Standard International Trade Classification
U.S. imports of Seeds of Herbaceous Plants Grown for Flowers (SITC 29253) totaled $6.6M in August 2026, imported from 44 countries.
Importers of Seeds of Herbaceous Plants Grown for Flowers paid $170K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 2.59% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataFlower seeds — covering annuals and perennials such as petunias, marigolds, impatiens, and similar ornamental species — are a commercially significant input for the horticulture and nursery industry, with seed quality measured by germination rate, variety trueness, and disease freedom. USDA APHIS phytosanitary oversight applies at entry, and the Federal Seed Act requires labeling of germination percentage, purity, and origin for all imported seed sold in commerce. Seed health testing for fungal and bacterial pathogens is increasingly standard practice, as contaminated seed lots can introduce diseases into domestic production systems. Importers should confirm that variety names on shipping documents match registered or accepted cultivar names to avoid labeling disputes.
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343 import shipments a month
While the Federal Seed Act focuses on germination and purity labeling, industry practice and some state regulations call for pathogen testing — particularly for bacterial and fungal diseases that can be seed-borne. Importers sourcing from regions with known disease pressure often request ISTA-accredited seed health certificates or independent laboratory test reports to reduce the risk of introducing pathogens into domestic greenhouse or nursery operations.
Many commercial flower seed varieties are protected under the US Plant Variety Protection Act or by utility patents. Importing and reselling protected varieties without authorization from the breeder can constitute infringement. Importers should verify the intellectual property status of any variety they source internationally and obtain appropriate licensing agreements before bringing protected seed into US commerce.
Basic heading 82 of 239 in section 2
Basic heading 29253 · $6.6M of $3.8B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$6.6MYoY · free account
Exports
$5.9MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $68.7M of Seeds of Herbaceous Plants Grown for Flowers and exported $74.8M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.