Standard International Trade Classification
U.S. exports of Seeds of Forage Plants (Other Than Beet Seed) (SITC 29252) totaled $17.8M in August 2026.
Importers of Seeds of Forage Plants (Other Than Beet Seed) paid $79K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.67% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataAlfalfa, clover, ryegrass, fescue, and other forage crop seeds are critical inputs for livestock and dairy operations, and their import trade is shaped by agronomic performance specifications such as germination rate, purity, and variety certification. USDA APHIS phytosanitary requirements apply to all imported seed lots, and the Federal Seed Act mandates accurate labeling of germination percentage, weed seed content, and country of origin. Noxious weed seed contamination is a primary enforcement concern — shipments found to contain prohibited weed seeds can be refused entry or require cleaning before release. Variety certification standards vary by species and destination state, so importers should confirm compliance with both federal and state seed laws before contracting.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
447 import shipments a month
The Federal Seed Act prohibits the importation of seed lots containing noxious weed seeds above established tolerance levels. USDA APHIS inspectors test incoming shipments, and lots exceeding tolerance thresholds may be refused entry, required to undergo cleaning and re-testing, or destroyed. Importers should request certified seed analysis reports from suppliers before shipment to identify contamination risk early.
Yes. Individual states maintain their own lists of prohibited or restricted noxious weeds and may require variety registration or certification for certain forage species sold within their borders. A shipment that clears federal entry requirements may still face restrictions in specific destination states, so importers distributing across multiple states should review each state's seed law before finalizing sourcing.
Basic heading 52 of 239 in section 2
Basic heading 29252 · $17.8M of $7.8B
Trade Directory
List your company and tag the 6-digit products you trade, so the companies trading them can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
origin
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$11.8MYoY · free account
Exports
$17.8MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $118.4M of Seeds of Forage Plants (Other Than Beet Seed) and exported $331.0M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.