HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0908.31 – Spices; cardamoms, neither crushed nor ground
HS code 0908.31 is the 6-digit subheading for spices, cardamoms, neither crushed nor ground. It is used for whole green cardamom pods, whole black cardamom pods, unground cardamom, dried cardamom pods and premium whole cardamom.
What HS 0908.31 covers
HS code 090831 covers whole cardamom pods, which are neither crushed nor ground, making them a premium commodity in the global spice trade. Guatemala and India are the dominant producers and exporters of this highly aromatic spice. Whole cardamom is traded for its intense flavor and fragrance, used extensively in culinary applications, particularly in Middle Eastern, Nordic, and Indian cuisines, as well as in beverages like coffee and tea, and traditional medicine. Major importers include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and countries in Europe and North America, where demand for high-quality, intact pods is strong. Key trade considerations involve the color, size, and plumpness of the pods, which indicate freshness and volatile oil content. Sustainable harvesting and fair trade practices are increasingly important for buyers seeking ethically sourced products.
- Covers
- Whole green cardamom pods
- Whole black cardamom pods
- Unground cardamom
- Dried cardamom pods
- Premium whole cardamom
- Organic whole cardamom
- Examples
- Spice Islands Whole Green Cardamom
- Simply Organic Whole Green Cardamom
- Frontier Co-op Whole Green Cardamom
- Badia Whole Green Cardamom
Codes often confused with 0908.31
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 090832 (crushed or ground cardamoms) due to processing state; whole cardamom seeds without the pod would also fall here.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 090831, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 090831 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 26% 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 $375M 37% of world exports
- 2 Guatemala $372M 37% of world exports
- 3 Nepal* ~$65M 6.5% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $277M 26% of world imports
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$203M 19% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 India $89M 8.3% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 0908.31
Brazil does not split HS 0908.31: its NCM code is 0908.31.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 09.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0908.31
What is HS code 090831?
HS code 090831 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Spices; cardamoms, neither crushed nor ground. HS code 090831 covers whole cardamom pods, which are neither crushed nor ground, making them a premium commodity in the global spice trade. Guatemala and India are the dominant producers and exporters of this highly aromatic spice. Whole cardamom is traded for its intense flavor and fragrance, used extensively in culinary applications, particularly in Middle Eastern, Nordic, and Indian cuisines, as well as in beverages like coffee and tea, and traditional medicine. Major importers include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and countries in Europe and North America, where demand for high-quality, intact pods is strong. Key trade considerations involve the color, size, and plumpness of the pods, which indicate freshness and volatile oil content. Sustainable harvesting and fair trade practices are increasingly important for buyers seeking ethically sourced products.
What products fall under HS code 090831?
Whole green cardamom pods, whole black cardamom pods, unground cardamom, dried cardamom pods, premium whole cardamom, organic whole cardamom
What are common misclassifications for HS code 090831?
This code can be confused with 090832 (crushed or ground cardamoms) due to processing state; whole cardamom seeds without the pod would also fall here.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 090831?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 090831 in UN Comtrade data were India ($375M, 37% of world exports), Guatemala ($372M) and Nepal (about $65M). World exports came to about $1.0B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 090831?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 090831 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($277M, 26% of world imports), the United Arab Emirates (about $203M) and India ($89M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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 090831 structured?
HS code 090831 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (09) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 090831?
In Brazil, HS code 090831 is NCM 0908.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.