial safety, and adulteration prevention. The market for ground pepper is vast, ranging from bulk industrial supply to consumer-packaged goods. Quality control and adherence to food safety standards are paramount in this segment, given its direct application in food.
What products fall under HS code 090412?
Ground Black Pepper, White Pepper Powder, Crushed Black Pepper, Fine Ground Pepper, Coarse Ground Pepper, Pepper Blend Seasoning, Decorticated White Pepper Powder
What are common misclassifications for HS code 090412?
The primary confusion for this code is with 090411 (Pepper, neither crushed nor ground), as the distinction is solely based on whether the pepper has been processed. It should also not be confused with chili powders (Capsicum) under 090422.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 090412?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 090412 in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $439M, 50% of world exports), India ($75M) and the Netherlands ($52M). World exports came to about $877M, 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 090412?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 090412 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($234M, 27% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($64M) and Japan ($50M). World imports came to about $851M, 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 090412 structured?
HS code 090412 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 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 090412?
In Brazil, HS code 090412 is NCM 0904.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.