Chapter Overview
Chapter 8 of the HTS covers edible fruit and nuts, citrus peel, and melons — fresh, dried, frozen, or provisionally preserved. The United States is one of the world's largest fruit importers, bringing in over $25 billion annually in bananas, avocados, berries, mangoes, grapes, citrus, and tree nuts. Mexico, Chile, Peru, Guatemala, and Costa Rica are the leading source countries.
Fruit imports combine the perishable logistics challenge of Chapter 7 vegetables with additional APHIS phytosanitary complexity. Many fresh fruits require specific treatments (cold treatment, irradiation, fumigation) before they can enter the U.S., and admissibility is strictly controlled on a country-by-product basis. A fruit that is admissible from Chile may not be admissible from Colombia, regardless of duty treatment.
The classification landscape in Chapter 8 is shaped by product state (fresh vs. frozen vs. dried), seasonal duty provisions for temperate fruits, and the distinction between whole fruit and processed formats. Importers who source from multiple origins need origin-specific compliance strategies for each product. For a broader look at food import compliance, see our food and beverage industry page.
Common HTS Codes in Chapter 8
| HTS Code | Description | Representative Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0803.90 | Bananas (fresh or dried) | Free |
| 0804.40 | Avocados, fresh or dried | 11.2¢/kg (MFN); Free (USMCA) |
| 0804.50 | Mangoes, fresh or dried | 6.6¢/kg |
| 0806.10 | Fresh grapes | Free – $1.13/m³ (seasonal) |
| 0808.10 | Fresh apples | Free |
| 0810.10 | Fresh strawberries | 1.2¢/kg – 2.8¢/kg (seasonal) |
| 0810.20 | Fresh raspberries, blackberries, mulberries | Free |
| 0810.40 | Fresh blueberries | Free – 11.2¢/kg (seasonal) |
| 0802.12 | Almonds, shelled | Free |
| 0801.32 | Cashew nuts, shelled | Free |
Note: Several Chapter 8 products have seasonal duty splits. Blueberries, strawberries, and grapes all have time-of-year provisions that change the rate. Check the specific subheading notes in the HTS for exact seasonal windows before calculating landed cost.
Duty Rates & Additional Tariffs
Chapter 8 duty rates span a wide range. Many tropical fruits (bananas, pineapples, papayas, mangoes) carry low or zero MFN rates because the U.S. does not produce them domestically. Temperate fruits with significant U.S. production (berries, grapes, stone fruit) tend to carry seasonal tariffs designed to protect domestic growers during harvest season.
Seasonal rate splits: Blueberries, strawberries, and table grapes all have dual-rate provisions. During the domestic off-season, the rate may be free or minimal. During the domestic growing season, a higher rate applies. The exact dates and rates vary by product and are specified in the subheading notes of the HTS.
Tree nuts: Most tree nuts enter duty-free, making the U.S. an active market for imported almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pistachios. The compliance focus for nuts is primarily on phytosanitary requirements and aflatoxin testing rather than duty exposure.
Section 301 exposure: Certain dried and processed fruits from China are subject to Section 301 tariffs. While fresh fruit from China is a relatively small category for U.S. imports, dried fruits and preserved formats may carry significant additional tariffs from Chinese origin.
PGA & Compliance Requirements
APHIS Phytosanitary Requirements
Fresh fruit is one of the most heavily regulated product categories under APHIS jurisdiction. Every fresh fruit import requires verification against the APHIS FAVIR database for country-of-origin admissibility. Common treatment requirements include cold treatment (maintained at specific temperatures for a set duration during transit), irradiation, and methyl bromide fumigation. The specific treatment depends on the fruit, the country of origin, and the pest risks associated with that origin.
FDA Prior Notice
All fruit imports require FDA prior notice under the Bioterrorism Act. For perishable cargo, timing is critical — prior notice must be filed and confirmed before the shipment arrives. Late filings cause port holds that directly translate to spoilage for fresh fruit.
FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program)
Fruit importers must maintain FSVP records documenting hazard analysis, supplier verification, and corrective actions for each foreign supplier. FDA conducts FSVP inspections of importers, and non-compliance can result in warning letters and import alerts that affect all future shipments from that supplier. See our FSVP compliance guide for details.
Pesticide Residue Monitoring
FDA and USDA both conduct pesticide residue monitoring on imported fruit. Products exceeding EPA tolerance levels are detained and refused. Certain fruits from certain origins receive heightened scrutiny based on historical violation rates. Importers should proactively test for pesticide residues and maintain documentation of their suppliers' pest management practices.
Country of Origin Considerations
Origin determines both the duty rate and whether the fruit can legally enter the United States. These two constraints operate independently — a fruit may qualify for a preferential duty rate under a trade agreement but still be inadmissible under APHIS phytosanitary rules.
USMCA (Mexico and Canada): Most fresh fruit from Mexico enters duty-free under USMCA. Avocados, berries, mangoes, and citrus from Mexico are major import categories. Canadian blueberries, cranberries, and greenhouse-grown produce also benefit from USMCA preferential treatment. For details, see our USMCA rules of origin guide.
Free trade agreement partners: Chile, Peru, and Colombia all have bilateral FTAs with the U.S. that provide preferential or duty-free treatment for many fruits. Chilean grapes, Peruvian blueberries, and Colombian bananas are among the largest beneficiaries. Importers should verify the specific product-level schedule of each FTA.
Phytosanitary admissibility: APHIS admissibility is strictly country-by-product. A new origin for a given fruit requires a formal pest risk analysis by APHIS before the product can be imported — a process that can take years. Importers planning to source from a new origin should verify FAVIR admissibility before contracting with suppliers.
Common Classification Mistakes
Misclassifying Processed Fruit
Chapter 8 covers fresh, dried, frozen, and provisionally preserved fruit. Once fruit is cooked, candied, sugared, or otherwise prepared, it typically moves to Chapter 20 (preparations of vegetables, fruit, and nuts). Dried fruit stays in Chapter 8; fruit preserved in syrup belongs in Chapter 20. The distinction matters because duty rates and PGA requirements differ between the two chapters.
Ignoring Seasonal Rate Windows
Importers who calculate landed cost using off-season rates and then ship during the domestic growing season face unexpected duty increases. Seasonal rate provisions for berries, grapes, and certain stone fruits are a common source of filing errors. The seasonal dates are specific to each subheading and must be checked for each shipment.
Treating "Nuts" as a Single Category
Nuts in Chapter 8 are classified based on species, processing level (in-shell vs. shelled), and whether they are fresh, dried, or roasted. Shelled almonds classify differently from in-shell almonds. Roasted nuts may leave Chapter 8 entirely and classify under Chapter 20. Importers who use a generic "nuts" classification without specifying species and processing level are likely misclassifying their product. For more on produce imports, see our guide to importing fruits and vegetables.