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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

Locust beans (carob)

Standard EU duty
5.1%
VAT
8%
Additional duties / sanctions
3 rules
ERGA OMNESBYRU
Docs required
10 docs
C644Y9297P237P24N954U045+4
Standard rates
Applies toTypeRateConditionsRegulation
ERGA OMNESThird country duty5.1%-R1006/11
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
AD 0%AL 0%BA 0%CA 0%CAMER 0%CARI 0%CI 0%CL 0%CM 0%CO 0%DZ 0%EBA 0%EC 0%EG 0%EH 0%ESA 0%EUCA 0%FJ 0%GB 0%GE 0%GH 0%GSP 1.6%GSP+ 0%IL 0%IS 0%JO 0%JP 0%KE 0%KR 0%LB 0%LOMB 0%MA 0%MD 0%ME 0%MK 0%MX 0%NZ 0%PE 0%PG 0%PS 0%SADC EPA 0%SB 0%SG 0%SM 0%TN 0%TR 0%UA 0%VN 0%WS 0%XK 0%XS 0%ZA 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”.
CD727Eligibility to benefit from this preference is subject to the presentation of an origin declaration stating the European Union origin of the goods, in the context of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
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

DEgold075/25-1

Carob pods, whole or cut, dried

strąki karobu (Ceratonia siliqua)GRI 1GRI 6
DEgold015/25-1

Dried edible seaweed Eisenia bicyclis

wodorosty morskie (Eisenia bicyclis)GRI 1GRI 6
DEgold502/24-1

Dried blackberry leaves for herbal tea

liście jeżyny (Rubus fruticosus)GRI 1GRI 6
ESgold5SOL1102

Dried seaweed powder/flakes for fertilizer

algi morskieGRI 1GRI 6
ITgold025-0328

Seaweed flour from Gracilaria verrucosa

algi morskie Gracilaria verrucosaGRI 1GRI 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 seaweeds and algae

CN code 121292 covers seaweeds and algae, fresh, chilled, frozen, or dried, whether or not ground. This includes edible seaweeds such as nori, kombu, wakame, and hijiki used in Asian cuisine, as well as algae used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Seaweeds are sources of agar, carrageenan, and alginates used as thickeners. Major exporters include China, Korea, Japan, Chile, and Indonesia. The seaweed market is growing dynamically due to functional food and supplement applications.

Food safety and import requirements

Seaweed imports are subject to food safety requirements including controls for heavy metals, particularly iodine, cadmium, arsenic, and lead. Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets contaminant limits. Seaweeds can accumulate heavy metals from seawater at concentrations exceeding EU standards. Pesticides and microorganisms are also controlled. Novel food seaweeds without EU consumption history may require authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

Trade and import in 2026

Importers should indicate CN code 121292 with analysis certificates covering heavy metals and iodine. Transport conditions depend on the product form. Preferential rates may be available. In 2026, European seaweed aquaculture is growing but Asian imports still dominate.

Edible seaweed - heavy metal controls

Seaweed and algae under CN 1212 92 cover edible products such as nori, wakame, kombu and spirulina. EU imports are subject to heavy metal controls - particularly iodine, cadmium, inorganic arsenic and lead. Regulation (EC) 1881/2006 sets contaminant limits. Seaweed from East Asia (main suppliers: China, Korea, Japan) faces enhanced controls following RASFF alerts. Spirulina as a novel food requires authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Documentation must include test results from an accredited laboratory.

Frequently asked questions

What heavy metals are controlled in seaweeds?
Cadmium, inorganic arsenic, lead, and mercury are controlled. Seaweeds can accumulate these from seawater. Limits are set in Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Inorganic arsenic monitoring is especially important in hijiki seaweed.
Can all seaweeds be sold as food in the EU?
Not all. Seaweeds without EU consumption history before 1997 may require novel food authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Nori, kombu, and wakame have consumption history and do not require such authorisation.
Do seaweeds contain excess iodine?
Some seaweeds, especially kombu, contain very high iodine concentrations. Excessive iodine intake can cause health problems. Labelling should include iodine content information and recommended serving sizes.
What heavy metal limits apply to seaweed CN 1212 92?
Seaweed CN 1212 92 is subject to limits for cadmium, inorganic arsenic and lead under Regulation (EC) 1881/2006. Iodine content is also monitored as excessive levels pose health risks.

Useful tools & resources

Customs calculators
Duty & VAT CalculatorCalculate customs duty and VAT for "Locust beans (carob)" 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 "Locust beans (carob)" with all costs included.