HS Code 1212.21 : Seaweeds and other algae, Fit for human consumption
MODULE 2: EXTRACTABLE ANSWER (AEO / SPEAKABLE)
Tariff data verified: July 2026
EN (Official WCO)
FR (Pending)
ES (Pending)
The 6-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for seaweeds and other algae, fit for human consumption is 1212.21. Under the 2026 United States (USITC HTS), the representative MFN general duty rate is Free [USITC HTS Tariff Schedule 2026].
MODULE 3: SIGNATURE A: HS DECODE VISUAL HIERARCHY
Chapter 12
Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety Cichorium intybus sativum) of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or included
Heading 1212
Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety Cichorium intybus sativum) of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or included
Subheading .21
.21
Seaweeds and other algae, Fit for human consumption
MODULE 4: SIGNATURE B: TARIFF MATRIX
Import Duty Rates by Destination
United StatesUnited KingdomEuropean UnionCanadaMexicoChinaJapanIndiaAustraliaSouth KoreaGermanyNetherlandsBrazilTürkiyeChinese TaipeiVietnamThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaSingaporeSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesSouth AfricaEgyptIsraelChileColombiaPeruPhilippinesPakistanNew ZealandNorwayNigeriaKenyaMoroccoArgentinaEcuadorBangladeshUkraineKazakhstanQatarKuwaitOmanJordanBahrainSri LankaTunisiaGhanaCôte d'IvoireGeorgiaCambodiaPanamaCosta RicaDominican Republic
United States (USITC HTS 2026)
1212.21.00.00
MODULE 5: US IMPORT DUTY & FEE BREAKDOWN (LANDED COST STACK)
Federal Import VAT / GST
0.00%
US Has NO Federal VAT
Notice: Duty rates and trade remedies change frequently (Section 301, Section 232, anti-dumping orders, de minimis thresholds). Duty calculations are estimates for informational purposes only. Always verify exact rates with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or a licensed customs broker prior to import.
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MODULE 6: Mandatory Customs Entry Document Matrix
Rule-Derived Customs Entry Package Checklist
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Commercial Invoice
Itemized description, currency, Incoterms, seller/buyer details, and country of origin.
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Packing List & Bill of Lading
Gross/net weight, container/seal numbers, piece count, and transport B/L or Air Waybill.
PREFERENTIAL RULE
Certificate of Origin (If Claiming FTA)
Required only when claiming zero-duty preference under USMCA, KORUS, or GSP.
MODULE 7: Regulatory Compliance & Partner Government Agency (PGA) Flags
Standard Entry
This commodity does not carry mandatory PGA pre-clearance flags under the ACE message set.
MODULE 8: Trade Remedies (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD)
China Section 301 Tariff Status
0% Additional Duty (Exempt)
Section 232 Steel/Aluminum Status
Exempt (Non-Metal Commodity)
EU CBAM Carbon Alert
Not in Scope
MODULE 9: Free Trade Agreements (FTA) & Rules of Origin (RoO)
Browse all preferential trade calculators & compliance tools in our Customs Tools Hub ↗.
| Agreement Code | Trade Agreement / Program | Preferential Rate | Rules of Origin (RoO) Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) | Free | Must meet USMCA Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff shift rules. |
| KR | U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) | Free | Direct shipment from South Korea with KORUS Certificate of Origin. |
| AU | U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement | Free | Wholly obtained or tariff shift rule under US-Australia FTA. |
| A / D | GSP / African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) | Free | 35% local value-add requirement for beneficiary country origin. |
MODULE 10: Logistics, Freight & Transport Specifications
Standard 20ft Container
~28 CBM / 28,000 kg Payload
Standard 40ft High-Cube
~68 CBM / 28,600 kg Payload
Stowage Factor & Handling
Standard commercial packaging for Seaweeds and other algae, Fit for human consumption
MODULE 11: Official CBP CROSS Binding Classification Rulings
No official CBP CROSS classification precedents indexed for subheading 121221 yet.
US National HTS Tariff Lines (1212.21)
| HTS Code | Description | General Rate | Special (FTA) Rate | Column 2 Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1212.21.00.00 | Seaweeds and other algae, Fit for human consumption | Free | Free | Free | kg |
US 10-Digit Statistical HTS Breakout (1212.21)
1 Declarable Lines · USITC 2026
⚠️ Section 301 (China) Additional Tariff Alert
Heading 9903.88.03
If imported from China, merchandise under this HTS line carries an additional Section 301 tariff (see HTS heading 9903.88.03). Applicable Section 301 rates depend on country of origin — verify exact rate and exemptions at hts.usitc.gov.
