Product classification
HS code for African cherry bark: 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.
Classification of african cherry bark under HS 1211.60
HS 121160 specifically covers the bark of the African cherry tree (Prunus africana). The critical aspect of this classification is its intended use: primarily in perfumery, pharmacy, or for insecticidal, fungicidal, or similar purposes. This distinguishes it from bark used for other applications, such as fuel or general botanical specimens. The code also accommodates various states of the bark, including fresh, chilled, frozen, or dried, and whether it has been cut, crushed, or powdered, reflecting common forms in which this product is traded. This precise definition ensures that the specific medicinal and aromatic properties of African cherry bark are recognized for classification purposes.
- Covers
- Fresh African cherry bark (Prunus africana)
- Dried African cherry bark (Prunus africana)
- Crushed African cherry bark for pharmaceutical use
- Powdered African cherry bark for perfumery
- African cherry bark extracts (if still primarily bark material)
- Also under 1211.60
- 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. Other HS codes often confused with 121160 include: HS 121190 (Plants and parts of plants, including seeds and fruits, 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; other). This is a residual category for other plants or parts of plants used for similar purposes. African cherry bark has its own specific subheading (121160), so it should not be classified under this broader "other" category. HS 140490 (Vegetable products not elsewhere specified or included; other). This code is for general vegetable products not covered elsewhere. African cherry bark, with its specific uses, is explicitly covered by 121160 and thus would not fall into this general category. HS 4401 (Fuel wood, in logs, billets, twigs, faggots or similar forms; wood in chips or particles; sawdust and wood waste and scrap, whether or not agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms). If African cherry bark were intended for fuel, it would be classified under Chapter 44. However, 121160 specifically targets its use in perfumery, pharmacy, or as an insecticide/fungicide.
Top exporters and importers of HS 121160 (the code used for african cherry bark), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 121160 (the code used for african cherry bark) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 121160, not only african cherry bark.
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 african cherry bark
Brazil classifies african cherry bark under NCM 1211.60.00: HS 1211.60 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about african cherry bark
What is the HS code for African cherry bark?
The HS code for African cherry bark is 121160 (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). The Harmonized System (HS) code for African cherry bark (Prunus africana), when used primarily in perfumery, pharmacy, or for insecticidal/fungicidal purposes, is 121160. This applies regardless of whether it is fresh, dried, cut, crushed, or powdered.
How do I classify African cherry bark for customs?
African cherry bark is classified under HS code 121160 — 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 is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does HS 121160 cover African cherry bark used for general decorative purposes?
No, HS 121160 specifically applies to African cherry bark used primarily in perfumery, pharmacy, or for insecticidal/fungicidal purposes. If the bark is intended for general decorative use or other non-specified purposes, it would likely fall under a different HS code, such as a general vegetable product category.
Which countries are the top exporters of african cherry bark (HS 121160)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 121160 (the code used for african cherry bark) 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 african cherry bark (HS 121160)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 121160 (the code used for african cherry bark) 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.
Is the HS code for African cherry bark the same in all countries?
The base HS code 121160 for African cherry bark is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for african cherry bark in Brazil?
In Brazil, african cherry bark (HS 121160) is classified under NCM 1211.60.00.