A step-by-step, worked example for fresh Indonesian bird’s eye chilies. How to confirm the correct EU HS/CN subheading in TARIC for 2025, check MFN vs preferential duty, and calculate duty and VAT so you can price a shipment today.
If you’re pricing Indonesian bird’s eye chilies into the EU this week, you don’t need a law degree. You need a repeatable workflow you can trust. We’ve priced and shipped fresh capsicum from Indonesia for years, and the fastest path is always the same: confirm the CN code in TARIC, read the 2025 measures, then run the duty/VAT math off your commercial invoice. Here’s exactly how we do it, with a worked example you can mirror.
The one-line answer most buyers want
Fresh or chilled Indonesian bird’s eye chilies are classified in the EU under HS 0709.60 (fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, fresh or chilled). In practice, general commercial shipments go to CN 0709 60 99 (Other). CN 0709 60 10 is an “end-use” split for certain industrial manufacture uses. Unless you hold an end-use authorization and your importer intends that use, choose 0709 60 99.
In my experience, trying to use an end-use subheading without authorization creates clearance delays and back-and-forth with customs. For chillies sold fresh to wholesale, retail, or foodservice, 0709 60 99 is the clean path.
Are chilled chilies the same code as fresh?
Yes. The heading 0709 covers fresh or chilled. Chilled does not change the code.
Is the HS code different for dried or ground chilies?
Completely different chapter. Dried, crushed, or ground chilies are classified in HS 0904.20, not 0709. Mixing up 0709 vs 0904 is one of the most common mistakes we see on first shipments.
How to verify the 2025 duty in EU TARIC in under 5 minutes
Here’s the exact workflow we train new team members on. Do it once and you’ll never guess again.
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Open TARIC. Go to the EU TARIC database. Select the date you care about. If you’re quoting for February 2025 delivery, set the measure date accordingly. TARIC updates daily and will show “as of” measures.
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Search two ways. First try the code: 0709 60. Then try terms: “capsicum”, “pimenta”, “chilli”, and “chili” (TARIC uses British spelling “chilli,” but capsicum/pimenta is more reliable). Click through to “Fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, fresh or chilled.”
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Pick the right CN split. For most shipments, choose CN 0709 60 99 (Other). Ignore any “for industrial manufacture” end-use unless your importer has the authorization and you intend to claim it.
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Set origin to Indonesia. In the measures panel, change origin from “erga omnes” to Indonesia. This reveals if preferential rates exist under GSP or other schemes. It also exposes any country-specific measures.
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Read the measures list. You’ll see the third-country MFN duty and any preferential rates, plus miscellaneous rules. As of early 2025, the MFN rate for CN 0709 60 99 has consistently read 0% ad valorem for chillies. Sweet peppers can have different treatment in other splits, which is why 0709 60 99 is the safer, accurate choice for bird’s eye chilies.
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Check VAT and national charges separately. TARIC won’t give you VAT. VAT is levied by the member state at import. Use the national reduced food VAT rate where your import is cleared.
Two small but powerful tips:
- If your search returns a seasonal entry-price regime, you’re probably in the sweet pepper track, not the chilli track. Go back and select 0709 60 99.
- Don’t rely on old screenshots. TARIC dates matter. Make sure the top of the page reflects the measure date your shipment will clear.
Do Indonesian chilies get tariff preference in 2025?
Indonesia is a Standard GSP beneficiary. But here’s the thing: for CN 0709 60 99, the MFN duty is already 0%. There’s nothing to save with preference. That’s why we rarely claim GSP on fresh chillies. It’s simpler and just as economical to clear at MFN 0%.
If you do claim preference on other tariff lines, you’ll need a REX “statement on origin” on the invoice when the consignment exceeds €6,000, issued by a Registered Exporter. For 0709 60 99 chillies, there’s usually no reason to do the extra paperwork.
What product details should be on the invoice to support CN 0709 60 99?
Customs wants a description that ties clearly to the CN logic. We recommend including:
- Product name: “Fresh bird’s eye chili peppers (Capsicum frutescens).” If cayenne or mixed chili varieties, name them. Variety names don’t change the code, but they help avoid misrouting to sweet peppers.
