Subheading · Chapter 12 · Heading 1212

1212.21

1212.21: Fit for human consumption

1212.21 is a six-digit subheading of heading 1212, locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh…, chapter 12.

What you pay

Importing into UK

Customs duty Free standard rate depends on the country of origin
Additional duties and charges 1 additional measure Import requirements: 3
VAT 0.00 % import VAT
Duty calculatorCalculate duty and taxes →

Rates by national line · UK Global Tariff

UK lines →
  1. 1212 21 00 00 Fit for human consumption Free

Additional duties and import rules

Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.

Additional duties and charges 1

  • Additional dutyAdditional duties 35%
    Applies to goods from
    Belarus, Russia
    Legal act
    2022 No. 376
    Documents
    • 9008

Import requirements 3

  • Prohibition or restrictionImport prohibition
    Applies to goods from
    North Korea
    Legal act
    S.I. 2019/411
  • Import controlRestriction on entry into free circulation
    Applies to goods from
    Ukraine
    Legal act
    S.I. 2022/395
    Documents
    • 9009
    • 9010
    • 9017
  • Import controlImport control of organic products
    Applies to goods from
    all countries except Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia
    Legal act
    S.I. 2019/693
    Documents
    • C644 Certificate of inspection for organic products
    • Y929 Goods not concerned by Regulation (EU) 2018/848 (organic products)

Preferential rates by country

Agreement or schemeCountriesRate
standard rate (no agreement)—Free
DCTS Comprehensive
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin and 38 more

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Kinshasa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia

Free
European Union (including code " EU")
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia and 23 more

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Free
DCTS Enhanced
Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville and 13 more

Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, Kyrgyzstan, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu

Free
CARIFORUM
Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and 10 more

Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago

Free
OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories)
Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands and 7 more

Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Turks & Caicos Islands

Free
Central America Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama Free
SADC EPA Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia Free
CPTPP Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia Free
Eastern and Southern Africa States Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe Free
UK–Albania agreement Albania Free
UK–Australia agreement Australia Free
UK–Canada agreement Canada Free
UK–Switzerland agreement Switzerland Free
UK–Côte d’Ivoire agreement Côte d’Ivoire Free
UK–Cameroon agreement Cameroon Free
UK–Colombia agreement Colombia Free
UK–Ceuta & Melilla agreement Ceuta & Melilla Free
UK–Ecuador agreement Ecuador Free
UK–Egypt agreement Egypt Free
UK–Fiji agreement Fiji Free
UK–Faroe Islands agreement Faroe Islands Free
UK–Georgia agreement Georgia Free
UK–Ghana agreement Ghana Free
DCTS Standard Indonesia Free
UK–Israel agreement Israel Free
UK–India agreement India Free
UK–Iceland agreement Iceland Free
UK–Jordan agreement Jordan Free
UK–Kenya agreement Kenya Free
UK–South Korea agreement South Korea Free
UK–Lebanon agreement Lebanon Free
UK–Liechtenstein agreement Liechtenstein Free
UK–Morocco agreement Morocco Free
UK–Moldova agreement Moldova Free
UK–North Macedonia agreement North Macedonia Free
UK–Mexico agreement Mexico Free
UK–Norway agreement Norway Free
UK–New Zealand agreement New Zealand Free
UK–Peru agreement Peru Free
UK–Papua New Guinea agreement Papua New Guinea Free
UK–Palestinian Territories agreement Palestinian Territories Free
UK–Serbia agreement Serbia Free
UK–Solomon Islands agreement Solomon Islands Free
UK–Singapore agreement Singapore Free
UK–San Marino agreement San Marino Free
UK–Türkiye agreement Türkiye Free
UK–Ukraine agreement Ukraine Free
UK–Vietnam agreement Vietnam Free
UK–Samoa agreement Samoa Free
UK–Kosovo agreement Kosovo Free
UK–South Africa agreement South Africa Free

UK: imports by month

last 12 months£11m+6.6% · previous 12 months
Average import price£2.61 per kg
Jan 2024: £677kFeb 2024: £786kMar 2024: £810kApr 2024: £1mMay 2024: £944kJun 2024: £737kJul 2024: £656kAug 2024: £787kSept 2024: £859kOct 2024: £1.1mNov 2024: £1.2mDec 2024: £757kJan 2025: £774kFeb 2025: £1mMar 2025: £924kApr 2025: £677kMay 2025: £846kJun 2025: £383kJul 2025: £1mAug 2025: £729kSept 2025: £746kOct 2025: £1.3mNov 2025: £994kDec 2025: £880kJan 2026: £1mFeb 2026: £969kMar 2026: £673kApr 2026: £897kMay 2026: £687kJun 2026: £981kJul 2026: £1.3mAug 2026: £628k 202420252026
Data up to August 2026 (provisional) · Monthly data: Eurostat Comext (CC BY 4.0), HMRC (OGL v3.0)

