HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1212.93 – Sugar cane; fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground
HS code 1212.93 is the 6-digit subheading for sugar cane, fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground. It is used for fresh sugar cane stalks, cut sugar cane, sugar cane juice (raw), dried sugar cane pulp (food grade) and sugar cane molasses (food grade).
What HS 1212.93 covers
This HS code covers sugar cane, whether fresh, chilled, frozen, or dried, that is fit for human consumption. Sugar cane is one of the world's most important agricultural crops, primarily cultivated for its high sucrose content, which is extracted to produce various forms of sugar. Beyond refined sugar, it's also consumed directly as fresh stalks for chewing, or its juice is extracted for beverages. Importers are typically sugar refineries, food and beverage manufacturers, and agricultural commodity traders. Exporters are predominantly tropical and subtropical nations with vast sugar cane plantations. Key trade considerations include the sugar content (Brix level), efficient harvesting and transportation to mills, and adherence to phytosanitary regulations to prevent the spread of plant diseases.
- Covers
- Fresh sugar cane stalks
- Cut sugar cane
- Sugar cane juice (raw)
- Dried sugar cane pulp (food grade)
- Sugar cane molasses (food grade)
- Frozen sugar cane.
- Examples
- Florida Crystals
- Raízen (Brazil)
- Wilmar International (Asia)
- Louis Dreyfus Company
- American Sugar Refining
- Inc.
Codes often confused with 1212.93
Common mistake. Can be confused with 121299 (other sugar-containing plants) if not specifically sugar cane, or 0604 (foliage) if used decoratively, but its primary use is for sugar.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 121293, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 121293 in UN Comtrade data was Laos, with about 82% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 93% of world imports. Mexico reports $2.3B of its chapter 12 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Laos* ~$76M 82% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Vietnam* ~$5.7M 6.1% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Malaysia $3.5M 3.8% of world exports
World total: $93M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $239M 93% of world imports
- 2 Singapore $4.0M 1.5% of world imports
- 3 United States $3.9M 1.5% of world imports
Mexico reports $2.3B of its chapter 12 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $257M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 1212.93
Brazil does not split HS 1212.93: its NCM code is 1212.93.00.
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 1212.93
What is HS code 121293?
HS code 121293 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sugar cane; fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground. This HS code covers sugar cane, whether fresh, chilled, frozen, or dried, that is fit for human consumption. Sugar cane is one of the world's most important agricultural crops, primarily cultivated for its high sucrose content, which is extracted to produce various forms of sugar. Beyond refined sugar, it's also consumed directly as fresh stalks for chewing, or its juice is extracted for beverages. Importers are typically sugar refineries, food and beverage manufacturers, and agricultural commodity traders. Exporters are predominantly tropical and subtropical nations with vast sugar cane plantations. Key trade considerations include the sugar content (Brix level), efficient harvesting and transportation to mills, and adherence to phytosanitary regulations to prevent the spread of plant diseases.
What products fall under HS code 121293?
Fresh sugar cane stalks, cut sugar cane, sugar cane juice (raw), dried sugar cane pulp (food grade), sugar cane molasses (food grade), frozen sugar cane.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 121293?
Can be confused with 121299 (other sugar-containing plants) if not specifically sugar cane, or 0604 (foliage) if used decoratively, but its primary use is for sugar.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 121293?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 121293 in UN Comtrade data were Laos (about $76M, 82% of world exports), Vietnam (about $5.7M) and Malaysia ($3.5M). World exports came to about $93M, 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 121293?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 121293 in UN Comtrade data were China ($239M, 93% of world imports), Singapore ($4.0M) and the United States ($3.9M). World imports came to about $257M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Mexico reports $2.3B of its chapter 12 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 121293 structured?
HS code 121293 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 (93) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 121293?
In Brazil, HS code 121293 is NCM 1212.93.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.