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HSChapter 12
U.S. imports of seeds, fruits, and spores for sowing (other) (HS 120999) totaled $346K in April 2026, traded with 39 countries.
Importers of Seeds, Fruits, and Spores for Sowing (Other) paid $37K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 12% on $312K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Seeds, Fruits, and Spores for Sowing (Other) imports of $346K in April 2026 ran 63% below the year-to-date monthly average of $942K.
Last updated: April 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.
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.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXICO | $3K | $647K | +$644K |
| ZAMBIA | -- | $172K | +$172K |
| COLOMBIA | -- | $148K | +$148K |
| NETHERLANDS | $102K | $43K | -$59K |
| CANADA | $10K | $65K | +$56K |
Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1209994190 | SEEDS, FRUITS AND SPORES USED FOR SOWING, NESOI | $234K | 10.67% | $22K |
| 1209992000 | TREE AND SHRUB SEEDS, FRUITS & SPORES FOR SOWING | $113K | 14.43% | $15K |
| 1209994170 | TOBACCO SEEDS OF A KIND USED FOR SOWING | $0 | -- | -- |
SEEDS, FRUITS AND SPORES USED FOR SOWING, NESOI
TREE AND SHRUB SEEDS, FRUITS & SPORES FOR SOWING
TOBACCO SEEDS OF A KIND USED FOR SOWING
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1209994090 | SEEDS, FRUITS AND SPORES USED FOR SOWING, NESOI | $834K |
| 1209992000 | TREE AND SHRUB SEEDS, FRUITS & SPORES FOR SOWING | $435K |
| 1209994070 | TOBACCO SEEDS OF A KIND USED FOR SOWING | $172K |
SEEDS, FRUITS AND SPORES USED FOR SOWING, NESOI
72.2K kg
TREE AND SHRUB SEEDS, FRUITS & SPORES FOR SOWING
5.8K kg
TOBACCO SEEDS OF A KIND USED FOR SOWING
404 kg
PLANTS & PARTS ETC FOR MEDICAMENTS ETC NESOI
HS 121190
VEGETABLE SEEDS FOR SOWING
HS 120991
SOYBEANS, NESOI
HS 120190
LOW ERUCIC ACID RAPE/COLZA SEEDS W/NOT BROKEN
HS 120510
OIL SEEDS & OLEAGINOUS FRUITS W/NT BROKEN, NESOI
HS 120799
SUNFLOWER SEEDS, WHETHER OR NOT BROKEN
HS 120600
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $108K | $385K | +$277K |
| California | $100K | $194K | +$94K |
| Washington | -- | $294K | +$294K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FL | $160K | $370K | +$209K |
| NOGALES, AZ | -- | $352K | +$352K |
| CLEVELAND, OH | $17K | $186K | +$170K |