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, including oil crops such as soybeans, peanuts, sesame, and rapeseed, as well as plant products such as hops and ginseng. As an important oil crop, sesame is typical of the classification in this chapter. Heading 1207 covers other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, including sesame, mustard seeds, safflower seeds, cotton seeds, etc. These seeds are mainly used for oil extraction or food, and are distinguished from soybeans, peanuts, flax seeds, etc. under 1201-1206. Sesame is specifically listed under this heading, reflecting its importance in international trade. Code 120740 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits 12 represent Chapter 12 oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; digits 3-4 07 represent heading 1207 other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; digits 5-6 40 represent subheading 1207.40 sesame. Among them, 40 is the specific subheading number for sesame, distinguished from 1207.10 palm nuts, 1207.20 cotton seeds, 1207.30 castor seeds, etc. This code applies to sesame seeds, whether or not shelled, not roasted or cooked. Sesame is classified under 1207 rather than 1208 (flours and meals of oil seeds) or 2008 (prepared nuts), because it is a whole seed and has not undergone deep processing. If sesame has been roasted or seasoned, it should be classified under 2008; if ground into powder, it should be classified under 1208. 1207.40 specifically refers to sesame, whether white sesame, black sesame, or other varieties.
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, including oil crops such as soybeans, peanuts, sesame, and rapeseed, as well as plant products such as hops and ginseng. As an important oil crop, sesame is typical of the classification in this chapter.
Heading
Heading 1207 covers other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, including sesame, mustard seeds, safflower seeds, cotton seeds, etc. These seeds are mainly used for oil extraction or food, and are distinguished from soybeans, peanuts, flax seeds, etc. under 1201-1206. Sesame is specifically listed under this heading, reflecting its importance in international trade.
Digit Breakdown
Code 120740 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits 12 represent Chapter 12 oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; digits 3-4 07 represent heading 1207 other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; digits 5-6 40 represent subheading 1207.40 sesame. Among them, 40 is the specific subheading number for sesame, distinguished from 1207.10 palm nuts, 1207.20 cotton seeds, 1207.30 castor seeds, etc. This code applies to sesame seeds, whether or not shelled, not roasted or cooked.
Classification Basis
Sesame is classified under 1207 rather than 1208 (flours and meals of oil seeds) or 2008 (prepared nuts), because it is a whole seed and has not undergone deep processing. If sesame has been roasted or seasoned, it should be classified under 2008; if ground into powder, it should be classified under 1208. 1207.40 specifically refers to sesame, whether white sesame, black sesame, or other varieties.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Declare the product name, which should specifically be sesame, and indicate the color variety such as white sesame or black sesame. Whether shelled: State whether the sesame has been shelled, unshelled or shelled. Whether roasted: Confirm whether the sesame has been roasted or cooked; unroasted sesame is classified under 1207. Use: State the use of the sesame, such as oil extraction, food, planting, etc. Brand type: Fill in the brand type, such as no brand, domestic brand, or foreign brand. Packaging specifications: State the packaging method and specifications, such as bagged, 50 kg per bag. Country of origin: Fill in the country of origin of the sesame, such as Ethiopia, Sudan, etc. Ingredient content: Declare the purity or impurity content of the sesame, such as 99% purity. Product name: White sesame; Whether shelled: Unshelled; Whether roasted: Unroasted; Use: For oil extraction; Brand type: No brand; Packaging specifications: Bagged, 50 kg per bag; Country of origin: Ethiopia; Ingredient content: 99.5% purity. Failure to distinguish whether sesame is roasted, leading to mistaken classification under 2008. Ignoring the difference between shelled and unshelled, affecting tariff treatment. False declaration of use, such as declaring oil extraction use as food use.
Product name
Declare the product name, which should specifically be sesame, and indicate the color variety such as white sesame or black sesame.
⚠️ Writing only "sesame" without indicating color, or mistakenly writing "sesame seed".
Whether shelled
State whether the sesame has been shelled, unshelled or shelled.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring shelled sesame as unshelled, affecting classification.
Whether roasted
Confirm whether the sesame has been roasted or cooked; unroasted sesame is classified under 1207.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring cooked sesame as raw sesame, leading to incorrect classification.
Use
State the use of the sesame, such as oil extraction, food, planting, etc.
⚠️ Vague description of use, such as writing only "food".
Brand type
Fill in the brand type, such as no brand, domestic brand, or foreign brand.
⚠️ Omitting the brand type or filling it in improperly.
Packaging specifications
State the packaging method and specifications, such as bagged, 50 kg per bag.
⚠️ Unclear description of packaging specifications, such as writing only "bagged".
Country of origin
Fill in the country of origin of the sesame, such as Ethiopia, Sudan, etc.
⚠️ Confusing the country of origin with the country of shipment.
Ingredient content
Declare the purity or impurity content of the sesame, such as 99% purity.
⚠️ Failure to provide purity information, or failure to declare excessive impurity content.
Example： Product name: White sesame; Whether shelled: Unshelled; Whether roasted: Unroasted; Use: For oil extraction; Brand type: No brand; Packaging specifications: Bagged, 50 kg per bag; Country of origin: Ethiopia; Ingredient content: 99.5% purity.
