HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1008.21 – Cereals; millet, seed
HS code 1008.21 is the 6-digit subheading for cereals, millet, seed. It is used for pearl millet seeds, foxtail millet seeds, proso millet seeds, finger millet seeds and barnyard millet seeds.
What HS 1008.21 covers
This HS code covers millet specifically intended for use as seed, playing a crucial role in agricultural supply chains worldwide. It encompasses various millet species, such as pearl millet, foxtail millet, and proso millet, which are traded for planting purposes rather than direct consumption. Importers typically include agricultural cooperatives, seed distributors, and government agencies focused on food security and crop diversification in arid and semi-arid regions. Exporters are often large agricultural producers or specialized seed companies from countries with suitable climates for millet cultivation. Key considerations in this trade involve ensuring genetic purity, high germination rates, disease resistance, and adherence to phytosanitary regulations to prevent the spread of pests and diseases across borders. The demand for millet seeds is influenced by climate change adaptation strategies and the growing interest in drought-resistant crops.
- Covers
- Pearl millet seeds
- Foxtail millet seeds
- Proso millet seeds
- Finger millet seeds
- Barnyard millet seeds
- Kodo millet seeds
- Little millet seeds
- Examples
- Advanta Seeds (pearl millet varieties)
- Syngenta (various seed types)
- Pioneer (millet hybrids)
- local agricultural co-ops
Codes often confused with 1008.21
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 100829 (millet, other than seed) if the intended use for planting is not clearly specified, or 120799 (other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits) if mistakenly categorized as an oilseed.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 100821, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 100821 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Arab Emirates, with about 14% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $11M 34% of world exports
- 2 United States $11M 31% of world exports
- 3 Ethiopia* ~$2.7M 8.0% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $34M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United Arab Emirates* ~$3.3M 14% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 United States $3.2M 14% of world imports
- 3 Israel $2.6M 11% of world imports
World total: $23M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM codes for 1008.21 2
Brazil splits HS 1008.21 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 1008.21.10 Pearl millet seed for sowingMilheto (Pennisetum glaucum)
- 1008.21.90 Other millet seed for sowingOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 10.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1008.21
What is HS code 100821?
HS code 100821 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cereals; millet, seed. This HS code covers millet specifically intended for use as seed, playing a crucial role in agricultural supply chains worldwide. It encompasses various millet species, such as pearl millet, foxtail millet, and proso millet, which are traded for planting purposes rather than direct consumption. Importers typically include agricultural cooperatives, seed distributors, and government agencies focused on food security and crop diversification in arid and semi-arid regions. Exporters are often large agricultural producers or specialized seed companies from countries with suitable climates for millet cultivation. Key considerations in this trade involve ensuring genetic purity, high germination rates, disease resistance, and adherence to phytosanitary regulations to prevent the spread of pests and diseases across borders. The demand for millet seeds is influenced by climate change adaptation strategies and the growing interest in drought-resistant crops.
What products fall under HS code 100821?
Pearl millet seeds, Foxtail millet seeds, Proso millet seeds, Finger millet seeds, Barnyard millet seeds, Kodo millet seeds, Little millet seeds
What are common misclassifications for HS code 100821?
This code is often confused with 100829 (millet, other than seed) if the intended use for planting is not clearly specified, or 120799 (other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits) if mistakenly categorized as an oilseed.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 100821?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 100821 in UN Comtrade data were India ($11M, 34% of world exports), the United States ($11M) and Ethiopia (about $2.7M). World exports came to about $34M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 100821?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 100821 in UN Comtrade data were the United Arab Emirates (about $3.3M, 14% of world imports), the United States ($3.2M) and Israel ($2.6M). World imports came to about $23M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 100821 structured?
HS code 100821 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (10) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 100821?
Brazil splits HS code 100821 into 2 NCM codes: 1008.21.10 (Pearl millet seed for sowing), 1008.21.90 (Other millet seed for sowing). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.