Product classification
HS code for Loose leaf black tea: 0902.40
Tea, black, (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg.
Classification of loose leaf black tea under HS 0902.40
Loose leaf black tea is classified under HS code 0902.40 when it is imported or exported in immediate packings with a content exceeding 3 kilograms. The Harmonized System classifies tea based on two primary criteria: the level of fermentation and the weight of the packaging. Black tea is defined as tea that has undergone a full fermentation process (or is partly fermented, such as Oolong). The 0902.40 code is specifically designated for bulk shipments. This classification is essential for customs authorities to distinguish between raw commodity tea intended for industrial blending or repackaging and retail-ready products. The 3kg threshold is a standard international dividing line used to separate wholesale trade from consumer-packaged goods.
- Covers
- Bulk fermented black tea
- Bulk Oolong tea (partly fermented)
- Loose leaf black tea in sacks exceeding 3kg
- Unflavored bulk black tea leaves
- CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) black tea in industrial packaging
- Also under 0902.40
- Lipton (bulk supply)
- Unilever (for various brands)
- Tata Consumer Products (bulk)
- Taylors of Harrogate (bulk sourcing)
- Ahmad Tea (bulk sourcing)
Codes often confused with 0902.40
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is using HS code 0902.30, which is for black tea in packings of 3kg or less. Importers often default to 0902.30 for all black tea, but the packaging weight is a strict legal requirement for 0902.40. Another error involves green tea, which falls under 0902.10 or 0902.20 because it is unfermented. Furthermore, if the tea is heavily mixed with other dried herbs or fruits where the tea is no longer the essential character, it might be classified under 2106.90 as a food preparation rather than a pure tea product.
Top exporters and importers of HS 090240 (the code used for loose leaf black tea), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 090240 (the code used for loose leaf black tea) in UN Comtrade data was Kenya, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Pakistan, with 17% 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 090240, not only loose leaf black tea.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Kenya $1.4B 38% of world exports
- 2 India $776M 21% of world exports
- 3 Sri Lanka $660M 18% of world exports
World total: $3.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Pakistan $614M 17% of world imports
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$309M 8.5% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 United Kingdom $248M 6.8% of world imports
World total: $3.6B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 loose leaf black tea
Brazil classifies loose leaf black tea under NCM 0902.40.00: HS 0902.40 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about loose leaf black tea
What is the HS code for Loose leaf black tea?
The HS code for Loose leaf black tea is 090240 (Tea, black; (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg). For bulk loose leaf black tea in packings over 3kg, the HS code is 0902.40.
How do I classify Loose leaf black tea for customs?
Loose leaf black tea is classified under HS code 090240 — Tea, black; (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include Oolong tea?
Yes, the Harmonized System groups partly fermented Oolong tea under the same subheadings as fully fermented black tea.
Which countries are the top exporters of loose leaf black tea (HS 090240)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 090240 (the code used for loose leaf black tea) in UN Comtrade data were Kenya ($1.4B, 38% of world exports), India ($776M) and Sri Lanka ($660M). World exports came to about $3.6B, 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 loose leaf black tea (HS 090240)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 090240 (the code used for loose leaf black tea) in UN Comtrade data were Pakistan ($614M, 17% of world imports), the United Arab Emirates (about $309M) and the United Kingdom ($248M). World imports came to about $3.6B, 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 Loose leaf black tea the same in all countries?
The base HS code 090240 for Loose leaf black tea 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 loose leaf black tea in Brazil?
In Brazil, loose leaf black tea (HS 090240) is classified under NCM 0902.40.00.