Nutmeg — HTS 0908
Nutmeg, mace and cardamoms
Chapter 09 › Heading 0908
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 0908 is a four-digit product category for certain spices: nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms. It groups these related goods before the tariff schedule separates them into more specific subheadings. In general, nutmeg is the seed or kernel of the nutmeg fruit, mace is the dried covering around that seed, and cardamoms are the dried fruits or pods and their seeds.
To reach the correct eight-digit HTSUS code, start with the product’s identity and physical form, then follow the subheadings under heading 0908. The relevant distinctions may include whether the item is nutmeg, mace, or cardamom; whether it is whole, crushed, or ground; and any other wording in the applicable subheading. Read the complete eight-digit description and confirm that it matches the imported merchandise, not merely the marketing name.
What to check
- Identify the spice and the botanical part being imported: nutmeg seed, mace covering, or cardamom fruit or seed.
- Check the physical form at importation, such as whole, crushed, or ground, and do not rely only on the product’s retail description.
- Read every subheading under 0908 in order, using the HTSUS notes and wording to narrow the classification.
- Review product specifications, labels, invoices, and samples or photographs to verify the ingredient and form.
- Confirm the final eight-digit code with current official HTSUS data or a qualified customs broker when the product is blended, processed, or described ambiguously.
HTS heading 0908 summary
Nutmeg is a 4-digit product category containing 5 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0908.22 | Crushed or ground |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0908.11.00.00 👉 | Neither crushed nor ground | Free | — | Free |
| 0908.12.00.00 👉 | Crushed or ground | Free | — | Free |
| 0908.21.00.00 👉 | Neither crushed nor ground | Free | — | Free |
| 0908.31.00.00 👉 | Neither crushed nor ground | Free | — | Free |
| 0908.32.00.00 👉 | Crushed or ground | Free | — | Free |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 0908?
Nutmeg, mace and cardamoms. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.