HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1212.92 – Locust beans (carob); fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground
HS code 1212.92 is the 6-digit subheading for locust beans (carob), fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground. It is used for dried carob pods, carob powder, carob chips, carob seeds and locust bean gum (raw material).
What HS 1212.92 covers
This HS code covers locust beans, also known as carob, that are fit for human consumption, whether fresh, chilled, frozen, or dried. Carob pods are widely used as a natural sweetener and a caffeine-free, chocolate substitute in various food products, including snacks, beverages, and desserts. The seeds within the pods are a source of locust bean gum (LBG), a valuable hydrocolloid used as a thickener and stabilizer in the food industry. Importers include food manufacturers, health food companies, and ingredient suppliers. Exporters are typically Mediterranean countries where carob trees thrive. Key trade considerations involve the quality of the pods (e.g., sugar content, absence of pests), proper drying and storage to prevent spoilage, and the purity of extracted products like carob powder or LBG.
- Covers
- Dried carob pods
- Carob powder
- Carob chips
- Carob seeds
- Locust bean gum (raw material)
- Carob syrup
- Roasted carob.
- Examples
- Bob's Red Mill (carob powder)
- NOW Foods (carob powder)
- TIC Gums (locust bean gum)
- Mediterranean Organic (carob products)
- CarobWay.
Codes often confused with 1212.92
Common mistake. Could be confused with 121299 (other sugar-containing plants) if not specifically carob, or 0802 (other nuts) if seeds are mistaken for nuts.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 121292, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 121292 in UN Comtrade data was Morocco, with 54% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 20% 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 Morocco $29M 54% of world exports
- 2 Spain $5.9M 11% of world exports
- 3 Italy $4.2M 7.8% of world exports
World total: $54M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $8.3M 20% of world imports
- 2 Switzerland $6.2M 15% of world imports
- 3 Italy $3.5M 8.6% of world imports
World total: $41M 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 1212.92
Brazil does not split HS 1212.92: its NCM code is 1212.92.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 12.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1212.92
What is HS code 121292?
HS code 121292 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Locust beans (carob); fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground. This HS code covers locust beans, also known as carob, that are fit for human consumption, whether fresh, chilled, frozen, or dried. Carob pods are widely used as a natural sweetener and a caffeine-free, chocolate substitute in various food products, including snacks, beverages, and desserts. The seeds within the pods are a source of locust bean gum (LBG), a valuable hydrocolloid used as a thickener and stabilizer in the food industry. Importers include food manufacturers, health food companies, and ingredient suppliers. Exporters are typically Mediterranean countries where carob trees thrive. Key trade considerations involve the quality of the pods (e.g., sugar content, absence of pests), proper drying and storage to prevent spoilage, and the purity of extracted products like carob powder or LBG.
What products fall under HS code 121292?
Dried carob pods, carob powder, carob chips, carob seeds, locust bean gum (raw material), carob syrup, roasted carob.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 121292?
Could be confused with 121299 (other sugar-containing plants) if not specifically carob, or 0802 (other nuts) if seeds are mistaken for nuts.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 121292?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 121292 in UN Comtrade data were Morocco ($29M, 54% of world exports), Spain ($5.9M) and Italy ($4.2M). World exports came to about $54M, 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 121292?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 121292 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($8.3M, 20% of world imports), Switzerland ($6.2M) and Italy ($3.5M). World imports came to about $41M, 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 121292 structured?
HS code 121292 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (12) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (92) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 121292?
In Brazil, HS code 121292 is NCM 1212.92.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.