Product classification
HS code for Sugar beet: 1212.91
Sugar beet, fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground.
Classification of sugar beet under HS 1212.91
Sugar beet is classified under HS code 1212.91, which falls within Chapter 12 of the Harmonized System. This chapter generally covers oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, miscellaneous grains, seeds, and fruit, as well as industrial or medicinal plants and straw. Specifically, heading 1212 includes locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet, and sugar cane, provided they are fresh, chilled, frozen, or dried, and whether or not they are ground. The classification of sugar beet under 1212.91 is determined by its primary use as a raw material for sugar extraction and its botanical nature. To qualify for this code, the product must be fit for human consumption, although in practice, sugar beets are primarily processed industrially. The code covers the beet root in various physical states, including whole roots, sliced portions (often referred to as cossettes), and dried forms, provided they have not undergone further processing that would move them into the category of prepared foods or sugars found in Chapter 17.
- Covers
- Fresh sugar beet roots
- Chilled sugar beet segments
- Frozen sugar beet slices
- Dried sugar beet, whether or not ground
- Sugar beet cossettes intended for sugar extraction
- Also under 1212.91
- American Crystal Sugar Company
- Südzucker AG
- British Sugar plc
- Michigan Sugar Company
- Cristal Union.
Codes often confused with 1212.91
Common mistake. Sugar beet is frequently misclassified with HS code 1209.10, which is reserved specifically for sugar beet seeds used for sowing. Another common error involves HS code 2303.20, which covers beet-pulp and other waste of sugar manufacture; this code should only be used if the beet has already undergone the extraction process and is being traded as a residue, typically for animal feed. Additionally, importers sometimes confuse sugar beet with edible root vegetables in heading 0706, but sugar beet is excluded from Chapter 7 due to its industrial application.
Top exporters and importers of HS 121291 (the code used for sugar beet), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 121291 (the code used for sugar beet) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 33% 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 121291, not only sugar beet.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $27M 44% of world exports
- 2 Canada $14M 23% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $6.7M 11% of world exports
World total: $62M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Switzerland $31M 33% of world imports
- 2 United States $14M 15% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $13M 14% of world imports
World total: $94M 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 sugar beet
Brazil classifies sugar beet under NCM 1212.91.00: HS 1212.91 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about sugar beet
What is the HS code for Sugar beet?
The HS code for Sugar beet is 121291 (Sugar beet; fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground). The primary HS code for sugar beet, whether fresh, chilled, frozen, or dried, is 1212.91.
How do I classify Sugar beet for customs?
Sugar beet is classified under HS code 121291 — Sugar beet; fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is dried sugar beet classified differently than fresh sugar beet?
No, both fresh and dried sugar beets remain under HS code 1212.91, provided they have not been processed into sugar or chemical derivatives.
Which countries are the top exporters of sugar beet (HS 121291)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 121291 (the code used for sugar beet) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($27M, 44% of world exports), Canada ($14M) and Belgium ($6.7M). World exports came to about $62M, 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 sugar beet (HS 121291)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 121291 (the code used for sugar beet) in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($31M, 33% of world imports), the United States ($14M) and the Netherlands ($13M). World imports came to about $94M, 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 Sugar beet the same in all countries?
The base HS code 121291 for Sugar beet 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 sugar beet in Brazil?
In Brazil, sugar beet (HS 121291) is classified under NCM 1212.91.00.