Indonesian Vegetables HS Codes & Canada Duties 2025 Guide

A practical, bookmarkable playbook for classifying Indonesian chili peppers for Canada in 2025: HS codes 0709.60 vs 0904.21 vs 0904.22 (plus frozen 0710.80), duty expectations, CFIA/AIRS requirements, and a simple duty/GST-HST calculation with a real-world workflow importers can copy.

We helped a Canadian buyer go from shipment delays to $10,247 saved in 90 days by fixing one thing: correct HS classification for Indonesian chilies and lining up CFIA documents before booking space. The process below is the same system we use at Indonesia‑Vegetables for fresh and dried pepper shipments to Canada. If you import chilies, this is the page you’ll want open while you file.

The 3 pillars of a smooth chili import into Canada

Classify by product state first. Fresh/chilled vs dried whole vs crushed/ground vs frozen. The HS chapter changes, and so do documents.
Confirm CFIA/AIRS requirements before you ship. Fresh Capsicum usually needs a phytosanitary certificate. Many dried spices don’t.
Check duty and taxes using Canada’s tariff schedule and GST/HST rules for basic groceries. Most chilies land duty‑free in 2025, but misclassifying can still trigger AMPS penalties and delays.

Here’s the thing. 3 out of 5 new importers we meet start with origin or variety. That’s not what decides the HS code in Canada. The physical state does. This leads us to the step‑by‑step.

Week 1–2: Classification and AIRS validation (tools + templates)

Step 1. Identify the product state.

Fresh or chilled whole chilies: HS 0709.60 (Fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, fresh or chilled). Example: our Red Cayenne Pepper (Fresh Red Cayenne Chili) and Indonesian bird’s eye (cabe rawit) ship under 0709.60.
Dried, whole peppers, not crushed/ground: HS 0904.21.
Crushed, ground, or flakes/powder: HS 0904.22.
Frozen peppers (uncooked): HS 0710.80.

Step 2. Choose tariff treatment.

Indonesia typically clears under MFN in Canada. For HS 0709.60, 0904.21, and 0904.22, the MFN rate has remained “Free” in recent tariff schedules. Always confirm the 2025 Customs Tariff for your exact line.

Step 3. Check CFIA AIRS for plant health and food requirements.

Use CFIA AIRS. Search “Capsicum annuum” or “Capsicum – fresh” for 0709.60, and “Capsicum – dried for human consumption” for 0904.21/0904.22. Set origin to Indonesia.
What we’ve consistently seen:
- Fresh chilies: Usually require a phytosanitary certificate from Indonesia’s NPPO, visual inspection on arrival, and must be free of soil and live pests. An SFC (Safe Food for Canadians) import license is required for the importer of record.
- Dried whole or crushed/ground chilies for human consumption: Often no phytosanitary certificate is required when commercially packaged and clean of soil/plant debris. Inspection remains possible. Confirm your exact scenario in AIRS.

Pro tip: Screenshot AIRS results and save with your shipment pack. If an officer queries, you have the reference in seconds. Need help interpreting AIRS for your SKU? You can Contact us on whatsapp for a quick check.

Step 4. Prep your document kit.

Commercial invoice: clear HS code, tariff treatment, country of origin, and intended use (human consumption).
Packing list and bill of lading/air waybill.
Phytosanitary certificate if fresh (or if AIRS calls for one in your dried scenario).
SFC license number of the Canadian importer.
Labeling: country of origin and responsible party name/address. Grade claims are optional but, if used, must meet CFIA rules.

Practical takeaway: Don’t finalize the booking until AIRS confirms your document list. We’ve seen a one‑line AIRS condition missed and the truck sit two extra days.

Week 3–6: Trial shipment and refine the setup

Start small. One pallet of dried chilies under HS 0904.22 is a low‑risk way to validate your broker instructions, HS code, and your SFC license details in the system. For fresh 0709.60, test with a tight cold‑chain timeline and build your phytosanitary process with your Indonesian supplier.

Fresh example: We coordinate pre‑cooling at source and buffer 24–36 hours for inspection on arrival. It looks conservative on the plan. It saves shelf‑life in practice.
Dried example: We spec moisture and cleanliness. Low foreign matter and stable water activity move you through CFIA sampling faster.

Week 7–12: Scale, automate, and lock in savings

Once you’ve got two clean clears, standardize.

Pre‑approved invoice templates with HS 0709.60 or 0904.2x pre‑filled.
AIRS screenshots attached to every file.
A shared calendar for SFC license renewals and shipping windows.
Product‑level SOPs with photos of acceptable stems, cut length, and packaging.

We’ve found that this is where the savings show up. It’s not “cheaper freight.” It’s fewer holds and zero AMPS penalties.

The big questions importers ask us

Is dried chili classified as a spice or a vegetable in Canada?

Dried chilies are classified as a spice under Chapter 9 of the HS, not as a vegetable. Use 0904.21 for dried whole and 0904.22 for crushed or ground. Fresh or chilled stays in Chapter 7 under 0709.60.

