Sunflower seeds; whether or not broken (heading 1206): importing markets
HS heading 1206 covers sunflower seeds, whether or not broken. In 2025 Türkiye was the largest importer reported to UN Comtrade, at about USD 886…
Published on 1 November 2026Updated on 1 November 2026
HS heading 1206 covers sunflower seeds, whether or not broken. In 2025 Türkiye was the largest importer reported to UN Comtrade, at about USD 886 million, followed by Romania and Bulgaria at about USD 320 million each. For a company exporting from Spain, whether the buyer is inside or outside the EU decides the paperwork and the duties.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 1 November 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 1206
- Chapter
- 12 · Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit, industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder
- Subheadings
- 1
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Türkiye | 886,068,250 |
| Romania | 322,469,689 |
| Bulgaria | 320,762,693 |
| Spain | 290,762,280 |
| Germany | 282,827,924 |
| France | 255,028,677 |
| Hungary | 245,494,150 |
| Ukraine | 215,815,170 |
| Netherlands | 180,717,378 |
| Czechia | 144,210,851 |
| Kazakhstan | 138,917,782 |
| United States | 127,978,712 |
| Italy | 122,118,043 |
| Austria | 122,068,002 |
| China | 99,367,696 |
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 1 November 2026
What to know before exporting sunflower seeds from Spain
Heading 1206 belongs to chapter 12 of the Harmonized System and has a single subheading at six digits. Customs tariffs usually split it further at eight or ten digits, for example by intended use. The tariff line that applies to your shipment determines the duty and the documents, so classify the goods before quoting.
The table shows imports declared by each country from the world, not Spanish exports. Ten of the fifteen importers listed for 2025 are EU member states. Five are outside the EU: Türkiye, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, the United States and China. Spain itself appears as an importer, so it is not a destination for a Spanish exporter.
For a company exporting from Spain, a sale to another EU country is intra-EU trade. No customs duty applies and no export customs declaration is needed. The sale is reported through VAT and Intrastat obligations instead. A sale to Türkiye, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, the United States or China is an export to a third country. It requires an export declaration and is subject to the destination's import rules.
The duty in a third country depends on the tariff line and on any agreement between that country and the EU. You can check it for each destination in Access2Markets, the European Commission's tool for tariffs, rules of origin and product requirements. Do the check per market, because the same product can face very different conditions in each one.
Sanitary and plant health requirements for seeds also vary by destination and by intended use, such as sowing, food or feed. Before agreeing a contract, confirm with the importer which documents the destination's authority requires. Then check them against the official sources for that country.
Large volumes in a market show that demand exists, not that access is easy. Compare the top importers by the conditions you can meet: whether you ship inside or outside the EU, the paperwork involved and the delivery terms the buyer expects.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 1 November 2026
Frequently asked questions
Which countries import the most sunflower seeds under HS 1206?
In 2025, according to UN Comtrade, the largest importer was Türkiye, at about USD 886 million. Romania and Bulgaria followed at about USD 320 million each. Figures are imports declared by each country from the world, and countries report with a delay.
Do I pay customs duties when selling sunflower seeds from Spain to Romania or Bulgaria?
No. A sale from Spain to another EU member state is intra-EU trade, so no customs duties apply and no export customs declaration is needed. You still have to meet VAT and Intrastat reporting obligations.
How do I find the duty on sunflower seeds in a non-EU market?
The duty depends on the tariff line of the destination and on any agreement it has with the EU. Look up the product code and the country in Access2Markets. Check the result against the importer's customs broker before fixing the price.
Does heading 1206 cover all sunflower seeds?
It covers sunflower seeds whether or not broken. Tariff lines at eight or ten digits can distinguish uses, such as sowing seeds. Check the exact line in the tariff of the destination before classifying the goods.
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