HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1206.00 – Oil seeds; sunflower seeds, whether or not broken
HS code 1206.00 is the 6-digit subheading for oil seeds, sunflower seeds, whether or not broken. It is used for whole sunflower seeds, shelled sunflower seeds, black oil sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds and sunflower kernels.
What HS 1206.00 covers
Sunflower seeds, whether in their shell or shelled, are a globally traded commodity under this HS code, valued for their oil, snack food potential, and animal feed applications. The trade involves both confectionery-type seeds (for direct consumption) and oil-type seeds (for oil extraction). Major exporters include Ukraine, Russia, Argentina, and the European Union, while significant importers are often countries with large snack food industries or high demand for edible oils, such as Turkey, China, and various European nations. The market is highly sensitive to harvest yields, global edible oil prices, and consumer trends towards healthy snacking. Buyers look for specific characteristics like seed size, oil content, and purity, depending on the end-use. Geopolitical factors and weather conditions in key producing regions can significantly impact global supply and prices, making it a dynamic sector in agricultural trade.
- Covers
- Whole sunflower seeds
- Shelled sunflower seeds
- Black oil sunflower seeds
- Striped sunflower seeds
- Sunflower kernels
- Roasted sunflower seeds
- Organic sunflower seeds
- Birdseed sunflower seeds
- Examples
- David Seeds Roasted & Salted Sunflower Seeds
- Spitz Sunflower Seeds
- Frito-Lay Sunflower Seeds
- SunOpta Sunflower Kernels
- Viterra Sunflower Seeds
Codes often confused with 1206.00
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 120799 (Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, n.e.s.) if not clearly identified as sunflower, or with 151211 (Crude sunflower-seed or safflower oil) if the oil has already been extracted.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 120600, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 120600 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 17% 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 China $937M 18% of world exports
- 2 Romania $930M 17% of world exports
- 3 Bulgaria $758M 14% of world exports
World total: $5.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Türkiye $886M 17% of world imports
- 2 Romania $322M 6.0% of world imports
- 3 Bulgaria $321M 6.0% of world imports
World total: $5.3B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 1206.00 2
Brazil splits HS 1206.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 1206.00.10 Sunflower seeds for sowingPara semeadura (sementeira)
- 1206.00.90 Sunflower seeds, not for sowingOutras
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 12.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1206.00
What is HS code 120600?
HS code 120600 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Oil seeds; sunflower seeds, whether or not broken. Sunflower seeds, whether in their shell or shelled, are a globally traded commodity under this HS code, valued for their oil, snack food potential, and animal feed applications. The trade involves both confectionery-type seeds (for direct consumption) and oil-type seeds (for oil extraction). Major exporters include Ukraine, Russia, Argentina, and the European Union, while significant importers are often countries with large snack food industries or high demand for edible oils, such as Turkey, China, and various European nations. The market is highly sensitive to harvest yields, global edible oil prices, and consumer trends towards healthy snacking. Buyers look for specific characteristics like seed size, oil content, and purity, depending on the end-use. Geopolitical factors and weather conditions in key producing regions can significantly impact global supply and prices, making it a dynamic sector in agricultural trade.
What products fall under HS code 120600?
Whole sunflower seeds, Shelled sunflower seeds, Black oil sunflower seeds, Striped sunflower seeds, Sunflower kernels, Roasted sunflower seeds, Organic sunflower seeds, Birdseed sunflower seeds
What are common misclassifications for HS code 120600?
This code can be confused with 120799 (Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, n.e.s.) if not clearly identified as sunflower, or with 151211 (Crude sunflower-seed or safflower oil) if the oil has already been extracted.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 120600?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 120600 in UN Comtrade data were China ($937M, 18% of world exports), Romania ($930M) and Bulgaria ($758M). World exports came to about $5.3B, 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 120600?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 120600 in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($886M, 17% of world imports), Romania ($322M) and Bulgaria ($321M). World imports came to about $5.3B, 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 120600 structured?
HS code 120600 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (12) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 120600?
Brazil splits HS code 120600 into 2 NCM codes: 1206.00.10 (Sunflower seeds for sowing), 1206.00.90 (Sunflower seeds, not for sowing). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.