What’s the correct HS code for fresh Indonesian bird’s eye chilies entering Canada?

Fresh bird’s eye (cabe rawit) classify under HS 0709.60 as Capsicum, fresh or chilled. Variety doesn’t change the code. Product state does.

What duty rate applies to dried chili peppers from Indonesia in 2025?

Based on Canada’s recent Customs Tariff schedules, the MFN rate for HS 0904.21 and HS 0904.22 is Free, and that’s what we’ve seen applied in 2025 entries so far. Always confirm your precise tariff line in the current CBSA tariff schedule.

Do I need a phytosanitary certificate for dried chilies shipped from Indonesia to Canada?

Often no, if they’re dried for human consumption, commercially packaged, and clean of soil/plant debris. But requirements are origin‑ and product‑specific. Check CFIA AIRS for HS 0904.21/0904.22 with origin Indonesia and your end use. If AIRS says “No Plant Protection Import Requirements,” you’re typically good without a phyto. If it lists a phyto, comply. We see both outcomes depending on product details.

How do I calculate GST/HST on a chili pepper import into Canada?

Most chilies qualify as basic groceries and are zero‑rated for GST/HST. That means 0% GST/HST at import. If your product is a prepared seasoning with added salt or other ingredients that changes classification, tax may apply. When tax is applicable, the math is:

Duties + value for tax = GST/HST base.
GST at 5% or HST at the provincial rate is charged at the border unless the item is zero‑rated. For basic grocery chilies (fresh or dried for human consumption), expect 0% at import. Your broker will still charge clearance fees.

Are there CFIA restrictions on importing fresh chili peppers from Indonesia?

Yes. Fresh chilies commonly require a phytosanitary certificate, may face inspection, and must be free of pests and soil. The Canadian importer must hold an SFC license and meet traceability requirements. Check AIRS for any country‑ or pest‑specific conditions that can change during the year.

Worked example: HS 0904.21 dried chilies from Indonesia into Ontario, March 2025

Product: Dried whole cayenne, human consumption. Clean, commercially packaged.
HS code: 0904.21.
Declared value (CIF Toronto): CAD 42,000.
Duty: MFN Free → CAD 0.
GST/HST: Basic grocery → 0% at import → CAD 0.
Payables at border: Typically just brokerage/disbursement fees and any CFIA sampling charges if selected.

If you instead imported fresh bird’s eye under 0709.60 with the same CIF value, duty would also be Free and GST/HST 0%. The difference would be documentation: you’d need the phytosanitary certificate and tighter cold‑chain planning, and you might see an inspection window on arrival.

5 mistakes that quietly kill chili imports (and how to avoid them)

Mixing fresh and dried logic. Trying to classify fresh chilies in Chapter 9, or dried in Chapter 7. Fix: Start with product state. Then pick 0709.60, 0904.21, 0904.22, or 0710.80.
Skipping AIRS because “it was fine last year.” AIRS conditions change. Fix: Check and save AIRS results for every origin and HS code, every shipment.
Assuming all dried chilies need a phytosanitary certificate. Many don’t. Fix: Verify the exact HS and end use in AIRS. Don’t add paperwork you don’t need.
Label and document gaps. Missing SFC license, unclear end use, or invoice without HS code. Fix: Use a standard pack with HS, SFC license, and origin on the invoice.
HS misclassification. Even when duty is Free, AMPS penalties for misclassification are real. Fix: Align descriptions with the HS rule set. Keep photos/specs on file. We’ve seen CBSA issue penalties from hundreds to thousands of dollars for repeat errors.

Quick reference: HS mapping for Indonesian chilies to Canada

HS 0709.60: Fresh or chilled Capsicum. Includes fresh cayenne, bird’s eye, long chili. Example product: Red Cayenne Pepper (Fresh Red Cayenne Chili).
HS 0710.80: Frozen vegetables, other. Use for frozen chili peppers, uncooked by any process other than steaming/boiling.
HS 0904.21: Dried Capsicum or Pimenta, whole, not crushed/ground.
HS 0904.22: Dried Capsicum or Pimenta, crushed or ground. Includes chili powder and crushed red pepper flakes.

If you also handle tomatoes, lettuce, or mixed vegetables alongside chilies, we export those too. See our full range here: View our products.

Resources and next steps

Confirm the MFN duty in the CBSA 2025 Customs Tariff for HS 0709.60, 0904.21, and 0904.22. Expect “Free,” but verify your exact line.
Check CFIA AIRS for every shipment. Save the PDF/screenshot with your documents.
Align your specs and labeling to match the HS choice and AIRS conditions.

Questions about your specific SKU or a first‑time shipment playbook? Contact us on whatsapp. In our experience, a 10‑minute review before booking can prevent a two‑day hold later.

We’ve moved Indonesian chilies into Canada for supermarkets, foodservice, and processors for years. When the HS code, AIRS conditions, and documents line up, the rest feels easy. And that’s exactly how you keep your peppers moving and your margins intact.