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12122100
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

Fit for human consumption

Standard EU duty
0%
VAT
8%
Additional duties / sanctions
3 rules
ERGA OMNESBYRU
Docs required
10 docs
C644Y9297P237P24N954U045+4
Additional duties / sanctions
Applies toTypeRateConditionsRegulation
ERGA OMNES (excl. RU, BY)Additional dutiesSee notes2 condition(s)R1227/25
BYAdditional duties50%-R1227/25
RUAdditional duties50%-R1227/25
Preferences
ERGA OMNES 0%AD 0%CARI 0%CI 0%CM 0%EG 0%EH 0%ESA 0%FJ 0%GB 0%GH 0%IL 0%IS 0%JO 0%KE 0%KR 0%LB 0%LOMB 0%MA 0%MD 0%MX 0%PG 0%SADC EPA 0%SB 0%SM 0%WS 0%
Notes
TM01026In case the goods are exported directly or indirectly from the Russian Federation or from Belarus, the additional customs duty based on Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1227 is applied.
TM01026In case the goods are exported directly or indirectly from the Russian Federation or from Belarus, the additional customs duty based on Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1227 is applied.
TM904Preferences granted under the agreement between the European Union and Morocco in force from 19 July 2019.As of 3 October 2025, products originating in Western Sahara subject to controls by the customs authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco shall benefit from trade preferences under the terms of the new Agreement in the form of exchange of letters between the EU and Morocco, The European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to allow those products to be identified by reference to the region of origin to be included in the proof of origin and as provided for in Protocol 4.In view of the application of these measures, the origin certificates codes U179 and U180 must be declared.The country code to be entered in the origin declaration when these proofs of origin are used is “EH”.
CD906The list of non-eligible locations and their postal codes is available at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/technical-arrangement_postal-codes.pdf
TM01026In case the goods are exported directly or indirectly from the Russian Federation or from Belarus, the additional customs duty based on Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1227 is applied.
CloseMRN — potwierdzenie wywozu z każdego portu UE
5

Binding Tariff Information

BTI classification examples

DEgold015/25-1

Dried edible seaweed Eisenia bicyclis

wodorosty morskie (Eisenia bicyclis)GRI 1GRI 6
ITgold025-0328

Seaweed flour from Gracilaria verrucosa

algi morskie Gracilaria verrucosaGRI 1GRI 6
DEgold100/24-1

Dried edible seaweed (Konbu)

wodorosty Laminaria japonica (Konbu)GRI 1GRI 5bGRI 6
CZgold00-04/01

Dried edible kombu seaweed for food

wodorosty morskie (kombu)GRI 1GRI 5bGRI 6
DEgold061/24-1

Dried and cut Wakame seaweed for human consumption

algi brązowe (Undaria pinnatifida)GRI 1GRI 5bGRI 6

BTI (Binding Tariff Information) is an official EU customs decision confirming the classification of goods. Valid for 3 years, binding across all EU member states.

Classification of carob

CN code 121221 covers carob (locust beans), the pods of Ceratonia siliqua, whole or crushed, fit for human consumption. Carob is cultivated in the Mediterranean basin, mainly in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Turkey, and Cyprus. Carob pods are naturally sweet and serve as raw material for carob flour used as a cocoa substitute, and locust bean gum (E410) used as a thickener in the food industry.

Food safety requirements

Carob imports are subject to general food safety requirements of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002. Controls cover pesticides and mycotoxins. Locust bean gum as food additive E410 is subject to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Carob is not listed among EU allergens. A phytosanitary certificate is required.

Trade and import

Importers should indicate CN code 121221 with analysis certificates and phytosanitary certificates. Morocco and Turkey are major non-EU exporters. Transport in bags under dry conditions. In 2026, carob is gaining popularity as a healthy cocoa and chocolate substitute.

Locust beans as a cocoa substitute

Locust beans (carob) under CN 1212 21 are pods of Ceratonia siliqua, native to the Mediterranean basin. Carob powder is a popular cocoa substitute - free from caffeine and theobromine. Locust bean gum (E410) is used as a thickener in the food industry. Imports are subject to phytosanitary controls and mycotoxin testing. Main suppliers are Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Turkey. Classification requires attention - purified locust bean gum falls under heading 1302, not 1212.

Frequently asked questions

Is carob a cocoa substitute?
Yes. Carob flour is used as a natural cocoa substitute in food products. Carob is naturally sweet, caffeine-free, and theobromine-free. It is not classified as cocoa and falls under a different CN code.
Is locust bean gum approved as a food additive?
Yes. Locust bean gum is approved as food additive E410 under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, used as a thickener and stabiliser in many food categories.
Where does most carob imported into the EU originate?
Major exporters are Morocco and Turkey. Spain and Portugal are the largest EU producers. Carob grows exclusively in Mediterranean climates.
Is locust bean (carob) CN 1212 21 gluten-free?
Yes, carob under CN 1212 21 is naturally gluten-free. It is a popular cocoa substitute for those with gluten and caffeine intolerance, and contains no theobromine.

Useful tools & resources

Customs calculators
Duty & VAT CalculatorCalculate customs duty and VAT for "Fit for human consumption" and see the full import cost.Excise Duty CalculatorCheck if your goods are subject to excise duty and calculate the tax amount.Import Profitability CalculatorCheck the import profitability of "Fit for human consumption" with all costs included.