Bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes; dormant, in growth or in flower; chicory plants and roots other than roots of heading no. 1212 (heading 0601): importing markets
HS 0601 covers bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes, dormant, in growth or in flower, plus chicory plants and roots. In 2025 Germany…
Published on 11 October 2026Updated on 11 October 2026
HS 0601 covers bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes, dormant, in growth or in flower, plus chicory plants and roots. In 2025 Germany (USD 226.6 million) and the United States (USD 222.3 million) were the largest importers in UN Comtrade data, ahead of China (USD 172.9 million). For an exporter from Spain, plant health paperwork depends on the destination.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 11 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0601
- Chapter
- 06 · Trees and other plants, live; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage
- Subheadings
- 2
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Germany | 226,645,417 |
| United States | 222,258,890 |
| China | 172,862,583 |
| Switzerland | 130,387,071 |
| United Kingdom | 124,276,233 |
| France | 112,418,928 |
| Italy | 105,621,520 |
| Netherlands | 103,982,146 |
| Poland | 82,680,536 |
| Canada | 80,900,849 |
| Japan | 53,005,390 |
| Belgium | 49,362,759 |
| Austria | 48,343,500 |
| Sweden | 45,510,437 |
| Mexico | 43,362,559 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 11 October 2026
What to know before exporting heading 0601 from Spain
The market table shows what each country imports from the whole world, not what it buys from Spain. It tells you where demand is large. It does not tell you how much of that demand Spanish suppliers already cover, or how much room is left.
Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Austria and Sweden are all in the top fifteen, and for a company exporting from Spain they are EU destinations. Shipments to them move inside the single market, so no customs duty applies. Live plants for planting can still be subject to plant health rules, including the plant passport. Whether a passport is required depends on the species and the end use.
The United States, China, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and Mexico are third-country markets. For live plant material, importing countries usually require a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporter's national plant protection service. Many also set their own conditions on species, growing medium and inspection. Those conditions are published by the destination country's plant protection authority and change from one market to another.
The duty rate depends on the subheading, since the heading has two, and on whether an agreement between the EU and the destination applies. A preferential rate normally requires meeting the rules of origin and providing the right proof. Look up the exact code and destination in Access2Markets, which shows duties, rules of origin and product requirements for EU exporters.
Some bulb species are protected under CITES and need specific permits to cross borders. Check the species you ship against the CITES lists before quoting a destination.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 11 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
Which countries import the most under HS 0601?
In 2025 the largest importers in UN Comtrade data were Germany, the United States and China, followed by Switzerland, the United Kingdom and France. The figures are imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay, so the latest consolidated year can change as late reports arrive.
Do I need a phytosanitary certificate to export bulbs from Spain?
For most non-EU destinations, live plants and bulbs for planting need a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Spanish plant protection authorities. Each importing country sets its own additional conditions. Inside the EU, the requirement is usually a plant passport instead, and whether it applies depends on the species and its intended use.
Do I pay import duties when shipping bulbs from Spain to Germany or France?
No customs duty applies to goods moving between EU member states. What can still apply is plant health control, such as the plant passport. Duties only matter for non-EU destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom or Switzerland.
How do I find the duty rate for a non-EU destination?
The rate depends on the subheading and on any agreement between the EU and the destination. Enter the exact code and the destination country in Access2Markets, which lists the applicable duty, the rules of origin and the product requirements. Use the six-digit subheading, not just the four-digit heading.
Are all bulbs free to trade internationally?
No. Some bulb species are listed under CITES and need permits to be exported or imported. Check the species you plan to ship against the CITES lists before agreeing on a destination or a delivery date.
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