As in the EU, CN codes starting with 12.02 benefit from import duty exemptions, blanched peanut imports will continue being categorized as raw peanuts (duty free).
Background: During the 58th Session of the WCO’s Harmonized System Committee, held from September 28 to October 7, 2016, the HSC voted in favor of reclassifying blanched groundnuts in heading 20.08 (processed) instead of 12.02 (raw). If this classification had gone ahead, a significant tonnage of blanched peanut imports currently categorized as raw peanuts (duty free) would have been subject to import duties in the EU.
In December 2016, the INC sent a letter to the European Commission, asking DG TAXUD to reconsider the classification of blanched groundnuts as processed, in order to avoid severe market disruptions and costly consequences to millions of European consumers.