HS Code Heading

Vegetable saps and extracts; pectic substances, pectinates and pectates; agar-agar and other mucilages and thickeners, whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products

13.02 Heading
Section II — Vegetable products

About HS Code 1302

Heading 1302 encompasses a broad category of processed vegetable derivatives, including saps and extracts, pectic substances, pectinates, pectates, agar-agar, and other mucilages and thickeners, whether or not chemically modified. This classification is vital for plant-derived products that have undergone extraction or concentration processes, distinguishing them from raw plant materials (e.g., Chapter 06-12) or natural, unprocessed exudates (1301). The scope covers a wide array of products used across industries, from food and pharmaceuticals to cosmetics and industrial applications. Key sub-categories include concentrated plant extracts (like licorice or pyrethrum), gelling agents (like pectin and agar-agar), and viscosity modifiers (like guar gum). The phrase 'whether or not modified' is crucial, allowing for chemical alterations that enhance functionality while retaining the vegetable origin. This classification is critical for trade compliance due to varying regulations concerning food additives, medicinal ingredients, and industrial chemicals. As part of Section II, 'Vegetable Products,' and Chapter 13, this heading highlights the transformation of raw botanical matter into functional compounds, emphasizing their refined nature and diverse applications.

Products Under This Code

Aloe vera extract, licorice extract, cannabis extract (industrial, non-psychoactive), pyrethrum extract, hop extract, malt extract, opium sap (medicinal), agar-agar, carrageenan, pectin, sodium alginate, guar gum, locust bean gum, ghatti gum, quince seed mucilage, modified starch (as thickener, if derived directly from vegetable products), ginseng extract, stevia extract, ginkgo biloba extract, artichoke extract, chicory extract, soya lecithin (crude), psyllium mucilage, xanthan gum (vegetable origin), gum acacia extract.

Real World Examples

Mexico and China are significant exporters of aloe vera extract to the United States and Europe, where it is widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and health drink formulations, often shipped in bulk containers. Brazil and Italy are major producers of pectin, exporting it globally to countries like Germany and Japan for use as a gelling agent in jams, jellies, and confectionery products, typically via ocean freight. Furthermore, Indonesia and Chile export agar-agar to Japan and other Asian countries, where it is a staple in food processing, microbiology, and even traditional desserts, transported across the Pacific Ocean.

Common Misclassification

Common misclassification errors for HS 1302 often involve confusion with essential oils (3301), which are distinct volatile aromatic compounds, not saps or extracts. Traders might also mistakenly classify pharmaceutical preparations (Chapter 30) or food preparations (Chapter 21) containing these extracts, overlooking that 1302 covers the extract itself, not the finished product. Another error is classifying natural gums and resins (1301) as extracts, failing to recognize the processing difference. The key distinction for 1302 is the 'extracted' or 'concentrated' nature of the vegetable substance, often resulting in a more refined or functional product than the raw botanical material or simple exudate.

Subheadings 9

Industry

This code belongs to the Agriculture & Live Animals industry.

Trade Overview

Trade in goods under HS 1302 is truly global. Major producers of specific extracts often align with the botanical source regions (e.g., aloe vera from Mexico, pectin from fruit-growing regions like Brazil or Italy, agar-agar from seaweed-rich coastlines like Indonesia or Chile). Major importers are industrialized nations worldwide, including the United States, the European Union, Japan, and China, driven by their large food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Regulations often focus on food safety, purity, and specific ingredient labeling requirements. Tariffs can vary, but quality certifications and compliance with national food and drug administrations are critical for market access and consumer confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 1302?

HS code 1302 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vegetable saps and extracts; pectic substances, pectinates and pectates; agar-agar and other mucilages and thickeners, whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products. Heading 1302 encompasses a broad category of processed vegetable derivatives, including saps and extracts, pectic substances, pectinates, pectates, agar-agar, and other mucilages and thickeners, whether or not chemically modified. This classification is vital for plant-derived products that have undergone extraction or concentration processes, distinguishing them from raw plant materials (e.g., Chapter 06-12) or natural, unprocessed exudates (1301). The scope covers a wide array of products used across industries, from food and pharmaceuticals to cosmetics and industrial applications. Key sub-categories include concentrated plant extracts (like licorice or pyrethrum), gelling agents (like pectin and agar-agar), and viscosity modifiers (like guar gum). The phrase 'whether or not modified' is crucial, allowing for chemical alterations that enhance functionality while retaining the vegetable origin. This classification is critical for trade compliance due to varying regulations concerning food additives, medicinal ingredients, and industrial chemicals. As part of Section II, 'Vegetable Products,' and Chapter 13, this heading highlights the transformation of raw botanical matter into functional compounds, emphasizing their refined nature and diverse applications.

What products fall under HS code 1302?

Aloe vera extract, licorice extract, cannabis extract (industrial, non-psychoactive), pyrethrum extract, hop extract, malt extract, opium sap (medicinal), agar-agar, carrageenan, pectin, sodium alginate, guar gum, locust bean gum, ghatti gum, quince seed mucilage, modified starch (as thickener, if derived directly from vegetable products), ginseng extract, stevia extract, ginkgo biloba extract, artichoke extract, chicory extract, soya lecithin (crude), psyllium mucilage, xanthan gum (vegetable origin), gum acacia extract.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 1302?

Common misclassification errors for HS 1302 often involve confusion with essential oils (3301), which are distinct volatile aromatic compounds, not saps or extracts. Traders might also mistakenly classify pharmaceutical preparations (Chapter 30) or food preparations (Chapter 21) containing these extracts, overlooking that 1302 covers the extract itself, not the finished product. Another error is classifying natural gums and resins (1301) as extracts, failing to recognize the processing difference. The key distinction for 1302 is the 'extracted' or 'concentrated' nature of the vegetable substance, often resulting in a more refined or functional product than the raw botanical material or simple exudate.

Which countries trade the most under HS code 1302?

Trade in goods under HS 1302 is truly global. Major producers of specific extracts often align with the botanical source regions (e.g., aloe vera from Mexico, pectin from fruit-growing regions like Brazil or Italy, agar-agar from seaweed-rich coastlines like Indonesia or Chile). Major importers are industrialized nations worldwide, including the United States, the European Union, Japan, and China, driven by their large food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Regulations often focus on food safety, purity, and specific ingredient labeling requirements. Tariffs can vary, but quality certifications and compliance with national food and drug administrations are critical for market access and consumer confidence.

How is HS code 1302 structured?

HS code 1302 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 13 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (13) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (02) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.