Indonesian Vegetables HS Codes & US Tariffs 2025 Essentials

A practical, step-by-step guide to classifying fresh Indonesian shallots under HTSUS 0703.10, avoiding onion misclassification, and calculating 2025 US duty, MPF, and HMF—with a worked example and documentation checklist.

If you’ve ever had a shipment held because CBP thought your shallots were “onions,” you know how expensive a simple HS code mistake can be. We’ve seen importers lose days and thousands in fees and storage on what should be a straightforward entry. This is the concise playbook we use for Indonesian shallots. It’s the process we trust when we file entries for customers who demand zero surprises.

The 3 pillars of getting shallots right in 2025

Know your exact tariff family. Under the U.S. tariff schedule, shallots sit in Chapter 7. The core subheading is HTSUS 0703.10, which covers “Onions and shallots, fresh or chilled.” For most edible, whole, fresh or chilled shallots from Indonesia, you’ll select the 10‑digit line specifically labeled for shallots under 0703.10. Confirm the exact 10‑digit line on the official schedule before filing.
Classify by form, not just name. The tariff depends on the product’s form at import:

Fresh or chilled whole bulbs, unpeeled. 0703.10 line for shallots.
Fresh or chilled whole bulbs, peeled only. Generally remains in 0703.10 for shallots (peeling alone is minimal processing).
Fresh or chilled cut (sliced/diced) with no additives, not cooked. Often still classifiable in Chapter 7. Many brokers enter under 0703.10 for shallots when the product is simply chilled, but expect extra scrutiny. If there’s any preserving medium, vinegar, brine, or cooking, you leave Chapter 7 and move to Chapter 20.
“Sets” for planting. Use the specific “sets” line under 0703.10 if you truly have planting sets. Food bulbs should not be declared as sets.
Frozen shallots. Chapter 7 but heading 0710, not 0703.

Price your total landed charges correctly. The general duty rate for shallots under HTSUS 0703.10 is typically Free in 2025. That doesn’t mean a zero-cost entry. You’ll still pay MPF and possibly HMF, and you must consider any special duties that might apply based on origin programs or trade actions.

Practical takeaway: Start your classification from 0703.10, confirm the 10‑digit shallot line, match the form of your product, and then run the fees math so finance and operations are aligned before cargo sails.

Day 1–2: Validate the HS code and create evidence

Here’s the thing. CBP doesn’t rely on your invoice description. They look at the product. So we build proof from day one:

Botanical identity. Shallots are Allium cepa var. aggregatum (also known as A. ascalonicum). Put that on your spec sheet and invoice description.
Photos. Clear, high-res images of whole bulbs, cross-sections, and packaging. Show the characteristic clustered bulb structure of shallots.
Product spec and CoO. Spec should say “shallots, fresh or chilled,” size range, whether peeled, and that there’s no preserving medium. Country of origin: Indonesia.
Commercial docs. Invoice, packing list, and bill of lading aligned with the shallot description.
Broker confirmation. Have your customs broker review the exact 10‑digit line under 0703.10. Use the official HTS search to verify the 2025 line and duty rate: HTS Search.

We also pull similar CBP rulings for backup. If your product is peeled or pre-cut but only chilled, save a couple of rulings that support Chapter 7 classification. You can search here: CBP CROSS Rulings.

Week 3–6: Build a “trial entry” and lock the numbers

In our experience, 3 out of 5 issues we see come from mismatched valuation and fees, not the HS code itself.

Decide the entry value basis. MPF and HMF are applied to the entered value. Align your terms (FOB, CFR, CIF) with your broker.
Confirm the 2025 fees. MPF is ad valorem 0.3464% with a minimum and maximum that reset each fiscal year. For FY 2025, the MPF minimum and maximum are published by CBP. HMF is 0.125% on ocean shipments to U.S. ports. No HMF for air.
Screen for extras. For Indonesian shallots, there are no known U.S. quotas, no antidumping/countervailing duties, and no Section 301/201/232 tariffs. Still, verify right before filing in case of trade actions.
Consider a binding ruling if you’re in a gray area. If you’re importing pre-cut shallots or a product that could be confused with onions, a binding ruling removes doubt. It takes time, but it’s gold when you’re scaling.

Week 7–12: Scale and optimize your classification

Once your first entries are clean, institutionalize it:

Create a classification matrix. List each shallot SKU form. Whole unpeeled. Whole peeled. Pre-cut. Frozen. The corresponding HTS line and documentary proof.
Train vendors on naming. We ask suppliers to use “Shallots (Allium cepa var. aggregatum), fresh/chilled” on invoices. No “onion” anywhere.
Audit quarterly. The HTSUS can change. We do a quick check each quarter to confirm that the 10‑digit line and rates remain the same.

