U.S. exports of Ryegrass Seeds for Sowing (HS 120925) totaled $7.9M in August 2026.
Importers of Ryegrass Seeds for Sowing paid $21K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.62% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Ryegrass Seeds for Sowing imports of $3.5M in August 2026 ran 84% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.9M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataAnnual and perennial ryegrass seeds are classified to separate US tariff lines (1209250020 and 1209250040) under heading 120925, a distinction that reflects their fundamentally different agronomic roles: annual ryegrass is used primarily for quick-establishing cover crops and winter overseeding, while perennial ryegrass is a staple of permanent pastures and high-wear turf. New Zealand is a globally recognized center of perennial ryegrass breeding and is a leading supplier alongside Canada. USDA APHIS phytosanitary inspection applies at entry, and endophyte status — a fungal symbiont that affects livestock safety — is increasingly specified in commercial contracts for perennial varieties.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
159 import shipments a month
Endophyte fungi (Epichloë festucae var. lolii) naturally occurring in perennial ryegrass can cause ryegrass staggers in livestock at high infection levels. While endophyte status is not a CBP classification criterion, it is a critical commercial specification: buyers in pasture markets often require certified low-endophyte or novel-endophyte seed, and this must be documented by the exporting seed company. Importers should request endophyte test certificates alongside phytosanitary documentation.
Annual (Lolium multiflorum) and perennial (Lolium perenne) ryegrass are distinct species that classify to different 10-digit HTS lines. If species identity cannot be confirmed from the exporter's documentation or seed analysis certificate, CBP may require additional evidence or reclassify the entry. Importers should ensure that phytosanitary certificates and commercial invoices specify the botanical species name, not just 'ryegrass.'
Subheading 2 of 10 in heading 1209
Subheading 120925 · $7.9M of $51.5M
Trade Directory
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ImportsExports
Imports
$3.5MYoY · free account
Exports
$7.9MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $23.3M of Ryegrass Seeds for Sowing and exported $82.2M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1209250040 | Rye Grass Seed for Sowing, Perennial | $3.4M | 0.63% | 12.67% | $21K |
| 1209250020 | Rye Grass Seed for Sowing, Annual | $116K | 0.25% | 2.01% | $290 |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1209250020 | Rye Grass Seed for Sowing, Annual | $5.2M |
| 1209250040 | Rye Grass Seed for Sowing, Perennial | $2.8M |
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.
Exports · August 2026
destination
South Korea and Canada together take 49% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
87.7% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 0.62% of imports for consumption.