HS Code 12.10 – Hop cones, fresh or dried, whether or not ground, powdered or in the form of pellets; lupulin

HS code 1210 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Hop cones, fresh or dried, whether or not ground, powdered or in the form of pellets; lupulin. Heading 1210 is dedicated to hop cones, whether fresh or dried, and in various processed forms like ground, powdered, or pellets, along with lupulin. This classification is primarily significant for the global brewing industry, as hops are a fundamental ingredient providing bitterness, aroma, and preservative qualities to beer. The scope includes the raw, unprocessed hop cones as well as the initial stages of processing that prepare them for brewing, such as drying, milling into powder, or compression into pellets for ease of storage, transport, and use. Lupulin, the resinous glands within hop cones that contain the essential oils and alpha acids, is also specifically included, whether extracted or still within the cone. This heading is distinct within Chapter 12, which generally covers oil seeds and various plants, by focusing on a specific plant product with a specialized industrial application. Proper classification is essential for breweries, hop farms, and intermediaries to ensure compliance with customs duties, quality standards, and any specific regulations related to agricultural products, given its direct impact on the beverage industry supply chain. The historical importance of hops in brewing has fostered a specialized global trade network.

Fresh hop cones, dried whole hop cones, T-90 hop pellets, T-45 hop pellets, hop powder, pulverized hops, hop extract (raw form, not refined), lupulin glands, separated lupulin, vacuum-packed hop pellets, cryogenic hop pellets, aroma hop cones (dried), bittering hop cones (dried), dual-purpose hop pellets, hop leaves (with cones attached), hop bines (with cones, fresh), hop hash (unprocessed), hop concentrate (unrefined), organic hop cones, conventional hop pellets, specific hop varieties (e.g., Cascade, Hallertau, Saaz) in cone or pellet form, hop oil (crude, not refined).

A common misclassification for hop products involves confusing the raw or semi-processed forms under 1210 with more refined extracts or preparations. While 1210 covers hop cones and lupulin, crude or unrefined hop extracts, more processed hop extracts (e.g., CO2 extracts, isomerized hop extracts) that are no longer simply ground or pelleted forms of the cone, typically fall under Chapter 13 (e.g., 1302 for vegetable saps and extracts) or even Chapter 29 or 38 if chemically defined or prepared. Another error could be classifying other plant materials that might resemble hops but lack their specific use in brewing, potentially leading to classification under 1211 (plants for perfumery/pharmacy) if mistaken for such. The key is the specific identity as 'hop cones' or 'lupulin' and their stage of processing – basic physical transformation, not chemical extraction or refinement.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 1210 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($292M, 37% of world exports), the United States ($264M) and Czechia ($87M). World exports came to about $788M, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 1210 in UN Comtrade data were China ($78M, 10% of world imports), Germany ($76M) and the United Kingdom ($68M). World imports came to about $774M, 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.

HS code 1210 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 12 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (12) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (10) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.