HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0909.31 – Spices; cumin seeds, neither crushed nor ground

HS code 0909.31 is the 6-digit subheading for spices, cumin seeds, neither crushed nor ground. It is used for whole cumin seeds, organic whole cumin, black cumin seeds, cumin for pickling and cumin for spice blends.

What HS 0909.31 covers

This HS code pertains to whole cumin seeds, which are neither crushed nor ground. Cumin is a globally significant spice, integral to the culinary traditions of India, Mexico, the Middle East, and North Africa, where it's used in curries, stews, breads, and spice blends. International trade in whole cumin involves major producers like India, Syria, Turkey, and Iran, supplying a diverse range of importers including food manufacturers, spice packagers, and ethnic food distributors in countries such as the United States, the European Union, and Japan. Key factors in trade include the seed's origin, color, aroma, and purity, as well as its essential oil content, which dictates its flavor intensity. Buyers often seek specific varieties like 'white' or 'black' cumin for distinct applications.

Covers
  • Whole cumin seeds
  • Organic whole cumin
  • Black cumin seeds
  • Cumin for pickling
  • Cumin for spice blends
Examples
  • Frontier Co-op Whole Cumin Seed
  • Simply Organic Cumin Seed
  • Sadaf Whole Cumin
  • Shan Whole Cumin

Codes often confused with 0909.31

Common mistake. Often confused with crushed or ground cumin seeds (090932) if the processing state isn't clearly declared, or with caraway seeds (090961) due to visual similarity.

0909.32Spices; cumin seeds, crushed or ground0909.61Spices; seeds of anise, badian, caraway or fennel; juniper berries, neither crushed nor ground

Top exporters and importers of HS code 090931, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 090931 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 83% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Arab Emirates, with about 14% 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. 1 India $506M
  2. 2 Afghanistan* ~$20M
  3. 3 Türkiye $13M

World total: $607M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United Arab Emirates* ~$87M
  2. 2 Bangladesh* ~$80M
  3. 3 Pakistan $49M

World total: $644M 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 0909.31

Brazil does not split HS 0909.31: its NCM code is 0909.31.00.

  1. 0909.31.00 Cumin seeds, neither crushed nor groundNão trituradas nem em pó

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 0909.31

What is HS code 090931?

HS code 090931 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Spices; cumin seeds, neither crushed nor ground. This HS code pertains to whole cumin seeds, which are neither crushed nor ground. Cumin is a globally significant spice, integral to the culinary traditions of India, Mexico, the Middle East, and North Africa, where it's used in curries, stews, breads, and spice blends. International trade in whole cumin involves major producers like India, Syria, Turkey, and Iran, supplying a diverse range of importers including food manufacturers, spice packagers, and ethnic food distributors in countries such as the United States, the European Union, and Japan. Key factors in trade include the seed's origin, color, aroma, and purity, as well as its essential oil content, which dictates its flavor intensity. Buyers often seek specific varieties like 'white' or 'black' cumin for distinct applications.

What products fall under HS code 090931?

Whole cumin seeds, Organic whole cumin, Black cumin seeds, Cumin for pickling, Cumin for spice blends

What are common misclassifications for HS code 090931?

Often confused with crushed or ground cumin seeds (090932) if the processing state isn't clearly declared, or with caraway seeds (090961) due to visual similarity.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 090931?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 090931 in UN Comtrade data were India ($506M, 83% of world exports), Afghanistan (about $20M) and Türkiye ($13M). World exports came to about $607M, 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 090931?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 090931 in UN Comtrade data were the United Arab Emirates (about $87M, 14% of world imports), Bangladesh (about $80M) and Pakistan ($49M). World imports came to about $644M, 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 090931 structured?

HS code 090931 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 090931?

In Brazil, HS code 090931 is NCM 0909.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.