Product classification
HS code for Sour cherries: 0809.21
Fruit, edible, sour cherries (Prunus cerasus), fresh.
Classification of sour cherries under HS 0809.21
Sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) are classified under HS code 0809.21. Chapter 8 of the Harmonized System is dedicated to edible fruit and nuts. Heading 0809 specifically covers stone fruit, including apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, and sloes. Within this heading, the HS nomenclature distinguishes between sour cherries (0809.21) and other cherries (0809.29), which primarily includes sweet cherries like Prunus avium. This distinction is based on the botanical variety of the fruit. To be classified under 0809.21, the cherries must be fresh. If the cherries have been processed—for example, by freezing, drying, or provisional preservation—they are classified under different headings within Chapter 8. The classification process follows GRI 1, which prioritizes the heading description. Accurate classification is crucial because sour cherries are often used for industrial food processing, such as in the production of jams, juices, and baked goods, and may be subject to different trade policies, seasonal tariffs, and phytosanitary certificates than sweet cherries intended for direct fresh consumption.
- Covers
- Fresh Morello cherries
- Fresh Montmorency cherries
- Fresh Amarelle cherries
- Fresh tart cherries (Prunus cerasus)
- Also under 0809.21
- Michigan Montmorency Cherries
- Traverse Bay Farms Cherries
- King Orchards Cherries
- Door County Cherries
Codes often confused with 0809.21
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is using 0809.29, which is reserved for sweet cherries. Another error involves cherries that are not fresh; frozen cherries are classified under 0811.90, and cherries provisionally preserved (e.g., in sulfur dioxide gas) fall under 0812.10. Additionally, cherries prepared or preserved with added sugar or alcohol are classified in Chapter 20 under heading 2008.
Top exporters and importers of HS 080921 (the code used for sour cherries), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 080921 (the code used for sour cherries) in UN Comtrade data was Hungary, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 34% 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 080921, not only sour cherries.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Hungary $35M 33% of world exports
- 2 Spain $17M 17% of world exports
- 3 Poland $9.8M 9.5% of world exports
World total: $104M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $35M 34% of world imports
- 2 Poland $9.1M 8.7% of world imports
- 3 Austria $8.4M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $104M 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 sour cherries
Brazil classifies sour cherries under NCM 0809.21.00: HS 0809.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about sour cherries
What is the HS code for Sour cherries?
The HS code for Sour cherries is 080921 (Fruit, edible; sour cherries (Prunus cerasus), fresh). The HS code for fresh sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) is 0809.21.
How do I classify Sour cherries for customs?
Sour cherries is classified under HS code 080921 — Fruit, edible; sour cherries (Prunus cerasus), fresh. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How do I distinguish between 0809.21 and 0809.29?
Code 0809.21 is specifically for the botanical species Prunus cerasus (sour/tart cherries), while 0809.29 is for all other fresh cherries, including sweet varieties like Bing or Rainier.
Which countries are the top exporters of sour cherries (HS 080921)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 080921 (the code used for sour cherries) in UN Comtrade data were Hungary ($35M, 33% of world exports), Spain ($17M) and Poland ($9.8M). World exports came to about $104M, 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 sour cherries (HS 080921)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 080921 (the code used for sour cherries) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($35M, 34% of world imports), Poland ($9.1M) and Austria ($8.4M). World imports came to about $104M, 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 Sour cherries the same in all countries?
The base HS code 080921 for Sour cherries 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 sour cherries in Brazil?
In Brazil, sour cherries (HS 080921) is classified under NCM 0809.21.00.