Sweet Clover Seeds (Melilotus officinalis)
Sweet clover seeds from Melilotus officinalis, a biennial legume used for forage, cover cropping, and soil improvement. Classified under HTS 1209.22.4060 as seeds of forage plants (clover species) specifically for sowing, per Chapter 12 notes excluding processed products. These seeds are valued for nitrogen fixation in pastures and hay production.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If classified as other forage seeds not specifically clover
Broad forage seed subheading applies if not explicitly Trifolium spp., shifting from sweet clover specificity.
If processed or cleaned for animal feed rather than sowing
Heading 2309 covers prepared animal feed ingredients, excluding raw sowing seeds per Chapter 12 notes.
If dried plants or herbage parts used medicinally
Heading 1211 includes herbal plants like sweet clover for medicinal use, not seeds for sowing.
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Import Tips & Compliance
• Verify seed purity and germination rates via AOSA testing to meet US import standards for sowing seeds
• Obtain phytosanitary certificate confirming freedom from weeds/quarantine pests like clover weevils
• Label bags clearly as 'for sowing' to prevent reclassification as animal feed under heading 2309
Related Products under HTS 1209.22.40.60
White Sweet Clover Inoculated Seeds
Inoculated white sweet clover (Melilotus alba) seeds coated with rhizobia bacteria for enhanced nitrogen fixation in forage crops. Falls under HTS 1209.22.4060 as sweet clover forage seeds for sowing, as inoculation does not alter seed classification per HTS notes. Ideal for pasture establishment and erosion control.
Hubam Sweet Clover Forage Seeds
Hubam variety sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) seeds, an annual type for quick cover crops and bee forage. Classified in HTS 1209.22.4060 for sweet clover forage seeds used for sowing, aligning with Chapter 12 definitions for Trifolium spp. and equivalents. Popular for honey production and green manure.
Certified Organic Sweet Clover Seeds
Certified organic sweet clover seeds (Melilotus spp.) grown without synthetic pesticides for organic forage sowing. HTS 1209.22.4060 applies to these unprocessed forage seeds per Chapter notes, maintaining sowing purpose. Used in organic pastures and rotational cropping systems.
Dwarf Sweet Clover Pasture Seeds
Dwarf variety sweet clover seeds for low-growing pastures and hayfields, Trifolium-adjacent forage plant. Under HTS 1209.22.4060 as 'other sweet' clover seeds for sowing, excluded from Chapters 7/10 per notes. Suited for intensive grazing mixes.