Chapter 12 covers oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit, industrial or medicinal plants, straw, straw and fodder. The goods in this chapter are mostly primary agricultural products, mainly for oil extraction, planting, industrial or medicinal use, such as soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, rapeseeds, etc. Note: This chapter does not include edible nuts (Chapter 8) or vegetables mainly for human consumption (Chapter 7). Heading 1206 includes sunflower seeds, whether or not broken. However, it only refers to sunflower seeds for planting or oil extraction, and does not include roasted or salted sunflower seeds for direct human consumption (classified in Chapter 20). It also includes sunflower seeds for sowing, but they must comply with relevant quarantine regulations. First 2 digits 12 = Chapter 12 (oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, etc.); digits 3-4 06 = sunflower seeds; digits 5-6 00 = no further subdivision. Therefore 120600 refers to sunflower seeds, including those for sowing, oil use, and other non-directly edible sunflower seeds. Note: If for sowing, it must be indicated at the time of declaration. Sunflower seeds are oil seeds, mainly for oil extraction or planting, conforming to the scope of Chapter 12, and heading 1206 explicitly lists sunflower seeds. If they have been roasted, seasoned, or otherwise processed for direct consumption, they are classified in Chapter 20 (e.g., 2008). If they are seeds for planting, they are still classified under 120600, but proof of sowing use must be provided.
Chapter
Chapter 12 covers oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit, industrial or medicinal plants, straw, straw and fodder. The goods in this chapter are mostly primary agricultural products, mainly for oil extraction, planting, industrial or medicinal use, such as soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, rapeseeds, etc. Note: This chapter does not include edible nuts (Chapter 8) or vegetables mainly for human consumption (Chapter 7).
Heading
Heading 1206 includes sunflower seeds, whether or not broken. However, it only refers to sunflower seeds for planting or oil extraction, and does not include roasted or salted sunflower seeds for direct human consumption (classified in Chapter 20). It also includes sunflower seeds for sowing, but they must comply with relevant quarantine regulations.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 12 = Chapter 12 (oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, etc.); digits 3-4 06 = sunflower seeds; digits 5-6 00 = no further subdivision. Therefore 120600 refers to sunflower seeds, including those for sowing, oil use, and other non-directly edible sunflower seeds. Note: If for sowing, it must be indicated at the time of declaration.
Classification Basis
Sunflower seeds are oil seeds, mainly for oil extraction or planting, conforming to the scope of Chapter 12, and heading 1206 explicitly lists sunflower seeds. If they have been roasted, seasoned, or otherwise processed for direct consumption, they are classified in Chapter 20 (e.g., 2008). If they are seeds for planting, they are still classified under 120600, but proof of sowing use must be provided.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Specific name of the declared commodity, such as "sunflower seeds", and may be annotated with "for oil use" or "for sowing". Whether for sowing: Clearly state whether they are for planting; if for sowing, relevant proof must be provided. Whether broken: State whether the sunflower seeds have been broken. Degree of processing: Describe whether roasted, seasoned, etc., such as "not roasted". Use: Such as "for oil extraction", "for planting", "for feed". Origin: Country or region of origin of the sunflower seeds. Brand: If there is a brand, the brand name must be declared. Packaging specifications: Such as "25 kg/bag" or "bulk". Product name: sunflower seeds (for oil use); Whether for sowing: No; Whether broken: No; Degree of processing: not roasted; Use: oil extraction; Origin: Ukraine; Brand: no brand; Packaging specifications: 50 kg/bag. Mistakenly declaring sowing sunflower seeds as ordinary oil-use seeds, which may affect tariffs and quarantine. Classifying roasted or seasoned sunflower seeds under 120600, when they should actually be classified under 2008. Ignoring the "whether broken" element; broken seeds and whole seeds may be subject to different supervision.
Product name
Specific name of the declared commodity, such as "sunflower seeds", and may be annotated with "for oil use" or "for sowing".
⚠️ Mistakenly declared as "sunflower seed kernels" or "sunflower seeds (edible)".
