Product classification
HS code for Fodder: 1214.90
Forage products including swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, sainfoin, clover, forage kale, lupines, vetches etc., pelletised or otherwise.
Classification of fodder under HS 1214.90
Classification under HS code 1214.90 is determined by the botanical nature and the intended use of the product as animal forage. This code falls within Chapter 12, which encompasses oil seeds, medicinal plants, and straw and fodder. Specifically, heading 1214 covers vegetable products of a kind used for animal food, provided they are not elsewhere specified. The subheading 1214.90 is a residual category for forage products that are not lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets. These products may be presented in the form of whole plants, chopped pieces, or compressed into pellets. The classification remains consistent regardless of whether the product is dried or otherwise preserved, as long as it has not undergone significant processing that would move it to Chapter 23. The Harmonized System distinguishes between raw agricultural products and prepared animal feed. Products in 1214 are generally considered raw or simply prepared, such as being dried, crushed, or pelletized without additives. If the product is a mixture of different materials or contains added minerals, vitamins, or chemicals to enhance nutritional value, it may shift to Chapter 23. Understanding the level of processing is crucial for correct classification.
- Covers
- Dried hay and sweet hay
- Clover and sainfoin
- Forage kale and lupines
- Vetches and similar forage products
- Fodder roots and mangolds
- Swedes used for animal feed
- Also under 1214.90
- Oxbow Timothy Hay
- Standlee Premium Western Forage Orchard Grass
- M&R Forage Products Hay Bales
Codes often confused with 1214.90
Common mistake. Fodder is frequently confused with HS code 1213.00, which is strictly for cereal straw and husks, unprepared, whether or not chopped, ground, pressed, or in the form of pellets. Another common error is classifying these products under 2309.90, which covers preparations of a kind used in animal feeding. The distinction lies in the level of processing; 1214.90 is for primary vegetable products, while 2309.90 is for complex mixtures or products with added nutritional supplements.
Top exporters and importers of HS 121490 (the code used for fodder), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 121490 (the code used for fodder) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 121490, not only fodder.
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 fodder
Brazil classifies fodder under NCM 1214.90.00: HS 1214.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fodder
What is the HS code for Fodder?
The HS code for Fodder is 121490 (Forage products including swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, sainfoin, clover, forage kale, lupines, vetches etc., pelletised or otherwise). The primary HS code for general forage products and fodder is 1214.90.
How do I classify Fodder for customs?
Fodder is classified under HS code 121490 — Forage products including swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, sainfoin, clover, forage kale, lupines, vetches etc., pelletised or otherwise. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can pelletized forage be classified under 1214.90?
Yes, forage products that have been pelletized remain under this code as long as they have not been mixed with other substances or additives that would classify them as prepared animal feed.
Which countries are the top exporters of fodder (HS 121490)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 121490 (the code used for fodder) 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 fodder (HS 121490)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 121490 (the code used for fodder) 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.
Is the HS code for Fodder the same in all countries?
The base HS code 121490 for Fodder 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 fodder in Brazil?
In Brazil, fodder (HS 121490) is classified under NCM 1214.90.00.