HS Code 13.02 – Vegetable saps and extracts; pectic substances, pectinates and pectates; agar-agar and other mucilages and thickeners, whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products

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.

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.

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.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 1302 in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.2B, 25% of world exports), India ($1.1B) and Germany ($705M). World exports came to about $8.7B, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 1302 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.6B, 20% of world imports), Germany ($653M) and France ($356M). World imports came to about $8.1B, 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.

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.