HTS US: 1209.XX.XXXX
Description
HTS Code 1209 encompasses seeds, fruits, and spores that are primarily used for sowing purposes. These include a wide variety of agricultural and horticultural seeds ranging from sugar beet seeds to vegetable seeds and herbaceous plants cultivated for flowers. The classification covers seeds intended for propagation and cultivation rather than for consumption or processing.
The products under this code are generally raw seeds, sorted and prepared for planting, and may include certified or other quality grades depending on the specific subheading.
Code Hierarchy
- Section II:
- Vegetable Products (Chapters 7-14)
- Chapter 12: Oil Seeds and Oleaginous Fruits; Miscellaneous Seeds; Fruit; Industrial or Medicinal Plants; Straw and Fodder
- Heading 1209: Seeds, fruits and spores of a kind used for sowing.
- US HTS Code (10-digit):
1209.XX.XXXX– Specifies the exact type of seed or fruit and its classification.
Detailed Breakdown of Subheadings
The 4-digit HS heading 1209 is subdivided into more specific 6-digit and 10-digit codes to distinguish between various species and seed types. The following table provides a detailed list of these codes and their descriptions.
| HS/HTS Code | Description | Examples & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1209.10.00.00 | Sugar beet seeds | Seeds from sugar beet plants used for cultivation of sugar-producing crops. |
| 1209.21.00 | Alfalfa (lucerne) seeds | Seeds of alfalfa, a leguminous forage crop widely grown for hay and pasture. |
| 1209.21.00.20 | Certified | Alfalfa seeds certified for quality and purity. |
| 1209.21.00.40 | Other | Alfalfa seeds not certified. |
| 1209.22 | Clover (Trifolium spp.) seeds | Seeds from clover plants, important forage legumes. |
| 1209.22.20.00 | White and ladino | Common clover varieties used for pasture and soil improvement. |
| 1209.22.40 | Other | Other clover seed types including: |
| 1209.22.40.20 | Alsike | Alsike clover, a hardy species adapted to wetter soils. |
| 1209.22.40.30 | Crimson | Crimson clover, used as a cover crop and forage. |
| 1209.22.40.41 | Double cut | Double cut clover seed, indicating quality or harvest method. |
| 1209.22.40.49 | Other | Other clover varieties not specified elsewhere. |
| 1209.22.40.60 | Sweet | Sweet clover, used for forage and soil improvement. |
| 1209.22.40.95 | Other | Miscellaneous clover seed types. |
| 1209.23.00 | Fescue seeds | Grass seeds used for pasture and turf. |
| 1209.23.00.20 | Tall | Tall fescue variety, popular for its resilience. |
| 1209.23.00.31 | Certified | Certified fescue seeds. |
| 1209.23.00.39 | Other | Non-certified fescue seeds. |
| 1209.23.00.60 | Meadow | Meadow fescue, commonly used in pasture mixes. |
| 1209.23.00.90 | Other | Miscellaneous fescue seeds. |
| 1209.24.00.00 | Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis L.) seeds | Popular grass seed for lawns and turf. |
| 1209.25.00 | Rye grass (Lolium multiflorium Lam., Lolium perenne L.) seeds | Grass seeds used for forage and turf. |
| 1209.25.00.20 | Annual | Annual ryegrass, quick-growing pasture grass. |
| 1209.25.00.40 | Perennial | Perennial ryegrass, durable and common in pastures. |
| 1209.29 | Other seeds | Various other seeds not covered above. |
| 1209.29.10.00 | Beet | Seeds of other beet varieties. |
| 1209.29.91 | Other | Includes a variety of grass and forage seeds such as: |
| 1209.29.91.20 | Bent grass (genus Agrostis) | Grass seeds used for turf and golf courses. |
| 1209.29.91.25 | Husked | Husked seed varieties. |
| 1209.29.91.26 | Other | Other husked seed types. |
| 1209.29.91.30 | Birdsfoot trefoil | Leguminous forage seed. |
| 1209.29.91.36 | Meadow | Meadow grass varieties. |
| 1209.29.91.37 | Smooth | Smooth grass seeds. |
| 1209.29.91.38 | Other | Miscellaneous other grasses. |
| 1209.29.91.40 | Orchard grass | Popular forage grass seed. |
| 1209.29.91.60 | Sudan grass | Forage grass seed used in warmer climates. |
| 1209.29.91.71 | Crested | Crested grass seed variety. |