Whether for sowing
Clearly state whether they are for planting; if for sowing, relevant proof must be provided.
⚠️ Failure to indicate sowing use, leading to classification disputes or quarantine issues.
Whether broken
State whether the sunflower seeds have been broken.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring broken seeds as whole seeds, affecting classification.
Degree of processing
Describe whether roasted, seasoned, etc., such as "not roasted".
⚠️ Classifying roasted seeds under 120600, when they should actually be classified under 2008.
Use
Such as "for oil extraction", "for planting", "for feed".
⚠️ Vague description of use, such as "edible", easily leading to incorrect classification.
Origin
Country or region of origin of the sunflower seeds.
⚠️ Omitting origin information, affecting tariffs or quarantine.
Brand
If there is a brand, the brand name must be declared.
⚠️ Declaring "no brand" when there is no brand, or brand inconsistent with the actual goods.
Packaging specifications
Such as "25 kg/bag" or "bulk".
⚠️ Packaging specifications not specific, affecting inspection.
Example： Product name: sunflower seeds (for oil use); Whether for sowing: No; Whether broken: No; Degree of processing: not roasted; Use: oil extraction; Origin: Ukraine; Brand: no brand; Packaging specifications: 50 kg/bag.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly declaring sowing sunflower seeds as ordinary oil-use seeds, which may affect tariffs and quarantine.
Classifying roasted or seasoned sunflower seeds under 120600, when they should actually be classified under 2008.
Ignoring the "whether broken" element; broken seeds and whole seeds may be subject to different supervision.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: Sunflower seeds belong to Chapter 12 oil seeds, and heading 1206 explicitly lists them. Key judgments: 1) Whether used for oil extraction or planting; 2) Whether processed by roasting, seasoning, etc.; 3) Whether for direct consumption. If for direct consumption and processed, they should be classified in Chapter 20. Sowing sunflower seeds are still classified under 120600, but proof of sowing use must be provided. 120799 Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits: 120799 is for oil seeds not elsewhere specified; sunflower seeds are already specified in 1206, so they are not classified under 120799. 200819 Other prepared nuts and seeds: 200819 includes roasted, seasoned sunflower seeds for direct consumption; 120600 is for unprocessed or merely broken sunflower seeds. 120999 Other seeds, fruit and spores for sowing: 120999 is for other sowing seeds not elsewhere specified; sowing sunflower seeds should be classified under 120600 because 1206 explicitly lists them. 230630 Sunflower seed oil cake: 230630 is the residue after oil extraction; 120600 is the sunflower seed itself. Are they used for oil extraction or planting? Have they been roasted, seasoned, or otherwise processed? Are they for direct consumption? Are they broken? Are they for sowing?
Basis
Core basis for classification: Sunflower seeds belong to Chapter 12 oil seeds, and heading 1206 explicitly lists them. Key judgments: 1) Whether used for oil extraction or planting; 2) Whether processed by roasting, seasoning, etc.; 3) Whether for direct consumption. If for direct consumption and processed, they should be classified in Chapter 20. Sowing sunflower seeds are still classified under 120600, but proof of sowing use must be provided.
Confused Codes：
120799 - Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits
120799 is for oil seeds not elsewhere specified; sunflower seeds are already specified in 1206, so they are not classified under 120799.
200819 - Other prepared nuts and seeds
200819 includes roasted, seasoned sunflower seeds for direct consumption; 120600 is for unprocessed or merely broken sunflower seeds.
120999 - Other seeds, fruit and spores for sowing
120999 is for other sowing seeds not elsewhere specified; sowing sunflower seeds should be classified under 120600 because 1206 explicitly lists them.
230630 - Sunflower seed oil cake
230630 is the residue after oil extraction; 120600 is the sunflower seed itself.
Self-Check：
✓ Are they used for oil extraction or planting?
✓ Have they been roasted, seasoned, or otherwise processed?
✓ Are they for direct consumption?
✓ Are they broken?
