HS Code for Blueberries

Blueberries are classified under HS code 081040, which covers fresh fruits of the genus Vaccinium. This includes not only the common cultivated blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and the wild lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) but also bilberries and cranberries. Chapter 08 is dedicated to edible fruit and nuts, as well as the peel of citrus fruit or melons. Heading 0810 is a residual category for \"other fruit, fresh,\" meaning fruits that are not specifically named in earlier headings like 0801 through 0809. Subheading 081040 specifically groups these berries together due to their botanical relationship. For a product to be classified here, it must be fresh. This means the berries have not been cooked, frozen, or preserved in a way that changes their character from a fresh state. They may be chilled to maintain freshness during transport, but they must not be frozen. The classification is vital for agricultural statistics, the application of phytosanitary regulations, and the determination of seasonal tariffs that often apply to fresh produce.

Products Included

• Fresh cultivated blueberries
• Fresh wild blueberries (lowbush)
• Fresh bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus)
• Fresh cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
• Fresh cowberries or lingonberries
• Chilled blueberries (not frozen)

Common Misclassification

The most common misclassification for blueberries is HS code 081190, which covers frozen fruit. If the blueberries have been frozen, even without added sugar, they must be moved from 0810 to 0811. Another error involves HS code 081290 for fruit provisionally preserved (for example, by sulfur dioxide gas) but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption. Dried blueberries are classified under HS code 081340. Furthermore, if the blueberries are prepared or preserved in syrup or as jams, they are classified in Chapter 20, specifically under headings like 2007 or 2008. It is also important not to confuse them with other berries like raspberries or blackberries, which fall under 081020.

FAQ

What is the HS code for blueberries?

Fresh blueberries are classified under HS code 081040.

What code is used if the blueberries are frozen?

Frozen blueberries are classified under HS code 081190, as Chapter 08 distinguishes between fresh and frozen states.