Seeds, fruit and spores; of a kind used for sowing
HS heading 12.09 covers Seeds, fruit and spores; of a kind used for sowing. Within Chapter 12 it splits into 10 six-digit subheadings spanning seed to seeds, each carrying its own customs duty line.
- India exports 2024
- $150.6M
- Share of Chapter 12
- 7%
- Rank in its chapter
- #4 of 14
Source: UN Comtrade — India's reported merchandise exports to the world, 2024.
Sourcing this category from India
HS 12.09 covers Seeds, fruit and spores; of a kind used for sowing. At the six-digit line it separates seed, seeds of forage plants and seeds of herbaceous plants, among others — each a distinct duty line shown below. India is a major supplier of guar gum seed, sesame, groundnut and a broad range of medicinal and aromatic plants. India exported $150.6M under this code worldwide in 2024, about 7% of all Chapter 12 exports, ranking #4 of 14 lines in its chapter (UN Comtrade).
How to read this code
12.09 is the four-digit HS heading for seeds, fruit and spores. To clear customs your destination country extends it to a full 8–10 digit code and assigns the duty rate. India's preferential trade agreements (UAE CEPA, Australia ECTA, and others) can reduce or zero out that duty on many vegetable products lines — check our import guides for your market.
Subheadings under HS 12.09
The Harmonised System breaks Seeds, fruit and spores; of a kind used for sowing into these 10 subheadings. Drill down to the exact classification for your goods.
Seed; sugar beet seeds, of a kind used for sowing
Seeds of forage plants; lucerne (alfalfa) seeds, of a kind used for sowing
Seeds of forage plants; clover (Trifolium spp.) seeds, of a kind used for sowing
Seeds of forage plants; fescue seeds, of a kind used for sowing
Seeds of forage plants; Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis L.) seeds, of a kind used for sowing
Seeds of forage plants; rye grass (Lolium multiflorum Lam., Lolium perenne L.) seeds, of a kind used for sowing
Seeds of forage plants; other than lucerne, clover, fescue, Kentucky blue grass, and rye grass seeds, of a kind used for sowing
Seeds of herbaceous plants; cultivated principally for their flowers, of a kind used for sowing
Seeds; vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowing
Seeds; n.e.c. in heading 1209, of a kind used for sowing
Top destinations for Chapter 12 exports
India's largest buyers of goods in this HS chapter in 2024, ranked by export value.
Chapter-level destination mix — your specific HS line may skew differently. Source: UN Comtrade, 2024.
More codes in Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit, industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder
Jump to the other headings classified under 12 — hover a code for its description.
Working out import duty for HS 12.09 into your market? See full duty context and India-vs-rivals comparisons in our India comparison guides and export resource hub.
Indian exporters in this category
Established export houses with relevant HS focus. Listings are compiled from public records — run your own due diligence.
Browse the full exporter directory →Source goods under HS 12.09 directly from India.
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