HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1214.90 – Forage products including swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, sainfoin, clover, forage kale, lupines, vetches etc., pelletised or otherwise
HS code 1214.90 is the 6-digit subheading for forage products including swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, sainfoin, clover, forage kale, lupines, vetches etc., pelletised or otherwise. It is used for timothy hay, orchard grass hay, clover hay, sainfoin pellets and fodder beet.
What HS 1214.90 covers
This broad HS code covers a wide array of forage products, excluding lucerne meal and pellets, that are essential for animal nutrition. It includes various types of hay (e.g., timothy, orchard grass, clover), fodder roots like swedes and mangolds, and other legumes such as sainfoin, lupines, and vetches, whether pelletized or otherwise prepared. International trade in these goods supports livestock industries in countries with insufficient local forage production or those seeking specific nutritional profiles for their animals. Importers range from individual farmers to large-scale feed mills. Key trade considerations involve moisture content, nutrient analysis, freedom from weeds and pests, and efficient packaging (bales, pellets) to minimize transport costs and ensure product integrity upon arrival. Quality and consistency are paramount for animal health and productivity.
- Covers
- Timothy hay
- Orchard grass hay
- Clover hay
- Sainfoin pellets
- Fodder beet
- Swedes (rutabaga)
- Vetch seeds (for forage)
- Forage kale
- Examples
- Oxbow Timothy Hay
- Standlee Premium Western Forage Orchard Grass
- M&R Forage Products Hay Bales
Codes often confused with 1214.90
Common mistake. Often confused with 121300 (cereal straw and husks) if the product is a by-product rather than a primary forage crop, or 121410 if it's specifically lucerne.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 121490, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 121490 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 49% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 25% 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 United States $1.2B 49% of world exports
- 2 Australia $455M 19% of world exports
- 3 Spain $195M 8.0% of world exports
World total: $2.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $649M 25% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $408M 16% of world imports
- 3 China $383M 15% of world imports
World total: $2.6B 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 1214.90
Brazil does not split HS 1214.90: its NCM code is 1214.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 12.14 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1214.90
What is HS code 121490?
HS code 121490 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Forage products including swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, sainfoin, clover, forage kale, lupines, vetches etc., pelletised or otherwise. This broad HS code covers a wide array of forage products, excluding lucerne meal and pellets, that are essential for animal nutrition. It includes various types of hay (e.g., timothy, orchard grass, clover), fodder roots like swedes and mangolds, and other legumes such as sainfoin, lupines, and vetches, whether pelletized or otherwise prepared. International trade in these goods supports livestock industries in countries with insufficient local forage production or those seeking specific nutritional profiles for their animals. Importers range from individual farmers to large-scale feed mills. Key trade considerations involve moisture content, nutrient analysis, freedom from weeds and pests, and efficient packaging (bales, pellets) to minimize transport costs and ensure product integrity upon arrival. Quality and consistency are paramount for animal health and productivity.
What products fall under HS code 121490?
Timothy hay, Orchard grass hay, Clover hay, Sainfoin pellets, Fodder beet, Swedes (rutabaga), Vetch seeds (for forage), Forage kale
What are common misclassifications for HS code 121490?
Often confused with 121300 (cereal straw and husks) if the product is a by-product rather than a primary forage crop, or 121410 if it's specifically lucerne.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 121490?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 121490 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.2B, 49% of world exports), Australia ($455M) and Spain ($195M). World exports came to about $2.4B, 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 121490?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 121490 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($649M, 25% of world imports), South Korea ($408M) and China ($383M). World imports came to about $2.6B, 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 121490 structured?
HS code 121490 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (12) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (14) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 121490?
In Brazil, HS code 121490 is NCM 1214.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.