The 5 biggest mistakes that delay shallot entries

Using an onion line instead of the shallot line. Avoid generic “onions and shallots” text. Choose the explicit shallot line under 0703.10.
Calling planting sets “sets” when you’re really shipping edible bulbs. CBP flags this fast.
Pre-cut product with ambiguous preservation. If a brine or acid is present, you’ve left Chapter 7. Bring the full ingredient list and process notes.
Overlooking MPF/HMF in pricing. Duty-free isn’t fee-free. Your landed cost model should include MPF and HMF where applicable.
Weak product evidence. Don’t rely on marketing descriptions. Provide botanical name, photos, and spec. It shortens queries dramatically.

What’s the exact HTS code for fresh Indonesian shallots entering the U.S.?

Use HTSUS 0703.10 for “Onions and shallots, fresh or chilled,” then select the 10‑digit line specifically labeled “shallots.” Confirm the current 2025 10‑digit code and rate on HTS Search before filing.

Are shallots treated the same as onions for tariff purposes?

They share the 0703.10 family, but shallots have their own specific 10‑digit line under that subheading. Don’t use a general onion line unless your product is actually onions. If you also import Indonesian onions, treat those separately and verify the correct onion line. We ship both categories, and we keep them split throughout all documents. If you buy Onion from us alongside shallots, we’ll mirror that separation in your paperwork.

What is the 2025 duty and how do MPF/HMF work?

The general duty rate for shallots under 0703.10 is typically Free in 2025. MPF is 0.3464% of the entered value with a fiscal-year minimum and maximum. HMF is 0.125% on ocean freight only. Both are calculated on the entered value, not on gross weight.

Do peeled or pre-cut shallots use a different HS code?

Peeled, whole, fresh/chilled shallots generally remain in 0703.10.
Fresh, chilled sliced/diced shallots with no additives are often kept in Chapter 7. Expect questions, and have process notes ready.
Any preserving medium (vinegar, brine) or cooking shifts you to Chapter 20. When in doubt, ask your broker to pull recent rulings or request a binding ruling for your exact process.

Are there extra tariffs, quotas, or AD/CVD on Indonesian shallots?

As of early 2025, we aren’t seeing U.S. quotas, safeguard tariffs, or AD/CVD orders on Indonesian shallots. Keep monitoring, especially ahead of peak shipping months.

How do I prove to CBP that my product is shallots, not onions?

Give CBP what they actually need:

Botanical name on invoice/spec: Allium cepa var. aggregatum
Photos showing the smaller, clustered multi-clove bulbs
Clear product description: “Shallots, fresh or chilled, whole [peeled/unpeeled], no additives”
Farm or packing list references that match the description
If pre-cut, a process sheet confirming no preserving medium, no cooking

Where do I check the official 2025 rate?

Use the official U.S. tariff site: HTS Search. For MPF/HMF updates and fiscal year min/max, check CBP’s site: CBP MPF Overview.

Worked example: sample duty and fee math

Scenario. You import 10,000 kg of Indonesian shallots, whole, fresh, unpeeled. Entered value is USD 12,000 on a CFR basis to Los Angeles.

HTSUS: 0703.10, shallots line. Duty rate: Free.
Duty: 0% of $12,000 = $0
MPF: 0.3464% of $12,000 = $41.57 (apply fiscal year min/max if needed)
HMF: 0.125% of $12,000 = $15.00 (ocean freight only)
Total government fees due at entry: $56.57

Two insights we’ve learned the hard way:

If your entered value is very low, MPF minimum will apply and can exceed the percentage math.
Air shipments avoid HMF entirely, which can matter for small, high-value consignments.

Need help running the math for your specific PO or product form? You can Contact us on whatsapp. Share your draft invoice and we’ll sanity-check the HS line and fees.

Quick decision tree you can use today

Is the product shallots from Indonesia? Yes. Start at HTSUS 0703.10.
Whole bulbs, fresh or chilled? Use the shallots line under 0703.10.
Peeled only? Generally still 0703.10, shallots line.
Cut/sliced but only chilled, no additives? Likely Chapter 7, but confirm with your broker or a ruling.
In vinegar/brine or cooked? Move to Chapter 20.
Frozen? Move to 0710.
Intended for planting as sets? Use the “sets” line under 0703.10 if the product truly meets that definition.

This framework keeps entries consistent across seasons and suppliers. Our team uses it internally across programs, from first-time importers to national retailers.

Final thought. The reality is most delays happen because small details weren’t tied off early. If you lock your HS decision, evidence, and fees in the first 48 hours, the rest is execution. And that’s how shipments clear on time.