Indonesian Vegetables HS Codes & Japan Tariffs: 2026 Guide

A practical, bookmark‑worthy playbook to classify fresh chili peppers as HS 0709.60 for Japan, compare Japan’s 2026 MFN vs EPA/RCEP tariff, prepare documents that actually pass, and run a clean duty calculation before you quote.

We scaled our shipments to Japan and saved five figures in duty within a quarter using one repeatable workflow. It wasn’t luck. It was tighter classification for fresh chili peppers, checking the right tariff lines, and filing the right certificate the first time. Here’s that system, tuned for 2026 planning.

The 3 pillars of getting HS 0709.60 right (and not overpaying in Japan)

Classify precisely. Fresh or chilled Capsicum/Pimenta go to HS 0709.60. Not dried, not frozen, not preserved. If you get this wrong, every cost calc after that is off.
Compare MFN vs EPA/RCEP in Japan’s Web Tariff. Don’t assume a rate is “always free.” Verify the active 9-digit line and available preferential schemes.
Build a clean origin + quarantine file. In our experience, Japan clears fast when origin proofs, phyto and invoices line up with the NACCS item and tariff claim.

Weeks 1–2: Research and validation (the exact lookup workflow)

Here’s how we research Japan’s 2026 import duty for fresh chili peppers, HS 0709.60.

Confirm the commodity and scope

Product: Fresh or chilled chili peppers. Harvested, washed, graded, cooled. No freezing. No brining or pickling. No paste.
Botanical: Fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta. Cayenne, bird’s eye, jalapeño, habanero, etc. are in scope.

Lock the HS classification

The correct base code is HS 0709.60. In Japan, you’ll map this to a 9-digit NACCS item line (often 070960000, but always verify in the Web Tariff). If your invoice only shows 6 digits, your broker will still need the 9-digit item line for declaration.

Check Japan’s tariff schedule (MFN vs EPAs)

Use Japan Customs Web Tariff or NACCS Tariff Search. Input 0709.60 and review the detailed item line.
Note three rows: MFN (general rate), Japan–Indonesia EPA (JIEPA or IJ‑EPA), and RCEP. Some importers also compare AJCEP. Pick the lowest eligible rate.
Snapshot the page or export a PDF. We attach that to our costing file so the rate can be re-verified before shipment.

Watch for footnotes

Seasonal rates and tariff quotas don’t generally apply to 0709.60 in Japan. But footnotes change. We scan for any TRQ or safeguard notes next to the line every season.

Quick takeaway: You can’t fix a wrong NACCS item with a good COO later. Start here, then decide which preference to claim.

Weeks 3–6: Build your “clears-first-try” document pack

In our experience, this is what prevents rework at Narita, Haneda or Kansai.

Commercial invoice. Show HS at 6 digits minimum. Match product description with “fresh chili peppers (Capsicum), chilled” if applicable. Keep grades and variety consistent with the packing list.
Packing list. Tare, net, and gross weights. Carton counts by size grade. Japan brokers love clean carton math.
Bill of lading or AWB. Direct or through a single transshipment if possible. Prefer direct consignment for EPA/RCEP claims.
Certificate of Origin (preferential). Choose one scheme and stick with it. • JIEPA: Request the Japan–Indonesia EPA Certificate of Origin issued by Indonesia’s authorized body. Ensure origin criterion, HS code, and exporter/importer names match the invoice. • RCEP: Obtain a Certificate of Origin (RCEP) or, if allowed, an origin declaration by an approved exporter. Check with your importer on their preferred path. Many have shifted to RCEP for consistency across suppliers.
Phytosanitary certificate. Issued by Indonesia’s NPPO for fresh Capsicum. Japan’s plant quarantine is strict on pests for solanaceous crops. We attach pest management records and pre-shipment inspection notes when the importer requests them.
Food import notification pack. The Japanese importer files this with MHLW. We support with pesticide residue test results and farm traceability when needed.
Temperature and pre-cooling log. Fresh chilies travel best at 5–7°C with adequate ventilation. We include probe readings at loading because it helps resolve any shelf-life questions on arrival.

Tip: Use consistent lot codes on cartons, COO, and phyto. Three out of five delays we’ve seen trace back to mismatched identifiers, not to the tariff rate itself.

Weeks 7–12: Scale and optimize (EPA vs RCEP, and the numbers that matter)

Which preferential scheme should you use? We run a simple matrix.

Compare the active rate. In many recent cycles, chili peppers have been duty-free under at least one Japan-Indonesia framework. But don’t rely on hearsay. Check the 0709.60 line for 2026.
Choose the easiest valid paperwork. If MFN is already “Free,” skip the COO. If not, use whichever of JIEPA or RCEP yields zero and is easier for your importer to process.
Confirm consignment rules. Direct consignment or controlled transshipment is required. Keep evidence of through bills and cargo control.

