Saffron - HS 0910 classification, duty and landed cost
Saffron moves through customs under HS heading 0910. This guide sets out sample sub-codes, indicative import duty in major markets, key trade documents and a worked landed-cost calculation - refresh figures against the live tariff schedule before quoting.
Sample 6-digit codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0910.20 | Saffron |
Typical import duty by market
| Market | Duty |
|---|---|
| European Union | 0% - 25% CAP tariffs, seasonal duties; EFSA labelling and additive rules. |
| United States | 0% - 20% FDA Prior Notice; specific alcohol excise on wines/spirits. |
| China | 5% - 30% Plus 9% - 13% VAT; GACC importer registration required. |
| India | 10% - 100% BCD + 5% - 28% GST; FSSAI import licence. |
| UAE | 0% - 5% 5% VAT; 50-100% excise on sugary drinks, tobacco, energy drinks. |
Numerical Example: 20 MT of Saffron at FOB USD 800,000 per MT, sea freight to a representative port of discharge.
20 MT of Saffron at FOB USD 800,000 per MT, sea freight to a representative port of discharge.. Run your own numbers in the Import Duty & Tax calculator.
- · Health / Sanitary certificate from origin competent authority.
- · Certificate of Analysis (COA) covering microbiological and heavy metal limits.
- · Labelling in destination language: ingredients, allergens, nutrition, batch, best-before.
- · Iran
- · Spain
- · Afghanistan
- · India
Frequently asked questions
Saffron sits under HS 0910.20 for the described form; processed variants may fall under Chapter 20 or 21.
Full ingredient list, allergen callouts, nutrition panel, best-before date, batch number, importer name and address in the destination language.
Health / sanitary certificate from origin authority, Certificate of Analysis, Halal or Kosher certificate where relevant, and Certificate of Origin for preferential duty.
Products shipped chilled (0-4°C) or frozen (-18°C or colder) require an unbroken cold chain with a datalogger inside the container; ambient goods only need a dry, well-ventilated stow.
Some destinations apply TRQs, seasonal duties, or specific excise (alcohol, sugary drinks, tobacco). Check the destination tariff schedule before quoting.
Import duty and tax by destination market
Typical MFN duty, consumption tax and the tax base applied to food & beverage (HS 0910) in each market we cover. Rates are indicative at the 6-digit line | confirm the national 8/10-digit code with your broker.
| Market | Duty | Consumption tax | Tax base | Tax as % of CIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 100% | IGST 18% | Assessable value + duty | 137.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | 0% | VAT 5% | CIF + duty | 5.0% |
| Saudi Arabia | 0% | VAT 15% | CIF + duty | 15.0% |
| Singapore | 0% | GST 9% | CIF + duty | 9.0% |
| China | 0% | VAT 13% | CIF + duty | 13.0% |
| United States | 0% | Federal VAT 0% | CIF | 0.3% |
| United Kingdom | 0% | VAT 20% | CIF + duty | 20.0% |
| Germany | 0% | USt 19% | CIF + duty | 19.0% |
| Netherlands | 0% | BTW 21% | CIF + duty | 21.0% |
| Vietnam | 0% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| Türkiye | 0% | KDV 20% | CIF + duty | 20.0% |
| Japan | 0% | JCT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| South Korea | 0% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| Brazil | 0% | IPI+PIS/COFINS+ICMS 32% | CIF + duty | 32.0% |
| Indonesia | 0% | PPN 11% | CIF + duty | 13.5% |
| Mexico | 0% | IVA 16% | CIF + duty | 16.9% |
| Egypt | 0% | VAT 14% | CIF + duty | 14.0% |
| Nigeria | 0% | VAT 7.5% | CIF + duty | 9.1% |
| South Africa | 0% | VAT 15% | Assessable value + duty | 16.5% |
| Australia | 0% | GST 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
Run your own numbers with the landed cost calculator or check documentation requirements in the LC document checklist.