Classifying pumpkins for Halloween 2024? Follow CN codes, check origin, and ensure compliance with updated customs rules for smooth clearance! 🎃
As the Halloween season approaches, pumpkins take centre stage—not only in homes across the EU but also in customs classifications. Whether it's for carving spooky lanterns or whipping up seasonal dishes, pumpkins are an essential commodity this time of year.
However, from a customs perspective, pumpkins present unique challenges that professionals must navigate, especially as we enter Halloween 2024.
Let's dedicate an entire blog to it this vital commodity!
Pumpkin Imports and Exports in Europe
Pumpkin production in the EU and the UK is significant, but trade is growing as well. In 2020, the EU harvested a staggering 760,000 tonnes of pumpkins and gourds, cultivated across 31,000 hectares of farmland. Many of these pumpkins come from five EU Member States: Poland, Spain, France, Portugal, and Germany, with Poland leading the charge.
But when it comes to pumpkin trade, the EU is both an importer and exporter. In 2020, imports reached 48,841 tonnes—a 57% increase from 2019—with the bulk coming from South Africa, Morocco, Brazil, and Argentina. On the export side, 22,614 tonnes of pumpkins were shipped from the EU, primarily to the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
For Halloween 2024, it’s crucial for customs professionals to understand where pumpkins are moving and how to classify them for accurate tariff assignment and compliance.
Customs Classification of Pumpkins in 2024: Where Do They Fit?
Pumpkins, along with squash and other gourds, fall under Chapter 07 of the HS for Edible Vegetables and Certain Roots and Tubers. However, it’s important to pinpoint the specific HS code depending on the product's state and purpose.
The most common classification codes are:
0709 93 90: Fresh pumpkins and other gourds. This is typically the code for pumpkins imported fresh, often for culinary purposes.
1212 99 95: Dried or preserved pumpkins, used primarily in food processing or for ornamental purposes.
A key rule to consider when classifying pumpkins is General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 1, which states that classification should be determined according to the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. If the pumpkin is being processed in any way (dried, pureed, or turned into seeds), professionals must consider whether it falls under a different subheading.
Pumpkins imported for this festive season could be used for both food and decorative purposes (like carving Jack-o’-lanterns), making it crucial to determine their intended use correctly for accurate classification.
Trade agreements make Pumpkins cheaper
Under preferential trade arrangements, countries like Morocco benefit from lower tariffs on vegetable products, so it’s critical to verify the pumpkins' origin and apply the correct rate. Customs professionals should always cross-check these details against the applicable tariff
Rules to Consider in 2024 for a scary Halloween
Several updated rules in 2023 and 2024Â must be considered for pumpkin imports and exports:
Proof of Origin: Ensure that preferential rates are applied only when valid certificates of origin are provided. For example, pumpkins imported from South Africa may be eligible for reduced tariffs under trade agreements, but only if documentation is complete and compliant with EU standards.
Phytosanitary Certificates: Pumpkins fall under agricultural goods, so phytosanitary controls are vital. Ensure that the pumpkins meet EU/UK health and safety standards to avoid delays at customs.
Customs Valuation: With rising transportation costs in 2023-2024, accurately calculating the customs value of imported pumpkins is crucial. Include CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight)Â in the valuation to determine the duty payable at customs.
Special Measures for Halloween 2024: The growing demand for pumpkins during the Halloween season may require customs professionals to prepare for seasonal surges. Customs declarations must be filed in advance, and professionals should anticipate potential changes to temporary import quotas or even safeguard measures if imports spike dramatically.
Halloween From the Perspective of a Customs Professional
As we gear up for Halloween 2024, the role of customs professionals becomes particularly vital. The surge in demand for pumpkins during this period presents both challenges and opportunities. Accurate classification, attention to trade agreements, and compliance with phytosanitary requirements are key to ensuring smooth operations. For those handling imports and exports, understanding the fine details—whether it’s a fresh pumpkin for a Halloween pie or a decorative gourd for a spooky display—will determine whether your supply chain runs smoothly or hits a roadblock.
As a customs professional, this season is an opportunity to demonstrate your expertise. Managing the increased volume of pumpkin imports while ensuring compliance with updated rules will help avoid delays and ensure timely delivery of these iconic symbols of the Halloween spirit.
So, while you're thinking about carving pumpkins for Halloween 2024, also consider how to classify them accurately. Remember, each pumpkin has its own story—from the field to the kitchen or the porch—and it's our job to guide them through customs seamlessly.
Conclusion
Halloween 2024 brings with it not just the eerie glow of Jack-o’-lanterns but also the need for meticulous customs classification and compliance.
For customs professionals, understanding the rules surrounding pumpkins—whether fresh, dried, or imported from far-flung countries—means the difference between a spooky smooth operation or a frightful snag at the border.
As we prepare for this festive season, what strategies are you employing to handle the influx of pumpkins in your supply chain?
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