Product classification
HS code for Soybean seeds: 1201.10
Soya beans, seed, whether or not broken.
Classification of soybean seeds under HS 1201.10
Soybean seeds intended for sowing are classified under HS code 1201.10. This classification is found within Chapter 12, which covers oil seeds and oleaginous fruits. Heading 1201 is specific to soya beans, and the subheading 1201.10 is a carve-out specifically for seed. To qualify for this classification, the beans must typically meet national regulatory standards for seed purity and germination and be intended strictly for planting rather than for food consumption or oil crushing. Customs authorities often require specific labeling or phytosanitary certification to verify that the shipment is indeed for sowing purposes.
- Covers
- Certified soybean seeds for planting
- Hybrid soybean seeds
- Genetically modified (GMO) seeds for sowing
- Non-GMO seeds for sowing
- Treated seeds (coated with fungicides or insecticides)
- Also under 1201.10
- Pioneer Brand Soybean Seeds
- Bayer Crop Science Soybean Seeds
- Syngenta Soybean Seeds
- Corteva Agriscience Soybean Seeds
Codes often confused with 1201.10
Common mistake. The primary misclassification occurs with HS code 1201.90, which covers "other" soybeans. If the beans are intended for any use other than sowing (such as tofu production, oil extraction, or animal feed), they must be classified under 1201.90. Additionally, some may look at 1209.91 (vegetable seeds), but since soybeans are explicitly named in heading 1201, the rules of specificity dictate that 1201.10 takes precedence over the general vegetable seed category.
Top exporters and importers of HS 120110 (the code used for soybean seeds), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 120110 (the code used for soybean seeds) in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 59% 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 120110, not only soybean seeds.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Canada $39M 23% of world exports
- 2 United States $30M 18% of world exports
- 3 Austria $16M 9.4% of world exports
World total: $168M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Malaysia $209M 59% of world imports
- 2 South Africa $23M 6.4% of world imports
- 3 Italy $17M 4.9% of world imports
World total: $355M 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 soybean seeds
Brazil classifies soybean seeds under NCM 1201.10.00: HS 1201.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about soybean seeds
What is the HS code for Soybean seeds?
The HS code for Soybean seeds is 120110 (Soya beans; seed, whether or not broken). The HS code for soybean seeds intended for sowing is 1201.10.
How do I classify Soybean seeds for customs?
Soybean seeds is classified under HS code 120110 — Soya beans; seed, whether or not broken. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How do customs distinguish between 1201.10 and 1201.90?
Distinction is usually based on packaging, labeling, and accompanying agricultural certificates that prove the seeds are for planting and meet germination standards.
Which countries are the top exporters of soybean seeds (HS 120110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 120110 (the code used for soybean seeds) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($39M, 23% of world exports), the United States ($30M) and Austria ($16M). World exports came to about $168M, 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 soybean seeds (HS 120110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 120110 (the code used for soybean seeds) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($209M, 59% of world imports), South Africa ($23M) and Italy ($17M). World imports came to about $355M, 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 Soybean seeds the same in all countries?
The base HS code 120110 for Soybean 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 soybean seeds in Brazil?
In Brazil, soybean seeds (HS 120110) is classified under NCM 1201.10.00.