Product classification
HS code for Mate tea: 0903.00
Mate.
Classification of mate tea under HS 0903.00
Mate tea, consisting of the dried leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis shrub, is classified under HS code 0903.00. This heading is a specific, single-level code dedicated entirely to "Mate." In the Harmonized System, Chapter 9 covers coffee, tea, mate, and spices. While mate is often consumed similarly to tea, it is botanically distinct from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) and therefore has its own dedicated heading rather than being grouped with green or black tea in heading 0902. The classification applies to mate in its raw, dried, crushed, or powdered form, provided it has not been further processed into an extract. This includes mate packaged for retail sale in tea bags or bulk containers. The classification is straightforward under GIR 1, as the heading 0903 specifically names the product. Even if the mate is flavored with small amounts of other herbs or oils, it generally remains in 0903.00 as long as it retains the essential character of mate.
- Covers
- Dried mate leaves (Yerba Mate)
- Crushed mate with stems (con palo)
- Mate powder (sin palo)
- Mate tea bags
- Also under 0903.00
- Cruz de Malta Yerba Mate
- Taragüi Yerba Mate
- Rosamonte Yerba Mate
- Guayakí Yerba Mate
- Canarias Yerba Mate
Codes often confused with 0903.00
Common mistake. Mate tea is frequently misclassified under HS code 0902.10 through 0902.40, which are the codes for true tea (Camellia sinensis). While colloquially called "tea," mate must be kept separate. It is also sometimes confused with HS code 1211.90, which covers plants and parts of plants used in perfumery or pharmacy; however, because mate is a recognized beverage material with its own heading in Chapter 9, 0903.00 is the correct and more specific code.
Top exporters and importers of HS 090300 (the code used for mate tea), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 090300 (the code used for mate tea) in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Syria, with about 36% 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 090300, not only mate tea.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $100M 42% of world exports
- 2 Argentina $100M 42% of world exports
- 3 Paraguay $15M 6.0% of world exports
World total: $240M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Syria* ~$90M 36% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Uruguay $67M 27% of world imports
- 3 Argentina $22M 9.0% of world imports
World total: $249M 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 codes for mate tea
Brazil splits HS 0903.00 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0903.00.10Yerba mate, dried and coarsely crushed
- 0903.00.90Other yerba mate
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about mate tea
What is the HS code for Mate tea?
The HS code for Mate tea is 090300 (Mate). The HS code for mate tea is 0903.00.
How do I classify Mate tea for customs?
Mate tea is classified under HS code 090300 — Mate. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is flavored mate tea classified differently?
Generally, no. If the product is primarily mate with minor flavoring agents, it remains under 0903.00. If it is a complex herbal blend where mate is not the dominant ingredient, it might move to 2106.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of mate tea (HS 090300)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 090300 (the code used for mate tea) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($100M, 42% of world exports), Argentina ($100M) and Paraguay ($15M). World exports came to about $240M, 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 mate tea (HS 090300)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 090300 (the code used for mate tea) in UN Comtrade data were Syria (about $90M, 36% of world imports), Uruguay ($67M) and Argentina ($22M). World imports came to about $249M, 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 Mate tea the same in all countries?
The base HS code 090300 for Mate 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 mate tea in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 090300 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for mate tea depends on the product's details: 0903.00.10 (Yerba mate, dried and coarsely crushed), 0903.00.90 (Other yerba mate).