Harmonized System
U.S. exports of seeds, fruits, and spores for sowing (other) (HS 120999) totaled $1.9M in August 2026.
Importers of Seeds, Fruits, and Spores for Sowing (Other) paid $8K in duties in August 2026, an effective tariff rate of 1.41% of the $588K imported — duty actually collected as a share of that value, not the published tariff schedule. Seeds, Fruits, and Spores for Sowing (Other) imports of $588K in August 2026 ran 39% below the year-to-date monthly average of $957K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataHeading 120999 captures sowing propagules that do not fit the more specific forage, grass, flower, or vegetable seed headings — including tree and shrub seeds (1209992000), tobacco seeds (1209994070 and 1209994170), and a broad NESOI category. The Netherlands leads US imports under this heading, consistent with its global role in specialty seed trade, while Chile and Brazil reflect South America's importance as a seed multiplication region. Tree and shrub seeds often require USDA APHIS import permits in addition to phytosanitary certificates, particularly for species regulated under CITES or those with known pest-host associations. Tobacco seed imports carry additional regulatory complexity given TTB and state-level tobacco program considerations.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
29 shipments/mo
Many tree and shrub seeds do require an APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine import permit, particularly for species that are known hosts of regulated pests, originate from countries with quarantine pest concerns, or are listed under CITES appendices. The permit requirement is species- and origin-specific, so importers should consult the APHIS Lacey Act and PPQ permit databases before sourcing. A phytosanitary certificate alone is not always sufficient for admissibility. Consult a licensed customs broker or APHIS for current requirements.
The US schedule contains two tobacco seed lines — 1209994070 and 1209994170 — that reflect different duty treatment rather than a product distinction; both cover tobacco seeds of a kind used for sowing. The applicable line depends on the specific tariff schedule note or staging category that governs the entry. Importers should verify the correct line with a licensed customs broker, as misclassification between these lines can affect duty liability.
HSChapter 12
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 120999 — Seeds, Fruits, and Spores for Sowing (Other), so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
Subheading 6 of 10 in heading 1209
Subheading 120999 · $1.9M of $51.5M
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 | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1209994190 | Seeds, Fruits and Spores Used for Sowing, NESOI | $369K | 1.40% | 67.77% | $5K |
| 1209992000 | Tree and Shrub Seeds, Fruits & Spores for Sowing | $219K | 1.43% | 73.11% | $3K |
| 1209994170 | Tobacco Seeds of A Kind Used for Sowing | — | -- | -- | -- |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1209994090 | Seeds, Fruits and Spores Used for Sowing, NESOI | $1.7M |
| 1209992000 | Tree and Shrub Seeds, Fruits & Spores for Sowing | $202K |
| 1209994070 | Tobacco Seeds of A Kind Used for Sowing | $13K |
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
$588KYoY · free account
Exports
$1.9MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
YoY · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $13.8M of Seeds, Fruits, and Spores for Sowing (Other).
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Japan and Colombia together take 71% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
30.2% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 1.41% of total import value.