Main suppliers, last 12 months

CountryValueShareChange
China £5m 45.1% +39.2%
South Korea £1.8m 16.8% -28.5%
United States £970k 8.8% +149.9%
Philippines £803k 7.3% +87.6%
Iceland £520k 4.7% -10.8%
Japan £422k 3.8% -35%
Ireland £257k 2.3% -15.7%
Taiwan £185k 1.7% -64.5%

Same subheading in other tariffs

World trade in 2024

1212.21 · US$1bn

Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$98kUS$98k+US$2m+US$7m+> US$24m

Exports: 127
  1. South Korea: US$497m
  2. China: US$283m
  3. Indonesia: US$184m
  4. Japan: US$24m
  5. Philippines: US$19m
  6. Canada: US$12m
  7. United Kingdom: US$10m
  8. Chile: US$10m
  9. Denmark: US$9m
  10. Netherlands: US$9m
  11. Germany: US$7m
  12. United States: US$7m
  13. Thailand: US$5m
  14. France: US$5m
  15. Tanzania: US$4m
  16. Spain: US$4m
  17. Iceland: US$3m
  18. Ireland: US$3m
  19. Taiwan: US$3m
  20. Israel: US$3m
  21. Poland: US$3m
  22. Malaysia: US$3m
  23. Lithuania: US$2m
  24. Vietnam: US$2m
  25. India: US$2m
  26. South Africa: US$2m
  27. Morocco: US$2m
  28. Australia: US$2m
  29. Austria: US$2m
  30. Russia: US$2m
  31. Kazakhstan: US$1m
  32. St Lucia: US$1m
  33. Belgium: US$1m
  34. Peru: US$1m
  35. Portugal: US$1m
  36. Czechia: US$1m
  37. Italy: US$1m
  38. Madagascar: US$983k
  39. Ecuador: US$819k
  40. Singapore: US$778k
  41. Brazil: US$763k
  42. Sweden: US$701k
  43. Bulgaria: US$642k
  44. Latvia: US$496k
  45. Argentina: US$354k
  46. Cyprus: US$331k
  47. New Zealand: US$287k
  48. Luxembourg: US$286k
  49. Norway: US$285k
  50. Hong Kong SAR China: US$280k
  51. Venezuela: US$277k
  52. Mexico: US$252k
  53. Saudi Arabia: US$197k
  54. Türkiye: US$184k
  55. Slovakia: US$181k
  56. Slovenia: US$161k
  57. Finland: US$150k
  58. Estonia: US$136k
  59. Romania: US$98k
  60. Hungary: US$81k

Top exporters

RankCountryValueShare
1 South Korea US$497m 43.6%
2 China US$283m 24.8%
3 Indonesia US$184m 16.2%
4 Japan US$24m 2.1%
5 Philippines US$19m 1.7%
6 Canada US$12m 1%
7 United Kingdom US$10m 0.9%
8 Chile US$10m 0.8%
9 Denmark US$9m 0.8%
10 Netherlands US$9m 0.8%

Top importers

RankCountryValueShare
1 Japan US$287m 25.2%
2 China US$227m 19.9%
3 Thailand US$96m 8.4%
4 Russia US$75m 6.6%
5 United States US$69m 6%
6 Taiwan US$62m 5.5%
7 Indonesia US$28m 2.5%
8 Australia US$28m 2.4%
9 Brazil US$24m 2.1%
10 South Korea US$24m 2.1%

Import duty on this product around the world 161

The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty each country applies to goods of this HS subheading: the average over its national tariff lines, with the lowest and highest line where they differ. Goods from countries with a trade agreement often pay less.

  • 5%median duty
  • 42number of duty-free countries (MFN)
  • 35%highest: Bahamas, Algeria, India

