Product classification
HS code for Whole cardamom pods: 0908.31
Spices, cardamoms, neither crushed nor ground.
Classification of whole cardamom pods under HS 0908.31
Whole cardamom pods are classified under HS code 0908.31. This code is situated within Chapter 9, which encompasses spices and related agricultural products. Heading 0908 specifically covers nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms. The subheading 0908.31 is designated for cardamoms that are neither crushed nor ground. This includes the whole fruit (pods) of both the Elettaria (green cardamom) and Amomum (black or brown cardamom) genera. The classification is determined by the fact that the spice remains in its natural, whole state. Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices by weight, and its classification is vital for accurate duty assessment. The pods protect the essential oils within the seeds, and the Harmonized System distinguishes between these whole pods and the processed seeds or powder to reflect the difference in value and use in the global market.
- Covers
- Whole green cardamom pods
- Whole black cardamom pods
- Whole white cardamom pods (bleached)
- Whole cardamom seeds (still in the pod)
- Dried cardamom fruit
- Also under 0908.31
- Spice Islands Whole Green Cardamom
- Simply Organic Whole Green Cardamom
- Frontier Co-op Whole Green Cardamom
- Badia Whole Green Cardamom
Codes often confused with 0908.31
Common mistake. Cardamom is frequently misclassified under 0908.32, which is the code for crushed or ground cardamom. If the pods have been opened and the seeds removed and ground, 0908.32 must be used. Another common mistake is using 1209.99 for seeds intended for sowing; however, if the cardamom is intended for culinary or medicinal use as a spice, 0908.31 is the correct code. Some importers also mistakenly use 0910.99 (other spices) if they are unfamiliar with the specific heading for cardamom.
Top exporters and importers of HS 090831 (the code used for whole cardamom pods), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 090831 (the code used for whole cardamom pods) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 26% 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 090831, not only whole cardamom pods.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $375M 37% of world exports
- 2 Guatemala $372M 37% of world exports
- 3 Nepal* ~$65M 6.5% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $277M 26% of world imports
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$203M 19% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 India $89M 8.3% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 whole cardamom pods
Brazil classifies whole cardamom pods under NCM 0908.31.00: HS 0908.31 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about whole cardamom pods
What is the HS code for Whole cardamom pods?
The HS code for Whole cardamom pods is 090831 (Spices; cardamoms, neither crushed nor ground). The HS code for whole cardamom pods is 0908.31.
How do I classify Whole cardamom pods for customs?
Whole cardamom pods is classified under HS code 090831 — Spices; cardamoms, neither crushed nor ground. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is black cardamom classified under the same code as green cardamom?
Yes, both black and green cardamom are classified under 0908.31 as long as they are whole.
Which countries are the top exporters of whole cardamom pods (HS 090831)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 090831 (the code used for whole cardamom pods) in UN Comtrade data were India ($375M, 37% of world exports), Guatemala ($372M) and Nepal (about $65M). World exports came to about $1.0B, 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 whole cardamom pods (HS 090831)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 090831 (the code used for whole cardamom pods) in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($277M, 26% of world imports), the United Arab Emirates (about $203M) and India ($89M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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 Whole cardamom pods the same in all countries?
The base HS code 090831 for Whole cardamom pods 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 whole cardamom pods in Brazil?
In Brazil, whole cardamom pods (HS 090831) is classified under NCM 0908.31.00.