Product classification
HS code for Flowering bulbs: 0601.20
Plants, live, bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes, in growth or in flower, chicory plants and roots other than of heading no. 1212.
Classification of flowering bulbs under HS 0601.20
HS code 060120 is designated for bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns, and rhizomes that are in growth or in flower. This code also explicitly includes chicory plants and roots, provided they are not the variety used for coffee substitutes (which fall under 1212). The classification is based on the active biological state of the plant. Unlike dormant bulbs (060110), these items have begun their vegetative or reproductive cycle. This often includes "forced" bulbs that have been treated to bloom out of season or plants that are sold in pots, bowls, or other containers while in bloom. The General Rules of Interpretation require that products be classified according to their condition at the time of import. Therefore, even if a bulb was intended to be dormant, if it arrives with visible growth or flowers, it must be classified under 060120. This classification is vital for biosecurity, as active plants may harbor different pests or pathogens than dormant ones, requiring more stringent inspections.
- Covers
- Potted tulips in bloom
- Sprouted hyacinths in glass jars
- Flowering lilies in containers
- Chicory plants (live)
- Potted daffodils with green shoots
- Crocus plants in flower
- Also under 0601.20
- Ball Horticultural Company potted plants
- Syngenta Flowers in-growth bulbs
- various Dutch flower auction products
- local garden center flowering plants.
Codes often confused with 0601.20
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with 060110, which is reserved for dormant bulbs. Importers often fail to update the code when shipping pre-sprouted or forced bulbs. Another confusion arises with 060290, which covers other live plants. However, because 0601 specifically mentions bulbs and tubers, it takes precedence over the more general 0602 category according to the principle of specificity in GRI 3(a). Chicory roots for industrial use should be checked against 121291 to avoid errors.
Top exporters and importers of HS 060120 (the code used for flowering bulbs), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 060120 (the code used for flowering bulbs) in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 74% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 19% 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 060120, not only flowering bulbs.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Netherlands $533M 74% of world exports
- 2 Germany $45M 6.2% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $31M 4.2% of world exports
World total: $724M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $140M 19% of world imports
- 2 Switzerland $113M 15% of world imports
- 3 France $81M 11% of world imports
World total: $745M 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 flowering bulbs
Brazil classifies flowering bulbs under NCM 0601.20.00: HS 0601.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about flowering bulbs
What is the HS code for Flowering bulbs?
The HS code for Flowering bulbs is 060120 (Plants, live; bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes, in growth or in flower, chicory plants and roots other than of heading no. 1212). The HS code for bulbs that are in growth or in flower is 060120.
How do I classify Flowering bulbs for customs?
Flowering bulbs is classified under HS code 060120 — Plants, live; bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes, in growth or in flower, chicory plants and roots other than of heading no. 1212. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does 060120 include the pot or container?
Yes, when flowering bulbs are sold in pots, the entire unit is typically classified under 060120, as the container is considered part of the packaging for the live plant.
Which countries are the top exporters of flowering bulbs (HS 060120)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 060120 (the code used for flowering bulbs) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($533M, 74% of world exports), Germany ($45M) and Belgium ($31M). World exports came to about $724M, 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 flowering bulbs (HS 060120)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 060120 (the code used for flowering bulbs) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($140M, 19% of world imports), Switzerland ($113M) and France ($81M). World imports came to about $745M, 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 Flowering bulbs the same in all countries?
The base HS code 060120 for Flowering bulbs 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 flowering bulbs in Brazil?
In Brazil, flowering bulbs (HS 060120) is classified under NCM 0601.20.00.