161

Importing countryMFN dutylines from – todata year
Afghanistan 2.5% 2018 · HS 2012
Albania 10% 2023
Algeria 30% 2023
Angola 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Anguilla 0% 2021 · HS 2017
Argentina 6% 2023 · HS 2017
Armenia 3% 2023
Aruba 6% 2021 · HS 2012
Australia 2.5% 0% – 5% 2023
Azerbaijan 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Bahamas 35% 2022
Bahrain 5% 2023
Bangladesh 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Barbados 5% 2022 · HS 2017
Belarus 3% 2021 · HS 2017
Belize 5% 2023
Benin 5% 2023
Bermuda 5% 2023
Bhutan 10% 2022
Bolivia 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Bosnia & Herzegovina 0% 2022
Botswana 2.5% 0% – 5% 2023
Brazil 6% 2023 · HS 2017
Brunei 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Burkina Faso 5% 2023
Burundi 10% 2023
Cambodia 15% 2023 · HS 2017
Cameroon 10% 2023
Canada 0% 2023
Cape Verde 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Central African Republic 10% 2023
Chad 10% 2023
Chile 6% 2023 · HS 2017
China 16% 15% – 20% 2023
Colombia 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Comoros 20% 2021 · HS 2017
Congo - Brazzaville 10% 2023
Cook Islands 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Costa Rica 0% 2023
Côte d’Ivoire 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Cuba 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Dominica 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Dominican Republic 0% 2023
Ecuador 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Egypt 2% 2019 · HS 2017
El Salvador 0% 2022
Equatorial Guinea 10% 2023
Eswatini 2.5% 0% – 5% 2023
Ethiopia 20% 2021 · HS 2017
European Union (27 countries) 0% 2023
Fiji 5% 2023
French Polynesia 10% 2023
Gabon 10% 2023
Gambia 5% 2023
Georgia 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Ghana 5% 2023
Gibraltar 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Grenada 5% 2023 · HS 2012
Guatemala 0% 2023
Guinea 5% 2023
Guinea-Bissau 5% 2023
Guyana 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Haiti 5% 2020 · HS 2017
Honduras 0% 2023
Hong Kong SAR China 0% 2023
Iceland 0% 2023
India 30% 2023
Indonesia 5% 2023
Iran 20% 2020 · HS 2017
Israel 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Jamaica 0% 2023
Japan 16% 11% – 40% 2023
Jordan 5% 2023
Kazakhstan 3% 2023
Kenya 10% 2023
Kuwait 5% 2023
Kyrgyzstan 3% 2021 · HS 2017
Laos 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Lebanon 5% 2020 · HS 2017
Lesotho 2.5% 0% – 5% 2023
Liberia 5% 2023
Libya 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Liechtenstein 0% 2021 · HS 2017
Macao SAR China 0% 2023
Madagascar 10% 2023
Malawi 10% 2021 · HS 2017
Malaysia 0% 2023
Maldives 0% 2023
Mali 5% 2023
Mauritania 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Mauritius 0% 2023
Mexico 10% 0% – 20% 2023 · HS 2017
Micronesia 3% 2021 · HS 2017
Moldova 20% 2023 · HS 2017
Mongolia 5% 2023
Montserrat 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Morocco 2.5% 2023
Mozambique 2.5% 2023
Myanmar (Burma) 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Namibia 2.5% 0% – 5% 2023
Nauru 10% 2021 · HS 2017
Nepal 10% 2023
New Zealand 0% 2023
Nicaragua 0% 2023
Niger 5% 2023
Nigeria 5% 2023
North Macedonia 0% 2023
Norway 0% 2023
Oman 5% 2023
Pakistan 3% 2023
Palau 0% 2023 · HS 2012
Palestinian Territories 0% 2017 · HS 2017
Panama 0% 2023
Papua New Guinea 0% 2023
Paraguay 6% 2023 · HS 2017
Peru 6% 2023 · HS 2017
Philippines 10% 2023
Qatar 5% 2023
Russia 3% 2021 · HS 2017
Rwanda 10% 2023
Samoa 8% 2020 · HS 2017
São Tomé & Príncipe 10% 2019 · HS 2017
Saudi Arabia 5% 2023
Senegal 5% 2023
Seychelles 0% 2023
Sierra Leone 5% 2023
Singapore 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Solomon Islands 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Somalia 10% 2023 · HS 2017
South Africa 2.5% 0% – 5% 2023
South Korea 28% 10% – 45% 2023
Sri Lanka 20% 2023
St Kitts & Nevis 0% 2023
St Lucia 5% 2023 · HS 2012
St Pierre & Miquelon 0% 2021 · HS 2017
St Vincent & the Grenadines 5% 2023
Sudan 25% 2021 · HS 2017
Switzerland 0% 2023
Syria 5% 2020 · HS 2012
Tajikistan 5% 2021 · HS 2012
Tanzania 10% 2023
Thailand 5% 2023
Togo 5% 2023
Tonga 15% 2023 · HS 2017
Trinidad & Tobago 0% 2023 · HS 2012
Türkiye 0% 2023
Tuvalu 0% 2017 · HS 2017
Uganda 10% 2023
Ukraine 15% 2023 · HS 2017
United Arab Emirates 5% 2023
United Kingdom 0% 2023
United States 0% 2023
Uruguay 6% 2023 · HS 2017
Uzbekistan 0% 2021 · HS 2017
Vanuatu 5% 2023
Venezuela 6% 2023 · HS 2017
Vietnam 10% 2023
Wallis & Futuna 4% 2021 · HS 2012
Yemen 5% 2017 · HS 2017
Zambia 15% 2023
Zimbabwe 0.1% 2023

Tariff data years 2017–2023; rates may have changed since. · UNCTAD TRAINS, accessed via WITS (World Bank)

Classifications and correspondences

Where this HS subheading sits in the United Nations' statistical classifications, and which codes it had in earlier editions of the Harmonized System.