✓ Are they for sowing?
❓ FAQ
What is the HS code for sunflower seeds? The HS code for sunflower seeds is 120600, including sunflower seeds for sowing, oil use, and other non-directly edible uses. If roasted, seasoned, or otherwise processed for direct consumption, they should be classified in Chapter 20, such as 200819. Are the codes for sowing sunflower seeds and oil-use sunflower seeds the same? Both are classified under 120600, but at the time of declaration it is necessary to indicate "for sowing" or "for oil use". Sowing sunflower seeds require relevant quarantine certificates, and import may involve different regulatory conditions. Are the codes for sunflower seed kernels and sunflower seeds the same? If sunflower seed kernels are not roasted, they are still classified under 120600; if processed for direct consumption, they are classified in Chapter 20. At the time of declaration, "whether broken" and "degree of processing" must be clearly stated. Which code should roasted sunflower seeds be classified under? Roasted sunflower seeds for direct consumption should be classified under 200819 (other prepared nuts and seeds), not 120600. Attention must be paid to the processing method when classifying. What declaration elements are required for imported sunflower seeds? It is necessary to declare product name, whether for sowing, whether broken, degree of processing, use, origin, brand, packaging specifications, etc. For details, refer to the customs standard declaration catalog. How to check the tariff rate for sunflower seeds? Tariff rates vary depending on the country of origin, trade agreements, etc. You can check the "Customs Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China" or query through the General Administration of Customs website or the single window. It is recommended to use the latest version. Do imported sunflower seeds require quarantine approval? Sowing sunflower seeds require entry animal and plant quarantine approval; oil-use sunflower seeds may need to meet quarantine requirements. For details, please consult customs or refer to the "List of Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Approvals". What is the code difference between sunflower seeds and sunflower seed oil cake? Sunflower seeds are classified under 120600, and sunflower seed oil cake is classified under 230630. The former is the seed itself, and the latter is a by-product after oil extraction. Classification should be determined based on the state of the goods.
Q: What is the HS code for sunflower seeds?
A: The HS code for sunflower seeds is 120600, including sunflower seeds for sowing, oil use, and other non-directly edible uses. If roasted, seasoned, or otherwise processed for direct consumption, they should be classified in Chapter 20, such as 200819.
Q: Are the codes for sowing sunflower seeds and oil-use sunflower seeds the same?
A: Both are classified under 120600, but at the time of declaration it is necessary to indicate "for sowing" or "for oil use". Sowing sunflower seeds require relevant quarantine certificates, and import may involve different regulatory conditions.
Q: Are the codes for sunflower seed kernels and sunflower seeds the same?
A: If sunflower seed kernels are not roasted, they are still classified under 120600; if processed for direct consumption, they are classified in Chapter 20. At the time of declaration, "whether broken" and "degree of processing" must be clearly stated.
Q: Which code should roasted sunflower seeds be classified under?
A: Roasted sunflower seeds for direct consumption should be classified under 200819 (other prepared nuts and seeds), not 120600. Attention must be paid to the processing method when classifying.
Q: What declaration elements are required for imported sunflower seeds?
A: It is necessary to declare product name, whether for sowing, whether broken, degree of processing, use, origin, brand, packaging specifications, etc. For details, refer to the customs standard declaration catalog.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for sunflower seeds?
A: Tariff rates vary depending on the country of origin, trade agreements, etc. You can check the "Customs Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China" or query through the General Administration of Customs website or the single window. It is recommended to use the latest version.
Q: Do imported sunflower seeds require quarantine approval?
A: Sowing sunflower seeds require entry animal and plant quarantine approval; oil-use sunflower seeds may need to meet quarantine requirements. For details, please consult customs or refer to the "List of Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Approvals".
Q: What is the code difference between sunflower seeds and sunflower seed oil cake?
A: Sunflower seeds are classified under 120600, and sunflower seed oil cake is classified under 230630. The former is the seed itself, and the latter is a by-product after oil extraction. Classification should be determined based on the state of the goods.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.