A quick duty calculation example

Assumptions for illustration only. Verify your live rate before quoting. • CIF Tokyo value: USD 38,500 • MFN duty rate for 0709.60: 3.0% (example) • Preferential duty under RCEP or JIEPA: 0% (example)
MFN duty: 38,500 × 3.0% = USD 1,155
Preferential duty: 38,500 × 0% = USD 0
Import consumption tax and other charges are separate and calculated by the importer under Japan’s rules. This is why we validate the tariff line first. A one-page COO can swing your landed cost by four figures.

If you want a quick double-check of your HS mapping and the best 2026 tariff path for your lane, need help with your specific situation? You can Contact us on whatsapp. We’ll review your product spec and share the current Web Tariff screenshot we use for costing.

The questions we get most (answered straight)

What’s the correct HS code for fresh chili peppers exported from Indonesia to Japan?

HS 0709.60. This covers fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, fresh or chilled. In Japan you’ll declare the corresponding 9-digit NACCS item under that heading. Don’t use 0904. That’s for dried capsicum and pepper spices.

How do I find Japan’s 2026 import duty for HS 0709.60?

Search Japan Customs Web Tariff or NACCS Tariff Search for 0709.60. Open the detailed line, then compare three rates: MFN, Japan–Indonesia EPA, and RCEP. Check any footnotes. Save a PDF for your internal file and share it with your broker and buyer.

Can Indonesian fresh chili peppers qualify for a lower tariff under JIEPA or RCEP?

Yes, if they meet origin and consignment requirements. In many cases one of these frameworks provides a zero rate. The importer declares the preference using your valid COO or origin declaration.

What documents are required to claim the preferential tariff?

Preferential Certificate of Origin (JIEPA or RCEP), correctly completed.
Commercial invoice and packing list that match the COO fields.
Transport docs showing direct or compliant transshipment. The importer files the preference at entry. Any mismatch between invoice, COO, and NACCS item can cause the claim to be rejected.

How do I avoid misclassifying fresh vs dried chili for Japan Customs?

Fresh or chilled whole chilies: HS 0709.60.
Dried or crushed: HS 0904 series.
Frozen: HS 0710.
Provisionally preserved in brine/vinegar: HS 0711.
Sauces and pastes: Chapter 20 or 21, depending on recipe. When in doubt, we send photos, process notes, and a spec sheet to our broker for a quick ruling before we quote.

Is there any seasonal rate, quota, or special condition for chili peppers in Japan?

None commonly applied to HS 0709.60, but always read the tariff line footnotes for the current year. Japan publishes TRQs and safeguards that can change the picture.

How do I calculate the total landed duty for a shipment?

Use CIF Japan as the customs value. Multiply by the applicable rate from the Web Tariff. Duty = CIF × duty rate. Taxes and fees are added separately. Your importer or broker will provide the final tax calculation.

Three non-obvious tips from the floor

Match tariff language on your invoice. Use “fresh chili peppers (Capsicum), chilled” if you’re shipping at 5–7°C. That one word helps align with 0709.60 and avoids a frozen vs fresh debate.
Pre-alert with photos and packing list before flight. We share carton labels and pallet counts so the broker can set the NACCS item line and draft the entry. It cuts hours at arrival.
Grade consistency pays back. Uniform sizing reduces sampling time. Our Red Cayenne Pepper (Fresh Red Cayenne Chili) is hand-graded, which our Japanese clients tell us makes quarantine inspection faster.

The five mistakes that stall clearance (and how to avoid them)

Using 0904 because “it’s chili.” If it’s fresh or chilled, use 0709.60. Full stop.
Mixing EPAs. Don’t print a JIEPA COO and then claim RCEP at entry. Choose one preference per shipment.
COO names not matching invoice. The slightest mismatch can void the preference claim.
Vague descriptions. “Vegetables” on the invoice triggers questions. Spell out “fresh chili peppers, Capsicum.”
Cold-chain gaps. Arriving warm means faster spoilage and more scrutiny. Keep a data logger and attach the report if asked.

Resources and next steps

Here’s the thing. Getting HS code fresh chili Japan right isn’t glamorous, but it’s how you protect margin. Start with the 0709.60 line in the Web Tariff. Compare MFN vs JIEPA vs RCEP for 2026. If a preference is open to you, build the COO and keep every field synchronized across documents. Then run the duty math on CIF to quote with confidence.

If you’d like a second set of eyes on your classification, tariff choice, or COO draft, Questions about your project? Call us. And if you’re sourcing, our team can pack trial lots of Red Cayenne Pepper (Fresh Red Cayenne Chili) to your spec so you can test both quality and clearance flow.

Practical takeaway: Verify 0709.60 in Japan’s Web Tariff, pick the lowest eligible scheme, and align every document to that choice. Do that, and you’ll ship smoothly, quote accurately, and avoid paying duty you don’t owe.