HS Code 120740

Sesame Seeds

HS code 120740 covers sesamum seeds, whether or not broken, used for oil expression, food ingredients, or direct human consumption.

6-digit Section IIFCL

HS Code 120740 — Sesame Seeds

This code covers raw or dried sesame seeds, whether whole or broken. They are used for oil extraction, as a topping for bakery products, or as an ingredient in tahini and confectionery.

What's included

  • Hulled sesame seeds
  • Unhulled sesame seeds
  • Black sesame seeds
  • White sesame seeds

What's excluded

  • Sesame oil → use 151550 (Oils are in Chapter 15.)
  • Roasted sesame seeds → use 200819 (Roasting or further preparation moves the product to Chapter 20.)

Common examples

  • Natural white sesame seeds
  • Mechanically hulled sesame seeds
  • Raw black sesame seeds for oil

Frequently asked questions

Does this code include tahini?

No, tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds and is classified under 2106 or 2008 depending on its preparation.

Trade & shipping notes

  • Typical duty range: 0% - 10%
  • Documentation: Testing for Salmonella and Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is frequently required for EU imports.
  • Typical shipping mode: FCL
  • Top exporters: Sudan, India, Nigeria, Ethiopia
  • Top importers: China, Japan, Turkey

Key takeaway

Covers all raw and hulled sesame seeds; roasting is the primary classification boundary.

Related HS codes

Tired of HS code lookups?

CargoMode extracts HS codes directly from commercial invoices, packing lists, and CMRs — no manual lookup, no transcription errors.