Common Mistakes：
Failure to distinguish whether sesame is roasted, leading to mistaken classification under 2008.
Ignoring the difference between shelled and unshelled, affecting tariff treatment.
False declaration of use, such as declaring oil extraction use as food use.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the physical state and processing method of the sesame. According to HS rules, Chapter 12 covers unroasted oil seeds, and sesame is classified under 1207.40 whether or not shelled. If roasted, seasoned, or deeply processed, it may be classified under Chapter 20. At the same time, attention must be paid to the difference from 1208 (flours and meals of oil seeds); sesame powder should be classified under 1208. 120799 Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits: 120799 is a residual subheading covering other oil seeds not elsewhere specified. Sesame is specifically named under 120740, so it is not classified under 120799. 120890 Other flours and meals of oil seeds or oleaginous fruits: 120890 covers flours and meals of oil seeds; ground sesame should be classified under this code, not 120740. 200819 Other prepared nuts and seeds: 200819 covers nuts and seeds that have been roasted, seasoned, or preserved; roasted sesame should be classified under this code. 120600 Sunflower seeds: 120600 is sunflower seeds, in the same chapter as sesame but under a different heading, distinguished by variety. Is the sesame unroasted? Is it not ground into powder? Is it used for oil extraction or food? Is it shelled? Is the country of origin accurate?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the physical state and processing method of the sesame. According to HS rules, Chapter 12 covers unroasted oil seeds, and sesame is classified under 1207.40 whether or not shelled. If roasted, seasoned, or deeply processed, it may be classified under Chapter 20. At the same time, attention must be paid to the difference from 1208 (flours and meals of oil seeds); sesame powder should be classified under 1208.
Confused Codes：
120799 - Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits
120799 is a residual subheading covering other oil seeds not elsewhere specified. Sesame is specifically named under 120740, so it is not classified under 120799.
120890 - Other flours and meals of oil seeds or oleaginous fruits
120890 covers flours and meals of oil seeds; ground sesame should be classified under this code, not 120740.
200819 - Other prepared nuts and seeds
200819 covers nuts and seeds that have been roasted, seasoned, or preserved; roasted sesame should be classified under this code.
120600 - Sunflower seeds
120600 is sunflower seeds, in the same chapter as sesame but under a different heading, distinguished by variety.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the sesame unroasted?
✓ Is it not ground into powder?
✓ Is it used for oil extraction or food?
✓ Is it shelled?
✓ Is the country of origin accurate?
❓ FAQ
What is the HS code for sesame? The HS code for sesame is 120740, applicable to unroasted sesame, whether or not shelled. If the sesame has been roasted or ground into powder, the code is different. Are the HS codes for black sesame and white sesame the same? Yes, both black sesame and white sesame are classified under 120740, because HS codes are distinguished by variety, not color. Are the codes for shelled and unshelled sesame the same? Yes, both are classified under 120740. However, whether shelled must be indicated at declaration to meet customs requirements. Which code should roasted sesame be classified under? Roasted sesame should be classified under 200819, as a prepared nut and seed product, not 120740. What is the HS code for sesame powder? Sesame powder should be classified under 120890, as flour and meal of oil seeds. What elements are required for sesame import declaration? It is necessary to declare the product name, whether shelled, whether roasted, use, brand type, packaging specifications, country of origin, ingredient content, etc. How can I check the import tariff rate for sesame? You can check through the General Administration of Customs website or the CCPIT by entering HS code 120740 and the country of origin to obtain the latest tariff rate. What is the difference between classifying sesame under 1207 and 1208? 1207 is for whole seeds, and 1208 is for seed flour; the difference lies in whether it has been ground into powder.
Q: What is the HS code for sesame?
A: The HS code for sesame is 120740, applicable to unroasted sesame, whether or not shelled. If the sesame has been roasted or ground into powder, the code is different.
Q: Are the HS codes for black sesame and white sesame the same?
A: Yes, both black sesame and white sesame are classified under 120740, because HS codes are distinguished by variety, not color.
Q: Are the codes for shelled and unshelled sesame the same?
A: Yes, both are classified under 120740. However, whether shelled must be indicated at declaration to meet customs requirements.
Q: Which code should roasted sesame be classified under?
A: Roasted sesame should be classified under 200819, as a prepared nut and seed product, not 120740.
Q: What is the HS code for sesame powder?
A: Sesame powder should be classified under 120890, as flour and meal of oil seeds.
Q: What elements are required for sesame import declaration?
A: It is necessary to declare the product name, whether shelled, whether roasted, use, brand type, packaging specifications, country of origin, ingredient content, etc.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for sesame?
A: You can check through the General Administration of Customs website or the CCPIT by entering HS code 120740 and the country of origin to obtain the latest tariff rate.
Q: What is the difference between classifying sesame under 1207 and 1208?
A: 1207 is for whole seeds, and 1208 is for seed flour; the difference lies in whether it has been ground into powder.
⚠️ 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.