HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1207.29 – Oil seeds; cotton seeds, other than seed, whether or not broken
HS code 1207.29 is the 6-digit subheading for oil seeds, cotton seeds, other than seed, whether or not broken. It is used for cottonseed for oil, cottonseed for feed, whole cottonseed, delinted cottonseed (for feed/oil) and cottonseed meal (as a processed form).
What HS 1207.29 covers
This HS code covers cotton seeds that are not intended for planting, meaning they are primarily used for oil extraction or as animal feed. After the cotton fiber is ginned, the remaining seeds are a valuable byproduct. Cottonseed oil is used in cooking and food processing, while cottonseed meal is a protein-rich supplement for livestock. Major producers and exporters include countries with large cotton industries, such as India, China, the United States, and Brazil. Importers are often nations with significant food processing or animal husbandry sectors. The trade is influenced by global demand for edible oils, animal feed prices, and the overall health of the cotton industry. The EUDR note highlights the increasing focus on the environmental footprint of agricultural commodities, requiring traceability and proof of deforestation-free sourcing even for byproducts like these seeds.
- Covers
- Cottonseed for oil
- Cottonseed for feed
- Whole cottonseed
- Delinted cottonseed (for feed/oil)
- Cottonseed meal (as a processed form)
- Cottonseed hulls (as byproduct)
- Raw cottonseed
- Examples
- Cargill Cottonseed
- Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Cottonseed
- Bunge Cottonseed
- Louis Dreyfus Company Cottonseed
- various regional cotton gins supplying processors.
Codes often confused with 1207.29
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 120721 (Cotton seeds, seed, for planting) due to its end-use, and from 151221 (Crude cottonseed oil) if the oil has already been extracted.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 120729, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 120729 in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 35% 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 Australia $161M 46% of world exports
- 2 United States $79M 22% of world exports
- 3 Greece $72M 20% of world exports
World total: $351M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $137M 35% of world imports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $49M 12% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $43M 11% of world imports
World total: $396M 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 code for 1207.29
Brazil does not split HS 1207.29: its NCM code is 1207.29.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 12.07 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about HS 1207.29
What is HS code 120729?
HS code 120729 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Oil seeds; cotton seeds, other than seed, whether or not broken. This HS code covers cotton seeds that are not intended for planting, meaning they are primarily used for oil extraction or as animal feed. After the cotton fiber is ginned, the remaining seeds are a valuable byproduct. Cottonseed oil is used in cooking and food processing, while cottonseed meal is a protein-rich supplement for livestock. Major producers and exporters include countries with large cotton industries, such as India, China, the United States, and Brazil. Importers are often nations with significant food processing or animal husbandry sectors. The trade is influenced by global demand for edible oils, animal feed prices, and the overall health of the cotton industry. The EUDR note highlights the increasing focus on the environmental footprint of agricultural commodities, requiring traceability and proof of deforestation-free sourcing even for byproducts like these seeds.
What products fall under HS code 120729?
Cottonseed for oil, Cottonseed for feed, Whole cottonseed, Delinted cottonseed (for feed/oil), Cottonseed meal (as a processed form), Cottonseed hulls (as byproduct), Raw cottonseed
What are common misclassifications for HS code 120729?
This code is distinct from 120721 (Cotton seeds, seed, for planting) due to its end-use, and from 151221 (Crude cottonseed oil) if the oil has already been extracted.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 120729?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 120729 in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($161M, 46% of world exports), the United States ($79M) and Greece ($72M). World exports came to about $351M, 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 120729?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 120729 in UN Comtrade data were China ($137M, 35% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($49M) and South Korea ($43M). World imports came to about $396M, 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 120729 structured?
HS code 120729 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (12) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (07) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (29) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 120729?
In Brazil, HS code 120729 is NCM 1207.29.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.