| 10-Digit HTS Code | Statistical Description | General MFN Rate | FTA / Special Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1212.21.00.00 | Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety Cichorium intybus sativum) of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or included: Seaweeds and other algae: Fit for human consumption | Free | Base MFN | kg |
MODULE 12: Candidate Subheadings & Related Codes
| Related HS Code | Heading Category | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1212.29 | Subheading under Heading 1212 | HS 1212.29 undefined Duty & Entry Rules → |
| 1212.91 | Subheading under Heading 1212 | HS 1212.91 undefined Duty & Entry Rules → |
| 1212.92 | Subheading under Heading 1212 | HS 1212.92 undefined Duty & Entry Rules → |
| 1212.93 | Subheading under Heading 1212 | HS 1212.93 undefined Duty & Entry Rules → |
MODULE 13: Industry Classification & Crosswalk Mesh (NAICS & Schedule B)
U.S. Census NAICS Code
U.S. Census Schedule B (Exports)
Official Primary Sources & Authority References
USITC HTS Chapter 12 Tariff Schedule (2026) ↗
Official U.S. 10-digit tariff lines and general duty rates for Seaweeds and other algae, Fit for human consumption.
CBP CROSS Ruling Database (1212.21) ↗
Binding customs classification precedents for Heading 1212.
MODULE 14: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Operational Guide
What is the 6-digit WCO tariff classification and United States (USITC HTS) general duty for Seaweeds and other algae, Fit for human consumption?
Under WCO Harmonized System 2022 and United States (USITC HTS), Seaweeds and other algae, Fit for human consumption is classified under HS 1212.21 (Heading 1212, Chapter 12). The representative US MFN general duty rate is Free.
How is HS 1212.21 distinguished within Heading 1212 (Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety Cichorium intybus sativum) of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or included)?
Heading 1212 covers Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety Cichorium intybus sativum) of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or included. Subheading 1212.21 specifically isolates Seaweeds and other algae, Fit for human consumption. Importers must verify whether physical characteristics, processing state, or composition require alternative subheadings under Heading 1212.
What are the primary candidate subheadings related to HS 1212.21?
Related subheadings under Heading 1212 include 1212.29, 1212.91, 1212.92, 1212.93, 1212.94, 1212.99. Classification depends on processing stage, decaffeination, purity, or material form.
What mandatory commercial entry documents are required to import Seaweeds and other algae, Fit for human consumption?
Commercial Invoice (detailing Incoterms, currency, and origin), Packing List, Bill of Lading (or Air Waybill), CBP Form 7501 Entry Summary, and a continuous customs bond are required for formal entries.
Can goods under HS 1212.21 enter duty-free under USMCA or Free Trade Agreements?
Yes. Eligible goods originating in Mexico, Canada, South Korea, or Australia enter duty-free under preference SPI codes (P, KR, AU) provided they satisfy Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff-shift rules with a valid Certificate of Origin.
What is the US formal entry threshold for shipments of Seaweeds and other algae, Fit for human consumption?
Commercial shipments of Seaweeds and other algae, Fit for human consumption with a customs value exceeding $2,500 USD require formal customs entry (CBP Form 7501) and a continuous entry bond. Informal entry applies to lower values.
How can an importer obtain a binding CBP classification ruling for HS 1212.21?
Importers may submit an e-Ruling request under 19 CFR Part 177 to CBP National Commodity Specialist Division (NCSD) to obtain a legally binding tariff classification ruling prior to importation.
What FDA Prior Notice requirements apply to commercial imports under HS 1212.21?
Under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act (21 CFR 1.276), FDA Prior Notice must be submitted electronically via ACE or FDA PNSI before arrival.
What U.S. Census NAICS industry code corresponds to HS 1212.21?
HS 1212.21 maps to NAICS code 114119 (Fishing) under official U.S. Census Bureau trade concordance tables.
Does the United States assess federal VAT or GST on imports of HS 1212.21?
No. The United States does NOT charge a federal Value-Added Tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST) on imports. Importers pay customs duty + MPF + HMF (if ocean freight).
How are Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) and Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) calculated?
MPF is assessed at 0.3464% of entered value (min $32.71, max $634.62 per entry). HMF is assessed at 0.125% on ocean freight shipments entering US ports.
What is the Section 321 de minimis duty-free threshold for HS 1212.21?
Under Section 321 (19 U.S.C. 1321), eligible shipments valued at $800 USD or less imported by one person on one day enter duty-free and tax-free.
What U.S. Customs bond requirements apply to commercial entries under HS 1212.21?
Formal entries with customs value exceeding $2,500 USD require a continuous customs entry bond (CBP Form 301) to guarantee payment of duties, taxes, and fees.
What Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) rules apply to ocean imports of HS 1212.21?
Ocean container shipments bound for US ports require electronic ISF 10+2 submission via ACE at least 24 hours before loading at foreign ports.
How do USMCA preference rules apply to commercial imports under HS 1212.21?
Qualifying originating goods from Canada or Mexico meeting USMCA tariff-shift or Regional Value Content (RVC) rules enter duty-free under SPI code 'P'.
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