HS-2 · Chapter 12
HS chapter 12: Oil seeds; miscellaneous grains
Section II — Vegetable products
Oil seeds, oleaginous fruits, and various grains are essential for food production and industrial applications. For instance, importing soya beans (HS 1201) can be crucial for food processing or animal feed. Understanding the specific classifications helps ensure compliance and appropriate duties.
To determine the correct HS-4 code, start by identifying the product type. For example, if dealing with sunflower seeds, check if they are broken or unbroken to select between HS 1206 and HS 1207. The notes and titles in the HS-4 headings guide you in making this distinction.
Next, consider the end-use of the product. If you're importing hop cones for brewing, you would refer to HS 1210. Look closely at the product's form and intended application, as this will help you navigate potential confusion with similar items in the chapter.
Finally, be aware of national digits that may apply after selecting the HS-6 code. Each country may have specific requirements or additional classifications that could affect your import/export process.
Terms & reference phrasing
These phrases describe how this chapter is discussed in trade, customs, and search—they stay on this page for context; they are not search shortcuts.
oil seeds · oleaginous fruits · soya beans · ground-nuts · copra · sunflower seeds · cereal straw · medicinal plants · importing oil seeds · exporting grains · HS classification · national digits · trade compliance · agricultural products · animal feed · food processing
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Related topics
Longer phrases that come up when you're comparing codes or talking to a broker.
- how to classify oil seeds for export
- understanding HS codes for grains and seeds
- importing soya beans and compliance requirements
- choosing the right HS-4 code for sunflower seeds
- national digit requirements for oil seeds
- navigating HS classifications for agricultural products
- impact of end-use on HS code selection
- best practices for exporting medicinal plants
Examples & common questions
Example products are typical trade descriptions. Questions below are how people often frame classification for this chapter—use them as reading context, then confirm against your tariff book and legal notes.
Example products
- Soya beans (HS **1201**) for animal feed
- Ground-nuts (HS **1202**) for snack food production
- Copra (HS **1203**) for coconut oil extraction
- Sunflower seeds (HS **1206**) for oil production
- Flours from oil seeds (HS **1208**) for baking
- Hop cones (HS **1210**) for brewing beer
- Medicinal plants (HS **1211**) for herbal supplements
- Cereal straw (HS **1213**) for livestock bedding
Common classification questions
- What HS code do I use for sunflower seeds?
- How to classify soya beans for import?
- Are ground-nuts considered oil seeds?
- What are the national digits for oil seeds?
- How to determine the correct HS-4 code?
- What products fall under HS Chapter 12?
- How to handle import duties for copra?
- What are the end-use classifications for medicinal plants?
Questions & answers
For orientation only—the binding text is your national tariff and the WCO nomenclature your country uses.
- What is the difference between HS 1206 and HS 1207?
- HS **1206** refers specifically to sunflower seeds, while HS **1207** covers other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits that may be broken or unbroken.
- How do I determine if my product is classified as an oil seed?
- Check the product's characteristics, such as its oil content and intended use. If it is primarily used for oil extraction, it likely falls under the oil seeds category.
- What should I consider when importing medicinal plants?
- Ensure you understand the specific HS code, as well as any regulations regarding their use in pharmaceuticals or as food additives.
- Are there additional tariffs for importing oil seeds?
- Tariffs can vary by country and product type, so check the national tariff schedule for specific duties applicable to oil seeds.
- What are the packaging requirements for exporting grains?
- Packaging must ensure the product's integrity and comply with any phytosanitary regulations. Check local requirements for specific guidelines.
All HS-4 headings in chapter 12 (14)
Each HS-4 links to a dedicated page with plain-English explanation, HS-6 subheadings, and FAQs. Use Browse to open the lookup in heading mode for that line.
| HS-4 | WCO heading text | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| 1201 | Soya beans, whether or not broken | |
| 1202 | Ground-nuts; not roasted or otherwise cooked, whether or not shelled or broken | |
| 1203 | Copra | |
| 1204 | Oil seeds; linseed, whether or not broken | |
| 1205 | Rape or colza seeds; whether or not broken | |
| 1206 | Sunflower seeds; whether or not broken | |
| 1207 | Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, n.e.c. in chapter 12; whether or not broken | |
| 1208 | Flours and meals of oil seeds or oleaginous fruits; other than those of mustard | |
| 1209 | Seeds, fruit and spores; of a kind used for sowing | |
| 1210 | Hop cones, fresh or dried, whether or not ground, powdered or in the form of pellets; lupulin | |
| 1211 | Plants and parts of plants (including seeds and fruits), of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered | |
| 1212 | Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet, sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones, kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots) used primarily for human consumption, n.e.c. | |
| 1213 | Cereal straw and husks, unprepared; whether or not chopped, ground, pressed or in the form of pellets | |
| 1214 | Swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, lucerne (alfalfa), clover, sainfoin, forage kale, lupines, vetches and similar forage products, whether or not in the form of pellets |
Browse first heading (HS-4 1201)
Opens the lookup in heading browse for the first HS-4 block in this chapter (1201). Prefer the table above for a specific HS-4 page with full copy.
Before you file customs documents
Chapter pages on TradeTools are educational summaries, not legal classification determinations. Cross-check candidate codes with official notes, advance rulings where available, and your broker for high-value or borderline goods.
How we classify products explains what TradeTools does (and does not) automate.