HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1210.20 – Hop cones; ground, powdered or in the form of pellets; lupulin
HS code 1210.20 is the 6-digit subheading for hop cones, ground, powdered or in the form of pellets, lupulin. It is used for hop pellets, ground hops, hop powder, lupulin powder and T-90 hop pellets.
What HS 1210.20 covers
This category encompasses processed hop products, including ground hops, hop powder, hop pellets, and lupulin, which is the concentrated resinous gland containing the bittering and aromatic compounds. These processed forms offer significant advantages in brewing, such as easier storage, more efficient utilization of hop compounds, and consistent dosing, making them highly favored by modern breweries. International trade is robust, driven by the global brewing industry's demand for standardized and convenient hop products that streamline the brewing process. Exporters are typically countries with advanced hop processing facilities and significant hop cultivation, such as the United States and Germany, which invest heavily in technology. Importers are breweries of all sizes worldwide. Key trade considerations include alpha acid content, aroma profile, pellet density, and packaging to maintain freshness and prevent oxidation, which are crucial for brewers seeking consistent beer quality.
- Covers
- Hop pellets
- Ground hops
- Hop powder
- Lupulin powder
- T-90 hop pellets
- Cryo Hops
- Hop extract (in powdered form)
- Isomerized hop pellets
- Examples
- Yakima Chief Hops (pellets, Cryo Hops)
- BarthHaas (pellets, extracts)
- BSG CraftBrewing (pellets)
- Hopsteiner (pellets)
Codes often confused with 1210.20
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 121010, which is for whole, unprocessed hop cones; the distinction lies in whether the hops have undergone grinding, powdering, or pelletizing.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 121020, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 121020 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 39% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, 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 Germany $289M 39% of world exports
- 2 United States $253M 34% of world exports
- 3 Czechia $75M 10% of world exports
World total: $739M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $78M 11% of world imports
- 2 Japan $59M 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $59M 8.3% of world imports
World total: $708M 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 1210.20 2
Brazil splits HS 1210.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 12.10 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1210.20
What is HS code 121020?
HS code 121020 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Hop cones; ground, powdered or in the form of pellets; lupulin. This category encompasses processed hop products, including ground hops, hop powder, hop pellets, and lupulin, which is the concentrated resinous gland containing the bittering and aromatic compounds. These processed forms offer significant advantages in brewing, such as easier storage, more efficient utilization of hop compounds, and consistent dosing, making them highly favored by modern breweries. International trade is robust, driven by the global brewing industry's demand for standardized and convenient hop products that streamline the brewing process. Exporters are typically countries with advanced hop processing facilities and significant hop cultivation, such as the United States and Germany, which invest heavily in technology. Importers are breweries of all sizes worldwide. Key trade considerations include alpha acid content, aroma profile, pellet density, and packaging to maintain freshness and prevent oxidation, which are crucial for brewers seeking consistent beer quality.
What products fall under HS code 121020?
Hop pellets, Ground hops, Hop powder, Lupulin powder, T-90 hop pellets, Cryo Hops, Hop extract (in powdered form), Isomerized hop pellets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 121020?
This code is often confused with 121010, which is for whole, unprocessed hop cones; the distinction lies in whether the hops have undergone grinding, powdering, or pelletizing.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 121020?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 121020 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($289M, 39% of world exports), the United States ($253M) and Czechia ($75M). World exports came to about $739M, 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 121020?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 121020 in UN Comtrade data were China ($78M, 11% of world imports), Japan ($59M) and Belgium ($59M). World imports came to about $708M, 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 121020 structured?
HS code 121020 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (12) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (10) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 121020?
Brazil splits HS code 121020 into 2 NCM codes: 1210.20.10 (Hop cones, ground, powdered or pelletised), 1210.20.20 (Lupulin). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.