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U.S. exports of alfalfa (lucerne) seeds for sowing (HS 120921) totaled $4.5M in July 2026.
Alfalfa (Lucerne) Seeds for Sowing imports of $115K in July 2026 ran 95% below the year-to-date monthly average of $2.5M.
Last updated: July 2026 dataCertified and non-certified alfalfa seed — also widely traded as lucerne seed — occupies two distinct US tariff lines (1209210020 and 1209210040), with certification status driving both classification and phytosanitary documentation requirements. USDA APHIS enforces quarantine inspection at entry, and importers must present phytosanitary certificates attesting to freedom from regulated pests and noxious weed seed contamination. Canada is the dominant supplier, with Australia and Italy also contributing meaningfully to US import volumes. Seed lot purity and germination standards set by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) are often referenced in commercial contracts alongside HTS classification.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
5 shipments/mo
Certified alfalfa seed (1209210020) has been officially inspected and labeled by an accredited seed certifying agency meeting AOSCA or equivalent standards, while non-certified seed (1209210040) covers all other alfalfa seed for sowing. The distinction affects not only the tariff line but also the documentation required at entry and the seed's marketability to buyers who specify certified-only lots.
A phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of the exporting country is required. USDA APHIS may also require additional declarations or treatments if the seed originates from a region with regulated pests such as alfalfa weevil or specific noxious weed species. Consult a licensed customs broker or APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine for current admissibility requirements.
HSChapter 12
Subheading 9 of 10 in heading 1209
Subheading 120921 · $115K of $49.2M
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1209210040 | Alfalfa (Lucerne) Seed for Sowing Except Certified | $95K | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| 1209210020 | Alfalfa (Lucerne) Seed for Sowing, Certified | $19K | 0.00% | 0.00% |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1209210020 | Alfalfa (Lucerne) Seed for Sowing, Certified | $3.1M |
| 1209210040 | Alfalfa (Lucerne) Seed for Sowing Except Certified | $1.5M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
ImportsExports
Imports
$115KYoY · Pro
Exports
$4.5MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · July 2026
destination
Mexico and Libya together take 74% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
100.0% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 0.00%.