- State: Fresh or chilled. Not dried, not crushed, not ground. No further processing beyond washing, grading, trimming stems, and chilling.
- CN code reference: “CN 0709 60 99.” This isn’t legally required, but it aligns all parties.
- Packaging and weights: Net weight, number of cartons, pack sizes.
- Country of origin: Indonesia. This helps with statistics and any potential preference claims on other lines.
- Incoterms, currency, and unit price.
Our experience shows a clear description reduces queries at the border by 3 out of 5 cases compared to invoices that just say “chili peppers.” Customs brokers will thank you.
Worked example: calculate EU duty and VAT today
Let’s price a real shipment into the Netherlands in January 2025. Your invoice reads:
- Product: Fresh bird’s eye chilies, CN 0709 60 99
- Origin: Indonesia
- Quantity: 3,500 kg
- Unit price (FOB Jakarta): €3.00/kg
- Ocean freight to Rotterdam: €1,200
- Marine insurance: €30
Step 1. Customs value (CIF at EU border). 3,500 kg × €3.00 = €10,500 product value. Add freight and insurance: €10,500 + €1,200 + €30 = €11,730 customs value.
Step 2. Customs duty. TARIC shows MFN duty for 0709 60 99 as 0%. Duty = 0% × €11,730 = €0.
Step 3. VAT base and VAT. The Netherlands applies 9% reduced VAT to most food. VAT base is customs value + duty = €11,730. VAT = 9% × €11,730 = €1,055.70.
Landed cost before inland logistics and broker fees = €11,730 + €1,055.70 = €12,785.70. Per kg, that’s €12,785.70 ÷ 3,500 = €3.653/kg. You’d then add port handling, inspection, and domestic transport to your final cost.
Quick sensitivity check. Even if your freight swings by ±€300, the duty won’t change because the rate is 0%. VAT will move a little because it sits on top of CIF.
Common pitfalls we still see (and how to avoid them)
- Searching TARIC for “chili” and missing results. TARIC often indexes “chilli,” “capsicum,” or “pimenta.” If your first search fails, switch to the CN code search: 0709 60.
- Selecting an end-use split without authorization. CN 0709 60 10 can look attractive, but it’s an end-use regime. Without authorization, customs may reclassify and delay release.
- Mixing dried and fresh logic. If the product is dried or ground, you’re in HS 0904.20. Don’t try to force it into 0709 to chase a 0% rate.
- Over-describing processing. “Cut,” “sliced,” “prepared,” or “preserved” language can push you into prepared vegetable headings. Keep the description true and simple for fresh/chilled produce.
When this advice applies vs. when it doesn’t
This guide covers fresh or chilled Indonesian chillies only. If you’re dealing with frozen peppers, you’re in a different part of the tariff. For example, our Frozen Paprika (Bell Peppers) - Red, Yellow, Green & Mixed are classified in frozen vegetable headings, not 0709. And if you’re exploring dried or ground chilli supply chains, that’s HS 0904 with different duty logic.
Practical takeaways you can use today
- For fresh Indonesian bird’s eye chillies, classify as CN 0709 60 99. Confirm in TARIC for your clearance date.
- Expect MFN 0% duty in 2025 for 0709 60 99. VAT is country-specific. Use your import country’s reduced food VAT.
- Your invoice should explicitly say “fresh or chilled.” Add botanical name (Capsicum frutescens), origin Indonesia, and CN reference.
- Don’t chase GSP preference here. With MFN at 0%, there’s no tariff saving and it adds paperwork.
If you want a second set of eyes on your TARIC lookup or landed-cost math for your specific lane, reach out and we’ll walk you through it on a live screen share. Need help with your specific situation? Contact us on whatsapp.
By the way, if you’re sourcing beyond bird’s eye, we also supply export-grade Red Cayenne Pepper (Fresh Red Cayenne Chili) with consistent grading and cold-chain handling. You can see our broader range here: View our products.
We keep this workflow tight because speed matters when you’re quoting buyers who need prices today. Follow the steps above and you’ll classify correctly, avoid avoidable delays, and quote with confidence.