Buyer Guide · Kohenoor International
HS Code 0603.90 Dried Rose Petals: Complete Import Documentation Guide
Customs codes, country-specific import requirements, phytosanitary protocols, and the 7 documents that prevent shipment delays for buyers importing dried Rosa damascena worldwide.
The single most expensive mistake new importers make is not pricing — it is documentation. A 5-ton shipment of dried rose petals can sit at port for 3 weeks costing $200+/day in demurrage because a phytosanitary certificate referenced the wrong botanical name.
This guide is the customs reference for dried rose petals, rose buds, rose petal powder, and rose water under the Harmonized System (HS) codes. We cover the right code per product, country-specific import requirements for the EU, US, GCC, China, and Australia, and the exact paperwork every shipment must carry.
What's in This Guide
The Four HS Codes Every Rose Importer Must Know
| Product | HS Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dried rose petals (whole or broken) | 0603.90.00 | Cut flowers and flower buds, dried, dyed, bleached, impregnated, otherwise prepared |
| Dried rose buds (whole) | 0603.90.00 | Same code as petals; declared as "Rose buds, dried, whole" |
| Rose petal powder (food/cosmetic) | 1211.90.86 | Plants, parts of plants used in perfumery, pharmacy, or insecticidal/fungicidal/similar purposes |
| Rose water (hydrosol) | 3301.29.00 | Essential oils, terpenic by-products; rose hydrosol falls under aqueous distillates |
Some countries use the 8 or 10-digit national extension. EU TARIC code for 0603.90 is 0603 90 00 90. US HTSUS code is 0603.90.0000.
EU Imports — TARIC, Phytosanitary, and GSP+
EU imports of dried rose petals (HS 0603.90) face: (a) standard EU phytosanitary inspection at the first EU port, (b) MRL compliance under EU Reg 396/2005, (c) potential GSP+ preference if the origin is a GSP+ beneficiary like Pakistan.
Tariff: 0% under GSP+ for Pakistani origin; 8.5% MFN otherwise. The phytosanitary certificate must declare "free from Quarantine Pests as defined in Annex II of EU 2019/2072". Mandatory: photometric pest scan at port.
US Imports — FDA Prior Notice + USDA Inspection
USA requires: (1) Importer of Record (IOR) number, (2) FDA Prior Notice filing 8 hours before shipment arrival, (3) USDA APHIS plant inspection at port, (4) FCC duties (currently 0% on 0603.90.0000 for most-favored-nation countries).
FDA Food Facility Registration is required if the petals are intended for human consumption. Cosmetic-grade rose petals do not need food facility registration but do require FDA cosmetic ingredient compliance.
GCC Imports — SFDA, ESMA, and Customs
Saudi Arabia (SFDA), UAE (ESMA), and other GCC countries accept HS 0603.90 with: phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin attested by Chamber of Commerce, halal certificate (for food-grade), and product-specific compliance with local food safety law. UAE applies 5% VAT + 0% customs duty under GCC unified tariff.
China — GACC Registration Required
Since January 2022, China requires all overseas food exporters to register with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) before any food shipment. For HS 0603.90 categorized as "edible plants and parts thereof", GACC registration code is 1503. Kohenoor International is GACC registered.
The 7 Mandatory Documents
- Commercial Invoice (with HS code, FOB/CIF, payment terms)
- Packing List (net + gross + dimensions)
- Bill of Lading (negotiable or straight, your choice)
- Phytosanitary Certificate (issued by exporting country's plant protection department)
- Certificate of Origin (Chamber of Commerce attested)
- Lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (third-party lab: SGS / Intertek)
- Compliance bundle: ISO 22000, HACCP, HALAL, country-specific (FDA Prior Notice for US, GACC for China, etc.)
Common Customs Delays — And How to Avoid Them
The three documentation failures that cause 80% of clearance delays:
- Wrong botanical name on phytosanitary certificate. "Rose" is not enough. Must read "Rosa damascena Mill." for premium grade. We attach the species verification COA section to the phyto.
- Missing lot number traceability. The COA lot number must match the packing list and outer carton labels. EU and FDA inspectors check this.
- Mismatched HS code between exporter and importer. If we ship as 0603.90 and your broker files as 1211.90, your duties calculation is wrong and the shipment gets flagged. Confirm HS classification with your broker before we ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What HS code covers dried rose petals for import?
HS Code 0603.90.00 covers dried, cut flowers and flower buds including dried rose petals. Some countries use 8-digit extensions: EU TARIC 0603 90 00 90, US HTSUS 0603.90.0000.
Is the HS code the same for rose buds and rose petals?
Yes. Both whole dried rose buds and broken dried rose petals fall under HS 0603.90.00. Declare on the commercial invoice as 'Rose petals, dried' or 'Rose buds, dried' for clarity.
What HS code is rose petal powder under?
Rose petal powder typically falls under HS 1211.90.86 ('plants and parts of plants used in perfumery, pharmacy, or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes'). For food-grade powder specifically marketed as a culinary ingredient, some customs offices accept 0904.22 (other spices, ground). Confirm with your broker.
What HS code is rose water under?
Rose water (hydrosol) is classified under HS 3301.29.00 ('Essential oils; resinoids; terpenic by-products'). Aqueous distillates like rose water fall under the same chapter as essential oils.
Do I need an import license for dried rose petals?
For most countries: no. Dried rose petals are not on restricted import lists. You do need: a registered importer of record, the phytosanitary certificate, and country-specific food/cosmetic compliance documentation.
Are dried rose petals subject to import duty?
Duty rates vary by country and trade agreement. EU MFN rate is 8.5% (0% under GSP+ for Pakistani origin). US is 0% on HS 0603.90.0000. UAE/Saudi 0% customs + 5% VAT (UAE). China 6% MFN + 13% VAT.
How long is a phytosanitary certificate valid for?
Phytosanitary certificates are issued per-shipment and are valid for the duration of that shipment's transit. There is no separate expiry — the certificate accompanies the goods from exit port to entry port. A new certificate is required for every shipment, even from the same exporter.
What is GACC registration for China imports?
General Administration of Customs of China requires overseas food exporters to register through the CIFER system since January 2022. The registration is product-category specific. For dried rose petals (categorized as edible plants and parts), the GACC code is 1503. Without it, food shipments to China are rejected at port.
Can I clear dried rose petals as 'gift' or 'sample'?
Samples up to 50-100 grams typically clear via DHL/FedEx air freight under low-value courier rules with simplified documentation. Anything beyond personal-use quantity (typically > 1 kg) requires full commercial documentation regardless of stated 'gift' or 'sample' purpose. Customs valuation is by quantity and product type, not by declared intent.
Does Kohenoor International handle DAP (Delivered At Place) for new buyers?
Yes. For first-time buyers without an established freight forwarder, we offer DAP (Delivered At Place) quotations to most countries. We handle phytosanitary, ocean freight, destination customs clearance, and final delivery. DAP pricing is typically 15-25% above FOB Karachi depending on destination.
Article reviewed by Usman Hayat, Export Director at Kohenoor International — a multi-generational Rosa damascena export house operating since 1957 from Hyderabad, Pakistan & Officer VIC, Australia. Have a sourcing question? Reach us on WhatsApp.