HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1211.60 – Bark of African cherry (Prunus africana); of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered
HS code 1211.60 is the 6-digit subheading for bark of African cherry (Prunus africana), of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered. It is used for dried Prunus africana bark, powdered African cherry bark, pygeum bark, prunus africana extract (raw material) and shredded Prunus africana bark..
What HS 1211.60 covers
This HS code specifically covers the bark of the African cherry tree (Prunus africana), a highly valued botanical raw material in international trade. Its primary use is in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries for the extraction of compounds, particularly phytosterols, which are formulated into supplements for prostate health (often marketed as 'Pygeum' extract). The demand for this bark is substantial, leading to concerns about overharvesting and sustainability. Consequently, Prunus africana is listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning its international trade is regulated to prevent overexploitation. Importers are typically pharmaceutical companies and supplement manufacturers in developed countries, while exporters are primarily African nations where the tree is indigenous. Key aspects of trade include CITES permits, sustainable sourcing practices, and quality control for active ingredient content.
- Covers
- Dried Prunus africana bark
- Powdered African cherry bark
- Pygeum bark
- Prunus africana extract (raw material)
- Shredded Prunus africana bark.
- Examples
- Indena S.p.A. (botanical extracts)
- Naturex (natural ingredients)
- Euromed S.A. (standardized extracts)
- various traditional African medicine suppliers.
Codes often confused with 1211.60
Common mistake. Can be mistaken for 121190 (other medicinal plants) if not specifically identified as Prunus africana bark, or 140490 (other vegetable products) if its primary use isn't clearly medicinal.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 121160, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 121160 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 45% 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 $744K 44% of world exports
- 2 Luxembourg $383K 23% of world exports
- 3 Italy $220K 13% of world exports
World total: $1.7M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Belgium $1.7M 45% of world imports
- 2 Luxembourg $1.2M 32% of world imports
- 3 Germany $332K 8.9% of world imports
World total: $3.7M 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 1211.60
Brazil does not split HS 1211.60: its NCM code is 1211.60.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 12.11 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1211.60
What is HS code 121160?
HS code 121160 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Bark of African cherry (Prunus africana); of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered. This HS code specifically covers the bark of the African cherry tree (Prunus africana), a highly valued botanical raw material in international trade. Its primary use is in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries for the extraction of compounds, particularly phytosterols, which are formulated into supplements for prostate health (often marketed as 'Pygeum' extract). The demand for this bark is substantial, leading to concerns about overharvesting and sustainability. Consequently, Prunus africana is listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning its international trade is regulated to prevent overexploitation. Importers are typically pharmaceutical companies and supplement manufacturers in developed countries, while exporters are primarily African nations where the tree is indigenous. Key aspects of trade include CITES permits, sustainable sourcing practices, and quality control for active ingredient content.
What products fall under HS code 121160?
Dried Prunus africana bark, powdered African cherry bark, Pygeum bark, Prunus africana extract (raw material), shredded Prunus africana bark.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 121160?
Can be mistaken for 121190 (other medicinal plants) if not specifically identified as Prunus africana bark, or 140490 (other vegetable products) if its primary use isn't clearly medicinal.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 121160?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 121160 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($744K, 44% of world exports), Luxembourg ($383K) and Italy ($220K). World exports came to about $1.7M, 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 121160?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 121160 in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($1.7M, 45% of world imports), Luxembourg ($1.2M) and Germany ($332K). World imports came to about $3.7M, 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 121160 structured?
HS code 121160 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (12) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (11) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (60) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 121160?
In Brazil, HS code 121160 is NCM 1211.60.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.