Areca nut Hs Code

Areca nut harmonized system code

Product Overview Areca nut, classified under HS Code 080280, refers to the dried seed of the Areca catechu palm, widely cultivated and harvested primarily in South and Southeast Asia. This commodity is characterized by its oval to round shape, with typical dimensions ranging from 20 to 40 mm in length and 15 to 30 mm in diameter, exhibiting a hard, fibrous outer shell and a fibrous inner kernel. Processing levels vary from sun-dried whole nuts to sliced or powdered forms, with quality attributes including uniform size, low moisture content (typically below 12%), absence of foreign matter, and minimal insect damage to meet international trade standards. The product classification under 080280 encompasses subcategories such as whole areca nuts, sliced nuts, and other processed derivatives, facilitating precise customs and tariff management. Commercially, areca nut is predominantly utilized in the food and beverage sector as a masticatory ingredient, in the manufacture of traditional betel quid products, and as a raw material in pharmaceutical and dye industries. Its market positioning is reinforced by consistent quality, traceability, and compliance with phytosanitary requirements, offering importers and exporters a reliable commodity with established demand in global markets. HS Code Classification & Trade Specifications The HS Code 080280 is a six-digit classification under Chapter 08, covering “Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons,” with Heading 0802 specifying “Other nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled.” The subheading 080280 designates “Areca nuts (betel nuts), fresh or dried,” distinguishing it from other nuts based on botanical origin and commercial use. This classification reflects the product’s botanical identity, physical form, and trade purpose, aligning with the Harmonized System’s criteria for tariff and customs procedures. Trade considerations include packaging in moisture-resistant jute bags, woven polypropylene sacks, or food-grade cartons to ensure preservation during transit, typically requiring controlled humidity and temperature to prevent mold and degradation. Quality standards adhere to Codex Alimentarius guidelines and importing country phytosanitary regulations, mandating parameters such as maximum moisture content (≤12%), absence of aflatoxins, and freedom from quarantine pests. Compliance with WTO agreements and international customs documentation ensures smooth clearance and facilitates bilateral trade, making HS Code 080280 a critical reference for import/export operators, customs brokers, and regulatory authorities in managing areca nut trade efficiently.

Areca nut Chapter Note

1.- This Chapter does not cover inedible nuts or fruits. 2.- Chilled fruits and nuts are to be classified in the same headings as the corresponding fresh fruits and nuts. 3.- Dried fruit or dried nuts of this Chapter may be partially rehydrated, or treated for the following purposes : (a) For additional preservation or stabilisation (for example, by moderate heat treatment, sulphuring, the addition of sorbic acid or potassium sorbate), (b) To improve or maintain their appearance (for example, by the addition of vegetable oil or small quantities of glucose syrup), provided that they retain the character of dried fruit or dried nuts. 4.- Heading 08.12 applies to fruit and nuts which have been treated solely to ensure their provisional preservation during transport or storage prior to use (for example, by sulphur dioxide gas, in brine, in sulphur water or in other preservative solutions), provided they remain unsuitable for immediate consumption in that state.