Loose Yerba Mate Leaves
Dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, known as yerba maté, packaged loose for brewing traditional South American infusions. This falls under HTS 0903.00.00.00 as maté, which specifically covers the leaves and leaf fragments of this plant prepared for beverage use. It excludes cubeb pepper or other herbal products classified elsewhere.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If unprocessed or not specifically prepared for beverage
Raw or medicinal plant materials of maté not fitting the beverage leaf definition go to heading 1211 for other plants used in perfumery, pharmacy, or similar uses.
If roasted, flavored, or mixed with other extracts
Maté altered by roasting or blending with syrups, sugars, or other extracts becomes an extract of maté under 2101, not plain maté leaves.
If sold in tea bags or marketed primarily as 'tea'
Maté packaged like black tea in bags may be statistically classified under tea subheadings, though legally it remains 0903; customs may require correction.
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Import Tips & Compliance
• Verify purity to comply with 21 U.S.C. 41 prohibiting impure maté imports, except under Chapter 98; provide lab certificates if challenged
• For packages under 2.3 kg net, immediate containers from Australia, Canada, etc
• enter duty-free even if not empty—document origin accurately
• Label as 'maté' or 'yerba maté' per FDA food standards; mislabeling as tea risks reclassification and penalties
Related Products under HTS 0903.00.00.00
Yerba Mate Green Coarse Cut
Coarsely cut, unaged green yerba maté leaves retaining their natural grassy flavor, ideal for gourd brewing. Classified under HTS 0903.00.00.00 as plain maté leaves, distinct from processed teas or flavored variants. Chapter notes exclude cubeb pepper, confirming maté's unique placement.
Convent Traditional Yerba Mate
Finely milled yerba maté aged with smoke from sugar cane embers, following Jesuit convent methods for a robust flavor. HTS 0903.00.00.00 covers all maté leaf preparations, including smoked variants, as long as unmixed and unadulterated. Distinct from chapter-prohibited pepper shells.
Organic Yerba Mate Leaves
Certified organic Ilex paraguariensis leaves, free from pesticides, dried for chimarrão preparation. Falls squarely under HTS 0903.00.00.00 for maté; statistical notes reference organic standards but do not alter classification. Puerto Rico duty exceptions apply only to certain teas, not maté.
Yerba Mate Stems and Leaves Mix
Standard commercial yerba maté blending 70% leaves and 30% stems for balanced infusion strength. HTS 0903.00.00.00 accommodates typical maté compositions; excessive impurities prohibited per US notes. Not covered by tea container rules.
Flavored Yerba Mate Unscented Base
Plain maté leaf base for later flavoring, dried without additives. Strictly HTS 0903.00.00.00 as unmixed maté; any essence addition would shift classification. Chapter excludes cubeba explicitly.
Bulk Yerba Mate for Export
Large-quantity unbranded yerba maté leaves in 25kg bags for wholesale. HTS 0903.00.00.00 applies regardless of packaging scale; no small-container exemption for bulk. US notes prohibit pepper shells analogously.