Product classification

HS code for Live plants: 0602.90

Plants, live, n.e.c. in heading no. 0602.

Classification of live plants under HS 0602.90

HS code 0602.90 is a residual category for live plants that are not specifically named elsewhere in Heading 0602. Chapter 6 of the Harmonized System covers live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots, and the like. Heading 0602 specifically addresses "other live plants (including their roots), cuttings and slips; mushroom spawn." Within this heading, specific subheadings exist for unrooted cuttings (0602.10), edible fruit or nut trees (0602.20), and rhododendrons or azaleas (0602.30). If a live plant does not fit into these specific categories—such as many types of ornamental shrubs, perennial flowering plants, or indoor foliage—it is classified under 0602.90. This classification requires the plant to be live and usually includes the root system, often with a growing medium like soil or peat. The presence of soil is a significant factor for phytosanitary inspections but does not change the HS code. This code is essential for the nursery and landscaping industry for the international movement of diverse flora.

Covers: Ornamental shrubs and bushes
Perennial flowering plants (not bulbs)
Indoor potted foliage plants
Herbaceous plants
Live mosses and lichens for decorative use
Tree seedlings (non-fruit/nut)
Also under 0602.90: Various specialized nurseries
forestry seedling suppliers
botanical plant distributors
exotic plant retailers.

Codes often confused with 0602.90

Common mistake. Live plants are often misclassified under 0601.10 or 0601.20 if they are in a dormant state as bulbs or tubers. They may also be confused with 0602.10 if they are unrooted cuttings. Furthermore, if the plant produces edible fruit, it must be moved to 0602.20. It is vital to check if a specific subheading exists before defaulting to the 0602.90 residual code.

0601.10Plants, live; bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes, dormant 0601.20Plants, live; bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes, in growth or in flower, chicory plants and roots other than of heading no. 1212 0602.10Plants, live; unrooted cuttings and slips 0602.20Plants, live; edible fruit or nut trees, shrubs and bushes, grafted or not

Top exporters and importers of HS 060290 (the code used for live plants), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 060290 (the code used for live plants) in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 51% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 18% 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 060290, not only live plants.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

1 Netherlands $5.3B 51% of world exports
2 Italy $842M 8.1% of world exports
3 Germany $813M 7.8% of world exports

World total: $10.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

1 Germany $1.7B 18% of world imports
2 United Kingdom $868M 9.3% of world imports
3 Netherlands $786M 8.4% of world imports

World total: $9.3B 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 live plants

Brazil splits HS 0602.90 into 8 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

0602.90.10Mushroom spawn
0602.90.21Orchid plants for planting
0602.90.29Other ornamental plants for planting
0602.90.81Sugar cane plants for planting
0602.90.82Grapevine plants for planting
0602.90.83Coffee plants for planting
0602.90.89Other non-ornamental plants for planting
0602.90.90Other live plants

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Access via API

POST /api/classify/

{
  "query": "live plants"
}

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Questions about live plants

What is the HS code for Live plants?

The HS code for Live plants is 060290 (Plants, live; n.e.c. in heading no. 0602). The general HS code for live plants not elsewhere specified is 0602.90.

How do I classify Live plants for customs?

Live plants is classified under HS code 060290 — Plants, live; n.e.c. in heading no. 0602. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include seeds?

No, seeds are generally classified in Chapter 12 (e.g., 1209) and are not considered "live plants" under Chapter 6.

Which countries are the top exporters of live plants (HS 060290)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 060290 (the code used for live plants) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($5.3B, 51% of world exports), Italy ($842M) and Germany ($813M). World exports came to about $10.4B, 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 live plants (HS 060290)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 060290 (the code used for live plants) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.7B, 18% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($868M) and the Netherlands ($786M). World imports came to about $9.3B, 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 Live plants the same in all countries?

The base HS code 060290 for Live plants 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 live plants in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 060290 into 8 NCM codes, so the right one for live plants depends on the product's details: 0602.90.10 (Mushroom spawn), 0602.90.21 (Orchid plants for planting), 0602.90.29 (Other ornamental plants for planting), 0602.90.81 (Sugar cane plants for planting), 0602.90.82 (Grapevine plants for planting), 0602.90.83 (Coffee plants for planting), and more.