HS 200600 Ginger

Import duty rates for ginger, classified under HS code 200600 (Vegetables, fruit, nuts and parts of plants, preserved by sugar, candied or crystallised), vary significantly by country. For example:

• United States: The U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (USHTS) typically lists a Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rate. For ginger preserved in sugar, this can be around 12.00% ad valorem. Specific rates can be checked on the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) website.
• European Union: The EU's TARIC database provides detailed duty rates. For ginger preserved in sugar, rates might be around 12.50% ad valorem plus a specific duty, such as 15.00 EUR per 100 kg net. Preferential rates may apply under various trade agreements.
• United Kingdom: The UK Trade Tariff will show applicable duties. Similar to the EU, rates could be in the region of 12.50% ad valorem plus a specific duty like 15.00 EUR per 100 kg net. Free trade agreements can offer reduced or zero duties.

Always consult the latest official tariff schedules for the destination country to confirm precise rates, as these can change.

Import duties for HS 200600 can be a combination of an ad valorem duty (a percentage of the value of the goods) and a specific duty (a fixed amount per unit of quantity, such as per kilogram or per 100 kg). The total duty is the sum of these two components.

Example Calculation: Assume a shipment of 1,000 kg of candied ginger with a declared customs value of $5,000 USD. The applicable duty rate is 12.50% ad valorem + 15.00 EUR per 100 kg.

1. Ad Valorem Duty: 12.50% of $5,000 USD = $625 USD.
2. Specific Duty: (1,000 kg / 100 kg) * 15.00 EUR = 10 * 15.00 EUR = 150 EUR.

To calculate the total duty, you would need to convert the EUR amount to USD using the applicable exchange rate on the date of customs entry and then sum the two duty components. The final duty payable would be $625 USD + (150 EUR converted to USD).

Importers and brokers must pay close attention to the unit of quantity specified in the tariff (e.g., per kg, per 100 kg, per piece) and use the correct customs valuation and exchange rates.

HS code 200600 covers 'Vegetables, fruit, nuts and parts of plants, preserved by sugar, candied or crystallised'. For ginger to be classified under this code, it must meet specific criteria:

1. Form: The ginger must be prepared or preserved by the addition of sugar. This includes methods like candying (where sugar penetrates the product) or crystallising (where a sugar coating forms).
2. State: It can be whole, in pieces, or sliced.
3. Distinction: This code is distinct from:
   • HS 0910: Fresh or dried ginger (not preserved by sugar).
   • HS 2005: Other vegetables prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid (e.g., pickled or salted ginger).
   • HS 2008: Fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, otherwise prepared or preserved, not elsewhere specified or included (which might cover ginger in syrup, but candying/crystallising is specifically for 200600).

Verification often requires examining the product's ingredients list and processing method to ensure it aligns with the definition of 'preserved by sugar, candied or crystallised'.

Several trade agreements can provide preferential duty rates for ginger (HS 200600). The specific agreements and their benefits depend on the exporting country and the importing country.

• For the EU: Agreements like those with countries in the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) group, or specific Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries such as Mexico or South Africa, might offer reduced or zero duties. The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) can also apply to certain developing countries.
• For the UK: Post-Brexit, the UK has established its own network of FTAs, including continuity agreements with countries that previously had agreements with the EU. The UK Global Tariff will specify rates, with preferences available under these FTAs.
• For the US: The US has FTAs with countries like Canada, Mexico (USMCA), Chile, Singapore, and others. The US also offers GSP benefits to many developing nations.

Documentation Requirements: To claim preferential treatment, importers typically need:

1. Proof of Origin: A 'Statement on Origin' or 'Certificate of Origin' issued by the exporter or competent authority in the exporting country, certifying that the goods meet the rules of origin stipulated in the relevant trade agreement.
2. Commercial Invoice: Clearly stating the origin of the goods.
3. Bill of Lading/Air Waybill: For transport documentation.

It is crucial for importers to verify the specific rules of origin for the product and the required documentation format for the destination country's customs authority to successfully claim preferential tariffs.