SITC Rev. 4
29297 Seaweeds & other algae
End use (BEC Rev. 5)
Intermediate goods · BEC 1111
CPC 2.1 product
04931 Wild seaweeds and other algae, fresh, frozen or dried, whether or not ground, fit for human consumption
04932 Farmed seaweeds and other algae, fresh, frozen or dried, whether or not ground, fit for human consumption
ISIC Rev. 4 activity
0311 Marine fishing
0312 Freshwater fishing
0321 Marine aquaculture
0322 Freshwater aquaculture

Earlier HS editions

HSCode
20171212.21unchanged
20121212.21unchanged
20071212.20changed
20021212.20changed
19961212.20changed
19921212.20, 2008.99changed

Correspondence tables of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)

Binding rulings for similar goods 5

Decisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CROSS) and HMRC (Advance Tariff Rulings) on goods classified here. A ruling binds only its holder, but shows how the authorities classify similar goods. The descriptions are the authorities’ own, in English.

  • H312097 U.S. CBP 14 June 2021 · 1212.21.00.00

    Application for Further Review of Protest No. 1001-19-100242; Classification of Calcified Seaweed Powders

  • H272093 U.S. CBP 7 November 2017 · 1212.21.00.00

    Internal Advice Request; Classification of Dried (Roasted) Seaweed, Thai Jasmine Rice, and Rice Cakes; US – Korea Free Trade Agreement.

  • 600016700 HMRC 15 September 2026 – 14 September 2029 · 1212 21 00 00

    A frozen seaweed dish intended for use as a side dish, an appetiser, or an ingredient in commercially prepared foods, and Sushi dishes. Once defrosted, it is ready for consumption. The seaweed is mixed with black fungus, sesame seed, and chilli pepper. It is made by harvesting farmed seaweed,…

  • 600012888 HMRC 12 May 2025 – 11 May 2028 · 1212 21 00 00

    Frozen seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) The ingredients are: Seaweed (wakame), Black fungus, Agar-agar, Sesame oil, Sesame seeds, Chili, Rice Vinegar, Salt, high Fructose Corn Syrup, Mirin, Sugar, Flavour enhancer E621, Hydrolyzed, Vegetable Protein, Colouring E133 & Colouring E102. It is packed in…

  • 600009799 HMRC 8 February 2024 – 7 February 2027 · 1212 21 00 00

    Product is 100% natural dried seaweed for human consumption, used as a raw material for making sushi. The seaweed is washed and dried at 160-350°C for approximately 5 seconds, it is then cooled and packaged in plastic bags. Available in various quantities.

Subheading 1212.21 is a single line in the UK Global Tariff, where the duty is duty-free.

The EU Combined Nomenclature has one tariff line for subheading 1212.21; the duty is duty-free.

Goods from 172 countries can enter the UK at a preferential rate instead of the standard Free; 172 of them pay no duty at all, for example under DCTS Comprehensive or European Union.

In the UK, additional duty of 35% applies on top of the customs duty to goods from Belarus and Russia.

In the 12 months to August 2026, the UK imported these goods worth £11m (up 7% on the year before), at an average of £2.61 per kg; China supplied 45%, followed by South Korea.

World trade in these goods reached US$1bn in 2024, up 6.5% on 2023.

South Korea was the largest exporter with 43.6% of the total, ahead of China.

Products classified here

Questions and answers

What is the HS code for fit for human consumption?

Fit for human consumption fall under HS subheading 1212.21, part of heading 1212, in section II of the Harmonized System.

What is the import duty on fit for human consumption in the UK?

Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 1212.21 from countries without a preferential agreement are free of duty. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

What is the import duty on fit for human consumption in the EU?

Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 1212.21 from countries without a preferential agreement are free of duty. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

Which country exports the most fit for human consumption?

South Korea, with US$497m in 2024 (43.6% of world exports).

Which countries can export these goods to the UK duty-free?

172 countries pay no duty under a trade agreement or preference scheme, among them partners under DCTS Comprehensive, European Union, DCTS Enhanced. The goods must meet the agreement’s rules of origin and the importer needs proof of origin; otherwise the standard rate of Free applies. Pick a country above to see its rate.

Is there anti-dumping duty on these goods?

The UK charges additional duty of 35% on goods from Belarus and Russia. Lower rates apply to the named exporters listed in the measure.

Where does the UK import these goods from?

In the 12 months to August 2026, the largest suppliers were China (45%), South Korea (17%) and United States (9%), out of total imports of £11m.

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Typical products

Everyday names, not part of the legal text.