USDA APHIS requires that imported hay and forage crops meet federal noxious weed seed tolerances and may require a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country. Some states impose additional weed-seed restrictions beyond federal minimums, so importers should check both federal APHIS requirements and the destination state's agricultural department rules before shipment.

Alfalfa hay is commercially graded by relative feed value (RFV) or relative forage quality (RFQ), which reflect crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber content. Higher-cut hay (e.g., third or fourth cutting) typically carries higher RFV and commands a price premium. While these are commercial — not HTS — distinctions, they appear in purchase contracts and certificates of analysis that customs brokers may reference when determining classification.