0909.31.00.00 - Neither crushed nor ground

This HTS classification pertains to seeds of cumin that are neither crushed nor ground. This means the cumin seeds are in their whole, intact form, maintaining their natural structure. Examples include whole dried cumin seeds used for culinary purposes, as a spice, or for flavoring. The classification specifically excludes any processed forms of cumin seeds that have undergone milling or breaking.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from its sibling, HTS 0909.32.00.00, which covers crushed or ground cumin seeds. The operative distinction lies in the physical state of the product. If the cumin seeds have been broken down into smaller particles, even partially, they would fall under the "crushed or ground" category. This classification, 0909.31.00.00, is strictly for whole, unprocessed seeds.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS classification system, there are no further subcategories. All whole, uncrushed, and unground cumin seeds will be classified under this specific code. Therefore, importers and exporters must carefully verify the physical condition of the cumin seeds to ensure accurate declaration and avoid misclassification.