12129900
OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUITS; MISCELLANEOUS GRAINS, SEEDS AND FRUIT; INDUSTRIAL OR MEDICINAL PLANTS; STRAW AND FODDER›Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety Cichorium intybus sativum) of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or included
Other
Subcodes (3)
Classification of other vegetable products
CN code 121299 covers other vegetable products used principally in food not specified in other subheadings of heading 1212. This residual heading includes apricot kernels, plum stones, nut shells, kernel meal, and other plant raw materials. Products are used in the food, cosmetic, and technical industries.
Food safety requirements
Products intended for consumption are subject to Regulation (EC) No 178/2002. Apricot kernels may contain amygdalin releasing hydrocyanic acid - Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets limits. Controls cover pesticides, mycotoxins, and heavy metals. Phytosanitary certificates may be required.
Import practice
Importers should precisely describe the product and indicate CN code 121299. Documentation depends on product type and intended use. In 2026, demand for plant raw materials for plant protein and functional food ingredients is growing.
Niche plant products in EU trade
Other plant products under CN 1212 99 cover a wide range not separately classified, such as sugar cane, caesalpinia seeds, tara gum and others. Imports are subject to phytosanitary and food safety controls. Some products may require novel food authorisation (Regulation (EU) 2015/2283). Correct classification requires precise product identification - highly processed products may fall under different tariff headings. Documentation must accurately describe the plant species and degree of processing for proper tariff treatment at the border.
Frequently asked questions
Are apricot kernels subject to hydrocyanic acid limits?
Yes. Apricot kernels contain amygdalin releasing hydrocyanic acid. Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets maximum levels for consumer sale.
What products are classified under code 121299?
Vegetable products not in other 1212 subheadings, such as fruit stones, nut shells, and other plant materials for food or technical use.
Do products under 121299 require phytosanitary certificates?
Depending on product and country of origin, a phytosanitary certificate may be required under Regulation (EU) 2016/2031.
What plant products does CN 1212 99 cover?
CN 1212 99 covers plant products not separately classified: sugar cane, caesalpinia seeds, tara gum and others. Some may require novel food authorisation in the EU.
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