Product classification
HS code for Canary seeds: 1008.30
Cereals, canary seeds.
Classification of canary seeds under HS 1008.30
Canary seeds are classified under HS code 1008.30, which falls within Chapter 10 of the Harmonized System. This chapter is specifically dedicated to cereals. The heading 1008 covers buckwheat, millet, and canary seeds, along with other miscellaneous cereals. Canary seed, scientifically known as Phalaris canariensis, is a grass primarily cultivated for its grain. While it is most commonly recognized as a staple component in birdseed mixtures, its botanical classification as a cereal grain dictates its placement in Chapter 10. The classification remains consistent regardless of whether the seeds are intended for animal feed or human consumption, provided they are in their raw, unprocessed grain form. The Harmonized System prioritizes the botanical nature of the product over its end-use in this instance. If the seeds have been further processed beyond basic cleaning, husking, or polishing, or if they have been mixed with other types of seeds or nutritional additives to create a specific animal feed preparation, the classification might shift. However, pure canary seeds, even if intended for sowing, are typically retained under this heading due to the specific provisions of the General Interpretative Rules which prioritize specific cereal headings for these types of grains.
- Covers
- Raw canary seeds (Phalaris canariensis)
- Hulled or polished canary seeds
- Canary seeds intended for sowing
- Canary seeds for human consumption (often used in gluten-free flours)
- Bulk canary seeds for bird feed manufacturers
- Also under 1008.30
- Kaytee Canary & Finch Food
- Vitakraft Canary Food
- Higgins Safflower Gold Canary & Finch
- various bulk seed suppliers
Codes often confused with 1008.30
Common mistake. Canary seeds are frequently misclassified under HS code 1209.91 or 1209.99, which cover seeds, fruit, and spores of a kind used for sowing. While canary seeds are indeed sown, the specific heading for cereals in Chapter 10 takes precedence over the general heading for seeds in Chapter 12. Another common error is using HS code 2309.90, which covers preparations of a kind used in animal feeding. This code should only be used if the canary seeds have been mixed with other ingredients or processed into a compound feed. If the product is 100% canary seed, 1008.30 is the correct designation.
Top exporters and importers of HS 100830 (the code used for canary seeds), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 100830 (the code used for canary seeds) in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 77% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 26% 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 100830, not only canary seeds.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Canada $94M 77% of world exports
- 2 Argentina $9.1M 7.5% of world exports
- 3 United States $4.4M 3.6% of world exports
World total: $122M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Mexico $34M 26% of world imports
- 2 Brazil $9.7M 7.4% of world imports
- 3 China $9.3M 7.1% of world imports
World total: $131M 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 codes for canary seeds
Brazil splits HS 1008.30 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 1008.30.10Canary seed for sowing
- 1008.30.90Canary seed, not for sowing
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about canary seeds
What is the HS code for Canary seeds?
The HS code for Canary seeds is 100830 (Cereals; canary seeds). The HS code for canary seeds is 1008.30, classified under the cereals chapter.
How do I classify Canary seeds for customs?
Canary seeds is classified under HS code 100830 — Cereals; canary seeds. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can canary seeds be classified under Chapter 12?
No, although they are seeds, the Harmonized System rules dictate that cereals must be classified in Chapter 10, even if they are intended for sowing.
Which countries are the top exporters of canary seeds (HS 100830)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 100830 (the code used for canary seeds) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($94M, 77% of world exports), Argentina ($9.1M) and the United States ($4.4M). World exports came to about $122M, 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 canary seeds (HS 100830)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 100830 (the code used for canary seeds) in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($34M, 26% of world imports), Brazil ($9.7M) and China ($9.3M). World imports came to about $131M, 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 Canary seeds the same in all countries?
The base HS code 100830 for Canary seeds 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 canary seeds in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 100830 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for canary seeds depends on the product's details: 1008.30.10 (Canary seed for sowing), 1008.30.90 (Canary seed, not for sowing).