Chapter Overview
Chapter 7 of the HTS covers edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers, whether fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, or provisionally preserved. This is one of the highest-volume agricultural import chapters, with the United States importing billions of dollars in vegetables annually — primarily from Mexico, Canada, and Central America.
Vegetable imports sit at the intersection of multiple regulatory frameworks. Every shipment requires FDA prior notice. Many fresh vegetables require APHIS phytosanitary clearance based on the specific product and country of origin. Seasonal tariff-rate quotas add time-based duty variability. And perishable logistics mean that any customs delay translates directly into spoilage and financial loss.
The classification complexity in Chapter 7 is driven by product state (fresh vs. frozen vs. dried), processing level (whole vs. cut vs. shelled), and seasonal duty provisions. Importers who do not account for these variables regularly encounter duty surprises and compliance holds. For a deeper look at food import requirements, see our food and beverage industry page.
Common HTS Codes in Chapter 7
| HTS Code | Description | Representative Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0702.00 | Tomatoes, fresh or chilled | Free – 3.9¢/kg (seasonal) |
| 0703.10 | Onions and shallots, fresh or chilled | 3.1¢/kg – 5.8¢/kg |
| 0707.00 | Cucumbers, fresh or chilled | 3.6¢/kg – 5.6¢/kg (seasonal) |
| 0709.60 | Peppers (Capsicum or Pimenta), fresh or chilled | 3.4¢/kg – 4.7¢/kg |
| 0709.93 | Pumpkins, squash, and gourds, fresh or chilled | Free – 5.6¢/kg |
| 0710.10 | Frozen potatoes (uncooked or cooked by steaming/boiling) | 8% |
| 0710.21 | Frozen peas (uncooked or cooked by steaming/boiling) | 2.8% |
| 0710.80 | Other frozen vegetables | 7.9% – 14.9% |
| 0713.33 | Dried kidney beans | Free – 1.5¢/kg |
| 0714.10 | Fresh or dried cassava (manioc) | Free |
Note: Many Chapter 7 duty rates are expressed in cents per kilogram rather than as a percentage of value (ad valorem). This means the effective duty rate depends on the unit value of the product. Low-value, high-volume vegetables can face a higher effective rate than the cents-per-kg figure suggests. Always calculate the effective ad valorem equivalent for your specific product.
Duty Rates & Additional Tariffs
Chapter 7 duty rates are complex because they combine ad valorem rates, specific rates (cents per kilogram), seasonal variations, and tariff-rate quotas (TRQs). The same product can face very different duty treatment depending on when it arrives and where it comes from.
Seasonal tariffs: Several vegetable products have split duty rates that change based on the time of year. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and squash all have seasonal windows during which duty rates are higher — typically aligned with domestic growing seasons. Importers must match their entry date to the correct seasonal provision or risk underpayment.
Tariff-rate quotas (TRQs): Some vegetable imports operate under TRQs, where a certain volume enters at a lower in-quota rate and volumes above the quota threshold face a much higher over-quota rate. TRQ management requires monitoring quota fill levels and timing entries to avoid the higher rate.
Section 301 exposure: Certain vegetable products from China are subject to Section 301 tariffs. While China is not a major source of fresh produce for the U.S. market, processed and dried vegetable products from China can carry Section 301 surcharges that significantly increase landed cost.
PGA & Compliance Requirements
FDA Prior Notice
All vegetable imports require FDA prior notice. The filing must be received by FDA electronically before the shipment arrives. For ocean shipments, the minimum advance window is 8 hours; for air, it is 4 hours. Fresh produce shipments are time-sensitive, so late prior notice filings can cause spoilage-level delays.
APHIS Phytosanitary Requirements
Fresh vegetables are subject to APHIS plant health regulations. APHIS maintains a Fruits and Vegetables Import Requirements (FAVIR) database that specifies which products from which countries are admissible, and under what conditions (treatment, inspection, phytosanitary certificate). Products not listed in FAVIR as admissible from a given origin are prohibited from entry. A phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country's national plant protection organization is required for most fresh produce.
FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program)
Importers of vegetables must comply with the FSVP rule, which requires documented hazard analysis, supplier verification activities, and corrective action procedures for each foreign supplier. FSVP compliance is audited by FDA, and non-compliance can result in warning letters, import alerts, and refusal of future shipments. For detailed guidance, see our FSVP compliance guide.
Pesticide Tolerances
The EPA sets pesticide residue tolerances for all food products. Vegetables that exceed EPA tolerance levels are subject to detention and refusal by FDA. This is a particular concern for produce from countries with different pesticide regulatory frameworks than the United States. Importers should require pesticide testing documentation from their suppliers.
Country of Origin Considerations
Mexico is the dominant source of U.S. vegetable imports, followed by Canada, Peru, and Guatemala. Origin determines both duty treatment and phytosanitary admissibility.
USMCA preference: Most vegetables from Mexico and Canada enter duty-free under USMCA, provided the product meets the rules of origin (which for fresh produce is generally straightforward — the product must be harvested in the territory). USMCA preference eliminates the MFN duty rate, which can be significant for products like frozen vegetables that carry 8-15% MFN rates. For details on USMCA, see our USMCA rules of origin guide.
Phytosanitary admissibility by origin: Not all vegetables from all countries are admissible. APHIS maintains country-specific admissibility lists, and a product that is admissible from Mexico may not be admissible from another country without additional treatment or preclearance. Importers must verify admissibility before the product is shipped.
Section 301 on China-origin products: Dried and processed vegetables from China can face Section 301 tariffs in addition to base MFN rates. Garlic, mushrooms, and other dried vegetables from China are particularly affected.
Common Classification Mistakes
Confusing Fresh and Frozen Provisions
Chapter 7 treats fresh/chilled vegetables (headings 0701-0709) differently from frozen vegetables (heading 0710) and dried vegetables (headings 0712-0713). A chilled product that partially freezes during transit may raise classification questions. The correct heading depends on the product's condition as imported, not its condition when it left the supplier.
Ignoring Seasonal Duty Rates
Importers who look up a duty rate for tomatoes or peppers without checking the seasonal provision can significantly undercalculate their duty exposure. Seasonal rates often apply during domestic growing seasons (roughly March through July for many products), and the rate difference can be meaningful.
Overlooking Processing-Level Distinctions
Vegetables that have been cut, sliced, or minimally processed but not cooked may still classify under Chapter 7. However, if the processing crosses the threshold into preparation or preservation (cooking, saucing, pickling), the product typically moves to Chapter 20. The line between "provisionally preserved" (still Chapter 7) and "prepared or preserved" (Chapter 20) is a frequent source of misclassification. For guidance on fresh produce imports specifically, see our importing fruits and vegetables guide.