HS Code 1211
Medicinal, Perfumery, and Insecticidal Plants
HS code 1211 covers plants and plant parts used for pharmacy, perfumery, or insecticidal purposes, including roots, stems, and leaves in various raw forms.
HS Code 1211 — Medicinal, Perfumery, and Insecticidal Plants
This grouping includes plants and parts of plants used mainly in medicine, fragrance, or as natural pesticides. These items can be fresh, dried, crushed, or powdered, but they must not be used primarily for human food seasoning.
What's included
- Ginseng roots
- Licorice roots
- Lavender flowers
- Pyrethrum (raw material)
- Sandalwood chips
What's excluded
- Culinary herbs → use
0910(If used for food seasoning, they are classified as spices.) - Essential oils → use
3301(Distilled oils are processed chemicals, not raw plant material.)
Common examples
- Dried ginseng roots for traditional medicine
- Raw lavender stems for fragrance bags
- Crushed neem leaves for insecticide production
- Dried patchouli leaves
Frequently asked questions
Can these be used for tea?
If the plant is specifically used for medicinal infusions, it stays in 1211; if it is a standard beverage tea, it moves to 0902.
Trade & shipping notes
- Typical duty range: 0% - 8%
- Documentation: End-use statements are essential to distinguish medicinal plants from food-grade spices.
- Typical shipping mode: LCL
- Top exporters: China, India, Egypt
- Top importers: United States, Germany, Japan
Related HS codes
Key takeaway
Plants in this category are defined by their industrial or medicinal use rather than their nutritional value.
Related HS codes
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