HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0909.61 – Spices; seeds of anise, badian, caraway or fennel; juniper berries, neither crushed nor ground
HS code 0909.61 is the 6-digit subheading for spices, seeds of anise, badian, caraway or fennel, juniper berries, neither crushed nor ground. It is used for whole anise seeds, whole star anise, whole caraway seeds, whole fennel seeds and whole juniper berries.
What HS 0909.61 covers
This diverse HS code encompasses several distinct whole spices: anise, badian (star anise), caraway, fennel seeds, and juniper berries, all in their uncrushed, unground state. Each spice has unique applications in global cuisine, beverages, and traditional medicine. Anise and fennel seeds are popular in baking and liqueurs, caraway in rye bread and cheeses, star anise in Asian cooking and spice blends, and juniper berries are crucial for gin production and savory dishes. International trade involves a wide network of producers, such as China for star anise, Egypt for anise, and various European countries for caraway and juniper. Importers range from food and beverage manufacturers to distilleries and herbal product companies worldwide. Key trade factors include the origin, essential oil content, and purity of each specific seed or berry.
- Covers
- Whole anise seeds
- Whole star anise
- Whole caraway seeds
- Whole fennel seeds
- Whole juniper berries
- Organic star anise
- Examples
- Frontier Co-op Whole Star Anise
- Simply Organic Caraway Seed
- McCormick Whole Fennel Seed
- Banyan Botanicals Fennel Seed
Codes often confused with 0909.61
Common mistake. Misclassification can occur between these individual spices if not clearly identified (e.g., caraway vs. cumin 090931), or with their crushed/ground counterparts (090962).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 090961, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 090961 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 17% 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 China $88M 24% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$59M 16% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 India $50M 14% of world exports
World total: $368M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $72M 17% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$56M 14% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $34M 8.2% of world imports
World total: $410M 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 codes for 0909.61 3
Brazil splits HS 0909.61 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 0909.61.10 Anise seeds, neither crushed nor groundDe anis (erva-doce)
- 0909.61.20 Star anise, neither crushed nor groundDe badiana (anis-estrelado)
- 0909.61.90 Fennel, caraway and juniper, not crushed or groundOutras
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 0909.61
What is HS code 090961?
HS code 090961 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Spices; seeds of anise, badian, caraway or fennel; juniper berries, neither crushed nor ground. This diverse HS code encompasses several distinct whole spices: anise, badian (star anise), caraway, fennel seeds, and juniper berries, all in their uncrushed, unground state. Each spice has unique applications in global cuisine, beverages, and traditional medicine. Anise and fennel seeds are popular in baking and liqueurs, caraway in rye bread and cheeses, star anise in Asian cooking and spice blends, and juniper berries are crucial for gin production and savory dishes. International trade involves a wide network of producers, such as China for star anise, Egypt for anise, and various European countries for caraway and juniper. Importers range from food and beverage manufacturers to distilleries and herbal product companies worldwide. Key trade factors include the origin, essential oil content, and purity of each specific seed or berry.
What products fall under HS code 090961?
Whole anise seeds, Whole star anise, Whole caraway seeds, Whole fennel seeds, Whole juniper berries, Organic star anise
What are common misclassifications for HS code 090961?
Misclassification can occur between these individual spices if not clearly identified (e.g., caraway vs. cumin 090931), or with their crushed/ground counterparts (090962).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 090961?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 090961 in UN Comtrade data were China ($88M, 24% of world exports), Vietnam (about $59M) and India ($50M). World exports came to about $368M, 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 090961?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 090961 in UN Comtrade data were India ($72M, 17% of world imports), Vietnam (about $56M) and Germany ($34M). World imports came to about $410M, 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 090961 structured?
HS code 090961 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 (61) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 090961?
Brazil splits HS code 090961 into 3 NCM codes: 0909.61.10 (Anise seeds, neither crushed nor ground), 0909.61.20 (Star anise, neither crushed nor ground), 0909.61.90 (Fennel, caraway and juniper, not crushed or ground). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.