| 1209.29.91.74 | Other | Other unidentified grass seeds. |
| 1209.29.91.76 | Wild rye | Wild rye seeds used for forage. |
| 1209.29.91.79 | Other grass | Other grass seeds not specified. |
| 1209.29.91.96 | Other | Miscellaneous seeds. |
| 1209.30.00 | Seeds of herbaceous plants cultivated principally for their flowers | Includes ornamental flower seeds. |
| 1209.30.00.10 | Petunia | Petunia flower seeds, popular ornamental. |
| 1209.30.00.90 | Other | Other flower seeds. |
| 1209.91 | Vegetable seeds | Seeds of vegetables intended for planting. |
| 1209.91.10.00 | Cauliflower | Cauliflower seeds. |
| 1209.91.20.00 | Celery | Celery seeds. |
| 1209.91.40.00 | Onion | Onion seeds. |
| 1209.91.50.00 | Parsley | Parsley seeds. |
| 1209.91.60 | Pepper | Peppers seeds, including: |
| 1209.91.60.10 | Sweet pepper | Sweet pepper seeds. |
| 1209.91.60.90 | Other | Other pepper seeds. |
| 1209.91.80 | Other vegetable seeds | Various other vegetable seeds including: |
| 1209.91.80.05 | Broccoli | Broccoli seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.08 | Green cabbage | Green cabbage seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.09 | Other | Other vegetable seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.10 | Carrot | Carrot seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.20 | Radish | Radish seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.30 | Spinach | Spinach seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.40 | Cucumber | Cucumber seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.45 | Kale | Kale seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.47 | Kohlrabi | Kohlrabi seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.50 | Lettuce | Lettuce seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.54 | Parsnip | Parsnip seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.55 | Pumpkin | Pumpkin seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.60 | Squash | Squash seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.70 | Tomato | Tomato seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.74 | Turnip | Turnip seeds. |
| 1209.91.80.90 | Other | Other miscellaneous vegetable seeds. |
| 1209.99 | Other seeds not specified elsewhere | Miscellaneous seeds including: |
| 1209.99.20.00 | Tree and shrub | Seeds for tree and shrub propagation. |
| 1209.99.41 | Other | Additional miscellaneous seeds. |
| 1209.99.41.70 | Tobacco | Tobacco seeds used for cultivation. |
| 1209.99.41.90 | Other | Other unspecified seeds. |
What is NOT Classified Here?
To ensure accurate classification, note that the following are excluded from this heading:
- Processed or prepared seeds intended for consumption rather than sowing.
- Plants, cuttings, or other vegetative propagating material which fall under different classifications.
- Seeds treated with chemicals that change their classification.
Notes
- Quality and Certification: Some subheadings specify certified seeds, which meet quality and purity standards necessary for agricultural use.
- Usage: The primary use of these seeds is for planting and agricultural propagation rather than direct consumption or processing.
- Regulations: Import and export of seeds under HTS 1209 may be subject to phytosanitary regulations and certifications to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
Declaration Example
Product: Shipment of certified alfalfa seeds from the United States.US HTS Code:
1209.21.00.20(Certified alfalfa seeds)Unit of Quantity: Kilogram (kg)
General Duty Rate: Check current USHTS (May vary depending on trade agreements and origin)
Additional Requirements: Phytosanitary certificate and seed certification documentation.
Related HTS Codes
- HTS 1201-1208: Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits not primarily for sowing.
- HTS 1210: Plants and parts of plants (including seeds) for sowing but not classified under 1209.
- HTS 0602: Other live plants (including roots), cuttings and slips; mushroom spawn.
