Product classification
HS code for Forage pellets: 1214.90
Forage products including swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, sainfoin, clover, forage kale, lupines, vetches etc., pelletised or otherwise.
Classification of forage pellets under HS 1214.90
Forage pellets are classified under HS code 1214.90, which covers a variety of vegetable products used for animal fodder. Heading 1214 includes swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, lucerne (alfalfa), clover, sainfoin, forage kale, lupines, vetches, and similar forage products. The classification under 1214.90 is applied when these products are presented in forms other than lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets, which are specifically carved out into subheading 1214.10. Forage pellets classified here are typically produced by compressing raw vegetable matter into a cylindrical or spherical shape to facilitate transport and storage. The classification depends on the product being a basic vegetable material that has not been mixed with other nutritional additives or chemical binders that would transform it into a "prepared" animal feed. If the pelletization process involves only the mechanical compression of the plant material, 1214.90 is the correct designation.
- Covers
- Hay pellets
- Clover pellets
- Sainfoin pellets
- Forage kale pellets
- Mixed grass pellets without nutritional additives
- 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. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 2309, which covers preparations of a kind used in animal feeding. If the forage pellets contain added molasses, vitamins, minerals, or other grains to create a balanced ration, they move from Chapter 12 to Chapter 23. Another common error is using 1214.10 for all forage pellets; however, 1214.10 is strictly reserved for lucerne (alfalfa) products. Non-alfalfa forage must remain in 1214.90.
Top exporters and importers of HS 121490 (the code used for forage pellets), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 121490 (the code used for forage pellets) 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 forage pellets.
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 forage pellets
Brazil classifies forage pellets 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 forage pellets
What is the HS code for Forage pellets?
The HS code for Forage pellets is 121490 (Forage products including swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, sainfoin, clover, forage kale, lupines, vetches etc., pelletised or otherwise). Forage pellets made from hay, clover, or other grasses (excluding alfalfa) are classified under HS code 1214.90.
How do I classify Forage pellets for customs?
Forage pellets 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 alfalfa pellets be classified under 1214.90?
No, alfalfa (lucerne) pellets are specifically classified under HS code 1214.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of forage pellets (HS 121490)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 121490 (the code used for forage pellets) 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 forage pellets (HS 121490)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 121490 (the code used for forage pellets) 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 Forage pellets the same in all countries?
The base HS code 121490 for Forage pellets 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 forage pellets in Brazil?
In Brazil, forage pellets (HS 121490) is classified under NCM 1214.90.00.