Whole Cloves (Neither Crushed nor Ground)

Commercial buyers commonly specify minimum eugenol (essential oil) content, moisture level (typically below 12–14%), and maximum stem-to-bud ratio, since stems contain less essential oil than buds and dilute quality. Cloves are also graded by size and freedom from insect damage. Importers should request certificates of analysis from suppliers and consider third-party pre-shipment inspection, as FDA may sample shipments for filth and moisture at the port of entry.

Yes — the heading explicitly covers whole fruit, cloves (buds), and stems of the clove tree, so a shipment consisting primarily of stems still classifies under 0907100000. However, if the product has been processed into clove oil or oleoresin, it would move to a different chapter (Chapter 33 for essential oils). The classification boundary is between the raw dried plant material and any extracted or processed derivative.