HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1209.91 – Seeds; vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowing
HS code 1209.91 is the 6-digit subheading for seeds, vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowing. It is used for tomato seeds, lettuce seeds, carrot seeds, onion seeds and pepper seeds.
What HS 1209.91 covers
Vegetable seeds are a cornerstone of global agriculture and food security, traded extensively to support commercial farming, home gardening, and food production worldwide. This category includes seeds for a vast array of edible plants, from leafy greens and root vegetables to various fruits. International trade is driven by the continuous need for diverse crop varieties, adaptation to different climates, and ongoing improvements in yield, disease resistance, and nutritional content. Major exporters often possess advanced agricultural research, sophisticated seed breeding technologies, and large-scale production capabilities, such as the Netherlands, the United States, and China. Importers include virtually every country, seeking to bolster their food supply, enhance agricultural output, and diversify their crop portfolios. Seed quality, germination rates, varietal purity, and phytosanitary certifications are paramount in this highly regulated and essential market.
- Covers
- Tomato seeds
- Lettuce seeds
- Carrot seeds
- Onion seeds
- Pepper seeds
- Cucumber seeds
- Bean seeds
- Sweet corn seeds
- Examples
- Syngenta Tomato Seeds
- Sakata Lettuce Seeds
- Bejo Zaden Carrot Seeds
- Johnny's Selected Seeds Pepper
- Monsanto Vegetable Seeds
Codes often confused with 1209.91
Common mistake. Sometimes confused with seeds of leguminous vegetables (0713) if not clearly identified as 'for sowing,' or with seeds of herbaceous plants for flowers (120930) if the plant has both edible and ornamental uses.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 120991, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 120991 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 11% 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 Netherlands $2.7B 42% of world exports
- 2 France $662M 10% of world exports
- 3 United States $650M 10% of world exports
World total: $6.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $686M 11% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $521M 8.6% of world imports
- 3 United States $374M 6.1% of world imports
World total: $6.1B 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 1209.91
Brazil does not split HS 1209.91: its NCM code is 1209.91.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 12.09 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1209.91
What is HS code 120991?
HS code 120991 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Seeds; vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowing. Vegetable seeds are a cornerstone of global agriculture and food security, traded extensively to support commercial farming, home gardening, and food production worldwide. This category includes seeds for a vast array of edible plants, from leafy greens and root vegetables to various fruits. International trade is driven by the continuous need for diverse crop varieties, adaptation to different climates, and ongoing improvements in yield, disease resistance, and nutritional content. Major exporters often possess advanced agricultural research, sophisticated seed breeding technologies, and large-scale production capabilities, such as the Netherlands, the United States, and China. Importers include virtually every country, seeking to bolster their food supply, enhance agricultural output, and diversify their crop portfolios. Seed quality, germination rates, varietal purity, and phytosanitary certifications are paramount in this highly regulated and essential market.
What products fall under HS code 120991?
Tomato seeds, Lettuce seeds, Carrot seeds, Onion seeds, Pepper seeds, Cucumber seeds, Bean seeds, Sweet corn seeds
What are common misclassifications for HS code 120991?
Sometimes confused with seeds of leguminous vegetables (0713) if not clearly identified as 'for sowing,' or with seeds of herbaceous plants for flowers (120930) if the plant has both edible and ornamental uses.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 120991?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 120991 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($2.7B, 42% of world exports), France ($662M) and the United States ($650M). World exports came to about $6.4B, 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 120991?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 120991 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($686M, 11% of world imports), Mexico ($521M) and the United States ($374M). World imports came to about $6.1B, 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 120991 structured?
HS code 120991 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (12) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 120991?
In Brazil, HS code 120991 is NCM 1209.91.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.