HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0904.21 – Spices; fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, dried, neither crushed nor ground
HS code 0904.21 is the 6-digit subheading for spices, fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, dried, neither crushed nor ground. It is used for dried Whole Ancho Chilies, dried Whole Guajillo Chilies, dried Whole Chipotle Peppers, dried Whole Bird's Eye Chilies and dried Whole Allspice Berries.
What HS 0904.21 covers
This code covers whole, dried, uncrushed, and unground fruits from the *Capsicum* genus (chili peppers, bell peppers) and the *Pimenta* genus (allspice). These are traded as raw materials for the spice industry, food processing, and culinary use. Major exporters include countries with suitable climates for growing these plants, such as Mexico, China, India, and Peru for *Capsicum*, and Jamaica and Guatemala for *Pimenta*. Importers are typically food manufacturers, spice blenders, and distributors in countries globally, who will further process these dried fruits into powders, flakes, or extracts. Key trade considerations include heat level (Scoville units for chilies), color, aroma, and freedom from defects. The market values specific varieties for their unique flavor profiles and pungency. Quality control, including moisture content and absence of contaminants, is crucial for maintaining product integrity and safety.
- Covers
- Dried Whole Ancho Chilies
- Dried Whole Guajillo Chilies
- Dried Whole Chipotle Peppers
- Dried Whole Bird's Eye Chilies
- Dried Whole Allspice Berries
- Dried Whole Habanero Peppers
- Dried Whole Bell Peppers
- Examples
- Frontier Co-op (bulk dried chilies)
- Penzeys Spices (whole dried chilies)
- McCormick (bulk allspice)
- Simply Organic (whole dried chilies)
- Goya (dried peppers)
Codes often confused with 0904.21
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 090422 (Capsicum or Pimenta, crushed or ground) due to the processing state. It's also important to distinguish it from pepper of the *Piper* genus (black pepper) under 090411.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 090421, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 090421 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 65% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, 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 India $1.0B 65% of world exports
- 2 China $157M 10% of world exports
- 3 Peru* ~$132M 8.5% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $568M 31% of world imports
- 2 United States $228M 13% of world imports
- 3 Thailand $161M 8.9% of world imports
World total: $1.8B 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 0904.21
Brazil does not split HS 0904.21: its NCM code is 0904.21.00.
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 0904.21
What is HS code 090421?
HS code 090421 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Spices; fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, dried, neither crushed nor ground. This code covers whole, dried, uncrushed, and unground fruits from the *Capsicum* genus (chili peppers, bell peppers) and the *Pimenta* genus (allspice). These are traded as raw materials for the spice industry, food processing, and culinary use. Major exporters include countries with suitable climates for growing these plants, such as Mexico, China, India, and Peru for *Capsicum*, and Jamaica and Guatemala for *Pimenta*. Importers are typically food manufacturers, spice blenders, and distributors in countries globally, who will further process these dried fruits into powders, flakes, or extracts. Key trade considerations include heat level (Scoville units for chilies), color, aroma, and freedom from defects. The market values specific varieties for their unique flavor profiles and pungency. Quality control, including moisture content and absence of contaminants, is crucial for maintaining product integrity and safety.
What products fall under HS code 090421?
Dried Whole Ancho Chilies, Dried Whole Guajillo Chilies, Dried Whole Chipotle Peppers, Dried Whole Bird's Eye Chilies, Dried Whole Allspice Berries, Dried Whole Habanero Peppers, Dried Whole Bell Peppers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 090421?
This code is often confused with 090422 (Capsicum or Pimenta, crushed or ground) due to the processing state. It's also important to distinguish it from pepper of the *Piper* genus (black pepper) under 090411.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 090421?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 090421 in UN Comtrade data were India ($1.0B, 65% of world exports), China ($157M) and Peru (about $132M). World exports came to about $1.6B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 090421?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 090421 in UN Comtrade data were China ($568M, 31% of world imports), the United States ($228M) and Thailand ($161M). World imports came to about $1.8B, 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 090421 structured?
HS code 090421 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 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 090421?
In Brazil, HS code 090421 is NCM 0904.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.