About HS Code 120400
Linseed, also known as flaxseed, is a significant agricultural commodity traded globally, primarily for its oil and nutritional benefits. Major exporters include Canada, Russia, and Kazakhstan, while key importers are often countries with developed food processing industries, such as Belgium, Germany, and the United States, where it's used in health foods, animal feed, and industrial applications like paints and linoleum. The trade in linseed is influenced by global demand for healthy oils, animal feed ingredients, and renewable industrial raw materials. Price fluctuations are common due to weather conditions affecting harvests, geopolitical factors, and shifts in dietary trends. Buyers often look for specific quality parameters, including oil content, purity, and absence of contaminants, making quality control a critical aspect of international transactions. The versatility of linseed ensures its consistent presence in global agricultural trade, supporting various sectors from food to manufacturing.
Products Under This Code
Whole flaxseed, Ground flaxseed, Linseed oil seeds, Flaxseed meal (as byproduct), Flaxseed flour (as byproduct), Roasted flaxseed, Organic flaxseed
Real World Examples
Bob's Red Mill Organic Flaxseed Meal, Spectrum Essentials Organic Ground Flaxseed, Barlean's Organic Lignan Flax Oil (derived from seeds), Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Organic Flaxseed, Nature's Way Flaxseed Oil (derived from seeds)
Common Misclassification
This code might be confused with 120810 (Flours, meals and pellets of oil seeds or oleaginous fruits, of linseed) if the seeds are processed into flour or meal, or with 151511 (Linseed oil, crude) if the oil has already been extracted.
Products Classified Under 1204.00
Industry
This code belongs to the Agriculture & Live Animals industry.
Trade Overview
Canada, Russia, and Kazakhstan are top exporters, while Belgium, Germany, and the United States are major importers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 120400?
HS code 120400 covers: Oil seeds; linseed, whether or not broken. Linseed, also known as flaxseed, is a significant agricultural commodity traded globally, primarily for its oil and nutritional benefits. Major exporters include Canada, Russia, and Kazakhstan, while key importers are often countries with developed food processing industries, such as Belgium, Germany, and the United States, where it's used in health foods, animal feed, and industrial applications like paints and linoleum. The trade in linseed is influenced by global demand for healthy oils, animal feed ingredients, and renewable industrial raw materials. Price fluctuations are common due to weather conditions affecting harvests, geopolitical factors, and shifts in dietary trends. Buyers often look for specific quality parameters, including oil content, purity, and absence of contaminants, making quality control a critical aspect of international transactions. The versatility of linseed ensures its consistent presence in global agricultural trade, supporting various sectors from food to manufacturing.
What products fall under HS code 120400?
Whole flaxseed, Ground flaxseed, Linseed oil seeds, Flaxseed meal (as byproduct), Flaxseed flour (as byproduct), Roasted flaxseed, Organic flaxseed
What are common misclassifications for HS code 120400?
This code might be confused with 120810 (Flours, meals and pellets of oil seeds or oleaginous fruits, of linseed) if the seeds are processed into flour or meal, or with 151511 (Linseed oil, crude) if the oil has already been extracted.
How is HS code 120400 structured?
HS code 120400 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (12) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.