HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0909.21 – Spices; coriander seeds, neither crushed nor ground
HS code 0909.21 is the 6-digit subheading for spices, coriander seeds, neither crushed nor ground. It is used for whole coriander seeds, unground coriander seeds, dried coriander seeds, premium whole coriander and organic whole coriander.
What HS 0909.21 covers
HS code 090921 covers whole coriander seeds, which are neither crushed nor ground, making them a fundamental commodity in the global spice trade. India, Russia, and Morocco are among the largest producers and exporters of these versatile seeds. Whole coriander seeds are traded for a wide range of applications, including direct culinary use in various cuisines, as a key ingredient in spice blends and pickling, for the extraction of essential oils, and in traditional medicine. Major importers include the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and countries in the Middle East, where demand for both whole and processed coriander is consistently high. Key trade considerations involve the size, color, and aromatic quality of the seeds, as well as adherence to food safety standards and certifications for organic or sustainably sourced products.
- Covers
- Whole coriander seeds
- Unground coriander seeds
- Dried coriander seeds
- Premium whole coriander
- Organic whole coriander
- Examples
- Spice Islands Whole Coriander Seeds
- Simply Organic Whole Coriander Seeds
- Frontier Co-op Whole Coriander Seeds
- Badia Whole Coriander Seeds
Codes often confused with 0909.21
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 090922 (crushed or ground coriander seeds) due to processing state; fresh coriander leaves (cilantro) are classified under Chapter 7.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 090921, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 090921 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 10% 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 $57M 27% of world exports
- 2 Italy $36M 17% of world exports
- 3 Russia* ~$29M 14% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $208M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Malaysia $20M 10% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $19M 9.9% of world imports
- 3 India $13M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $196M 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 0909.21
Brazil does not split HS 0909.21: its NCM code is 0909.21.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 09.09 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0909.21
What is HS code 090921?
HS code 090921 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Spices; coriander seeds, neither crushed nor ground. HS code 090921 covers whole coriander seeds, which are neither crushed nor ground, making them a fundamental commodity in the global spice trade. India, Russia, and Morocco are among the largest producers and exporters of these versatile seeds. Whole coriander seeds are traded for a wide range of applications, including direct culinary use in various cuisines, as a key ingredient in spice blends and pickling, for the extraction of essential oils, and in traditional medicine. Major importers include the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and countries in the Middle East, where demand for both whole and processed coriander is consistently high. Key trade considerations involve the size, color, and aromatic quality of the seeds, as well as adherence to food safety standards and certifications for organic or sustainably sourced products.
What products fall under HS code 090921?
Whole coriander seeds, unground coriander seeds, dried coriander seeds, premium whole coriander, organic whole coriander
What are common misclassifications for HS code 090921?
This code can be confused with 090922 (crushed or ground coriander seeds) due to processing state; fresh coriander leaves (cilantro) are classified under Chapter 7.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 090921?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 090921 in UN Comtrade data were India ($57M, 27% of world exports), Italy ($36M) and Russia (about $29M). World exports came to about $208M, 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 090921?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 090921 in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($20M, 10% of world imports), Indonesia ($19M) and India ($13M). World imports came to about $196M, 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 090921 structured?
HS code 090921 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (09) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) 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 090921?
In Brazil, HS code 090921 is NCM 0909.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.