Fresh Chinese Water Chestnuts from Mexico
Fresh Chinese water chestnuts (Eleocharis dulcis) are small, round aquatic tubers harvested from wetland farms, prized for their crisp texture and mild, nutty flavor in Asian stir-fries and salads. They fall under HTS 0714.90.05.00 as fresh or chilled roots and tubers with high starch content, specifically named in the tariff schedule.
Duty Rate — Mexico → United States
30%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.5510%Section 301 (forced labor) — additional 10% ad valorem on products of Mexico
Import Tips
• Verify phytosanitary certificates from exporting countries like China or Thailand to meet USDA APHIS requirements for fresh tubers
• Maintain cold chain below 7°C during transit to preserve freshness and avoid reclassification as dried
• Avoid common pitfalls like mislabeling as 'canned' which shifts to Chapter 20; declare as fresh/chilled only