Product classification
HS code for Sugar beet seeds: 1209.10
Seed, sugar beet seeds, of a kind used for sowing.
Classification of sugar beet seeds under HS 1209.10
Sugar beet seeds are classified under HS code 1209.10. This classification is governed by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) which prioritize the specific use of the product. Chapter 12, heading 1209, is dedicated to seeds, fruit, and spores of a kind used for sowing. Because sugar beet seeds are specifically cultivated and treated for the purpose of planting to grow new crops, they are distinct from the sugar beet root itself. The classification applies regardless of whether the seeds have been treated with fungicides, pesticides, or coated with nutrients to facilitate germination (pelleted seeds). The essential character of the product is its reproductive capability. It is important to note that this code is strictly for the seeds; once the seed has germinated or if the product consists of the vegetable itself, the classification shifts to other headings within Chapter 12 or Chapter 7.
- Covers
- Pure sugar beet seeds for agricultural use
- Pelleted sugar beet seeds (coated with clay or nutrients)
- Fungicide-treated sugar beet seeds
- Hybrid sugar beet seeds for sowing
- Certified sugar beet planting stock
- Also under 1209.10
- KWS Sugar Beet Seeds
- SESVanderHave Sugar Beet Seeds
- Betaseed Sugar Beet Seeds
- Syngenta Sugar Beet Seeds
Codes often confused with 1209.10
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 1212.91, which covers the actual sugar beet root. Importers may also mistakenly use HS code 1209.91, which is a general category for vegetable seeds; however, because sugar beet seeds have a specific six-digit subheading (1209.10), that specific code must take precedence over the general vegetable seed category. Furthermore, seeds intended for oil extraction or human consumption (not sowing) would fall under different headings in Chapter 12, though sugar beet seeds are rarely used for those purposes.
Top exporters and importers of HS 120910 (the code used for sugar beet seeds), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 120910 (the code used for sugar beet seeds) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 17% 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 120910, not only sugar beet seeds.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $590M 52% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $190M 17% of world exports
- 3 France $142M 12% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $198M 17% of world imports
- 2 Germany $177M 15% of world imports
- 3 Russia* ~$149M 13% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.2B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 seeds
Brazil classifies sugar beet seeds under NCM 1209.10.00: HS 1209.10 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 seeds
What is the HS code for Sugar beet seeds?
The HS code for Sugar beet seeds is 120910 (Seed; sugar beet seeds, of a kind used for sowing). The specific HS code for sugar beet seeds intended for sowing is 1209.10.
How do I classify Sugar beet seeds for customs?
Sugar beet seeds is classified under HS code 120910 — Seed; sugar beet seeds, of a kind used for sowing. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does seed coating change the HS code for sugar beet seeds?
No, sugar beet seeds that are pelleted or coated with protective chemicals remain classified under 1209.10 as long as they are intended for sowing.
Which countries are the top exporters of sugar beet seeds (HS 120910)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 120910 (the code used for sugar beet seeds) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($590M, 52% of world exports), Belgium ($190M) and France ($142M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 seeds (HS 120910)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 120910 (the code used for sugar beet seeds) in UN Comtrade data were France ($198M, 17% of world imports), Germany ($177M) and Russia (about $149M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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 seeds the same in all countries?
The base HS code 120910 for Sugar beet 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 sugar beet seeds in Brazil?
In Brazil, sugar beet seeds (HS 120910) is classified under NCM 1209.10.00.