Product classification
HS code for Soybeans for planting: 1201.10
Soya beans, seed, whether or not broken.
Classification of soybeans for planting under HS 1201.10
Soybeans intended for sowing are classified under HS code 1201.10. Chapter 12 covers oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, and heading 1201 is specific to soya beans, whether or not broken. The international community distinguishes between seeds for planting and soybeans for other uses (such as oil extraction or food production) at the six-digit subheading level. To qualify for 1201.10, the beans must be of a quality suitable for sowing and are often treated with fungicides or marked by specific packaging and certification from agricultural authorities. This classification is critical because seeds for planting often face different regulatory requirements, such as phytosanitary certificates and import quotas, compared to commodity-grade soybeans. The classification is based on the intended biological use of the product rather than its nutritional or industrial value.
- Covers
- Certified soybean seeds for sowing
- Fungicide-treated soybean seeds
- Genetically modified (GMO) soybean seeds for planting
- Non-GMO soybean seeds for planting
- Hybrid soybean seeds
- 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 most common misclassification is with HS code 1201.90, which covers "other" soybeans, including those used for food, animal feed, or oil crushing. Importers often fail to specify the "seed" status, leading to the use of the general 1201.90 code. Another potential error is HS code 0713.31, which covers certain dried beans. However, the Harmonized System explicitly excludes soybeans from heading 0713 and directs them to heading 1201. It is also important not to confuse these with "seeds" of other plants found in heading 1209, as soybeans have their own dedicated heading in 1201.
Top exporters and importers of HS 120110 (the code used for soybeans for planting), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 120110 (the code used for soybeans for planting) 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 soybeans for planting.
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 soybeans for planting
Brazil classifies soybeans for planting 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 soybeans for planting
What is the HS code for Soybeans for planting?
The HS code for Soybeans for planting is 120110 (Soya beans; seed, whether or not broken).
How do I classify Soybeans for planting for customs?
Soybeans for planting is classified under HS code 120110 — Soya beans; seed, whether or not broken. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for soybean seeds?
The specific HS code for soybeans intended for sowing (planting) is 1201.10.
How is 1201.10 distinguished from 1201.90?
1201.10 is strictly for seeds for planting, usually verified by agricultural certification, while 1201.90 is for all other soybeans used for food or oil.
Which countries are the top exporters of soybeans for planting (HS 120110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 120110 (the code used for soybeans for planting) 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 soybeans for planting (HS 120110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 120110 (the code used for soybeans for planting) 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 Soybeans for planting the same in all countries?
The base HS code 120110 for Soybeans for planting 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 soybeans for planting in Brazil?
In Brazil, soybeans for planting (HS 120110) is classified under NCM 1201.10.00.