Product classification
HS code for Fruit in brine: 0812.90
Fruit, edible, fruit and nuts n.e.c. in heading no. 0812, provisionally preserved, but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption.
Classification of fruit in brine under HS 0812.90
Fruit in brine is classified under HS code 0812.90 because it represents fruit that has been provisionally preserved but is not yet ready for immediate consumption. Heading 0812 is reserved for fruit and nuts provisionally preserved (for example, by sulfur dioxide gas, in brine, in sulfur water, or in other preservative solutions), provided they remain unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption. This classification is critical because it distinguishes raw or provisionally treated fruit from fruit that has been fully processed or preserved for the end consumer. The provisionally preserved status implies that the fruit will undergo further processing, such as desalinization, sweetening, or cooking, before it is sold as a finished food product. Subheading 0812.90 serves as the category for various fruits not specifically named in other subheadings of 0812, such as cherries or strawberries. The preservation method must be temporary and intended for transport or storage prior to industrial use. If the fruit were edible directly from the container, it would move to a different chapter entirely, typically Chapter 20.
- Covers
- Cherries in brine (provisional)
- Citrus peel in brine or sulfur water
- Strawberries in sulfur dioxide gas
- Apricots in preservative solution for industrial use
- Provisionally preserved fruit pulp
- Fruit pieces in salt water for further processing
- Also under 0812.90
- Oregon Fruit Products Brined Peaches
- Del Monte Provisionally Preserved Apricots
- G. C. Evans Provisionally Preserved Pears
- F.lli De Cecco di Filippo Provisionally Preserved Citrus Peel
- Sunsweet (as a raw material supplier for provisionally preserved plums)
Codes often confused with 0812.90
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is under HS code 2008, which covers fruit otherwise prepared or preserved. The distinction lies in the suitability for immediate consumption; 2008 is for ready-to-eat products, while 0812 is for industrial intermediates. Another error is using 0811, which is for frozen fruit. If the fruit is preserved by cold rather than chemical solutions or brine, 0811 is the correct heading.
Top exporters and importers of HS 081290 (the code used for fruit in brine), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 081290 (the code used for fruit in brine) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 28% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 081290, not only fruit in brine.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $41M 25% of world exports
- 2 Spain $33M 20% of world exports
- 3 Dominican Republic $31M 19% of world exports
World total: $165M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $31M 28% of world imports
- 2 Austria $18M 16% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $15M 14% of world imports
World total: $112M 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 fruit in brine
Brazil classifies fruit in brine under NCM 0812.90.00: HS 0812.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fruit in brine
What is the HS code for Fruit in brine?
The HS code for Fruit in brine is 081290 (Fruit, edible; fruit and nuts n.e.c. in heading no. 0812, provisionally preserved, but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption). Fruit provisionally preserved in brine or other solutions is classified under HS code 0812.90.
How do I classify Fruit in brine for customs?
Fruit in brine is classified under HS code 081290 — Fruit, edible; fruit and nuts n.e.c. in heading no. 0812, provisionally preserved, but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can fruit in this category be eaten immediately?
No, by definition, items in heading 0812 must be unsuitable for immediate consumption in their current state.
Which countries are the top exporters of fruit in brine (HS 081290)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 081290 (the code used for fruit in brine) in UN Comtrade data were China ($41M, 25% of world exports), Spain ($33M) and the Dominican Republic ($31M). World exports came to about $165M, 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 fruit in brine (HS 081290)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 081290 (the code used for fruit in brine) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($31M, 28% of world imports), Austria ($18M) and the United Kingdom ($15M). World imports came to about $112M, 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.
Is the HS code for Fruit in brine the same in all countries?
The base HS code 081290 for Fruit in brine is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for fruit in brine in Brazil?
In Brazil, fruit in brine (HS 081290) is classified under NCM 0812.90.00.