Product classification
HS code for Limes: 0805.50
Fruit, edible, lemons (Citrus limon, Citrus limonum), limes (Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus latifolia), fresh or dried.
Classification of limes under HS 0805.50
Limes are classified under HS code 0805.50, which specifically covers lemons and limes within the broader category of citrus fruits. This classification is determined by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1, which dictates that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Chapter 08 covers edible fruit and nuts, and heading 0805 is dedicated to citrus fruit, fresh or dried. The subheading 0805.50 is further subdivided in many national tariffs to distinguish between lemons (Citrus limon, Citrus limonum) and limes (Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus latifolia). Whether the fruit is imported for direct consumption, juice extraction, or zest production, it remains under this code as long as it is fresh or dried and has not been processed by cooking, freezing, or preservation in sugar.
- Covers
- Fresh Persian limes (Citrus latifolia)
- Fresh Key limes (Citrus aurantifolia)
- Dried whole limes used in Middle Eastern cuisine
- Kaffir limes (Citrus hystrix) when imported as fresh fruit
- Seedless and seeded lime varieties
- Also under 0805.50
- Sunkist lemons
- Limoneira lemons
- Mexican limes
- Dole limes
Codes often confused with 0805.50
Common mistake. Limes are frequently misclassified under HS code 0805.90, which is a residual category for "other" citrus fruits. However, because limes are explicitly mentioned in the description for 0805.50, they must be classified there. Another common error involves preserved limes; if limes are preserved in brine, sulfur water, or other preservative solutions for short-term transport, they move to 0812.90. If they are prepared or preserved (e.g., candied or in syrup), they fall under heading 2006 or 2008. Frozen limes are classified under 0811.90, not 0805.50.
Top exporters and importers of HS 080550 (the code used for limes), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 080550 (the code used for limes) in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% 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 080550, not only limes.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $1.0B 22% of world exports
- 2 Mexico $732M 15% of world exports
- 3 South Africa $531M 11% of world exports
World total: $4.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.0B 20% of world imports
- 2 Germany $531M 10% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $401M 7.7% of world imports
World total: $5.2B 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 limes
Brazil classifies limes under NCM 0805.50.00: HS 0805.50 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about limes
What is the HS code for Limes?
The HS code for Limes is 080550 (Fruit, edible; lemons (Citrus limon, Citrus limonum), limes (Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus latifolia), fresh or dried). The primary HS code for limes, whether fresh or dried, is 0805.50.
How do I classify Limes for customs?
Limes is classified under HS code 080550 — Fruit, edible; lemons (Citrus limon, Citrus limonum), limes (Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus latifolia), fresh or dried. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include lime peel?
No, lime peel, whether fresh, frozen, or dried, is classified under HS code 0814.00, which specifically covers the peel of citrus fruits or melons.
Which countries are the top exporters of limes (HS 080550)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 080550 (the code used for limes) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($1.0B, 22% of world exports), Mexico ($732M) and South Africa ($531M). World exports came to about $4.8B, 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 limes (HS 080550)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 080550 (the code used for limes) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.0B, 20% of world imports), Germany ($531M) and the Netherlands ($401M). World imports came to about $5.2B, 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 Limes the same in all countries?
The base HS code 080550 for Limes 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 limes in Brazil?
In Brazil, limes (HS 080550) is classified under NCM 0805.50.00.