Sunflower Seeds in Shell for Oil Pressing from China
High-oleic sunflower seeds with hulls intact, imported specifically for mechanical pressing to extract cooking oil. Classified under HTS 1201.90.00.05 as 'other' seeds used as oil stock under the soybeans hierarchy, distinct from confectionary varieties. They are non-defatted and optimized for oil yield.
Duty Rate — China → United States
35%
Rate breakdown
9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
9903.88.0325%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)
Import Tips
• Include commercial invoices specifying 'for oil extraction' to differentiate from food-use seeds
• Comply with USDA APHIS import permits for quarantine pests common in sunflower imports
• Watch for partial defatting which could shift to flours/meals under heading 1208 per chapter note