HS Code for Castor Seeds
Castor seeds are classified under HTSUS subheading 1207.30, castor oil seeds, at a general rate of Free. Chapter 12 keeps oil seeds in their own heading even when they are intended for sowing, so castor seeds for planting generally point toward the same line. Products made from castor seeds, such as castor oil, hydrogenated castor oil and castor meal, point toward chapters 15 and 23. Confirming whether the product is the seed itself or a product derived from it is the first step in exploring the most appropriate code.
HTS Codes for Castor Seeds
| HTS Code | Description | Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1207.30.00.00 | Castor oil seeds, whether or not broken Castor beans (Ricinus communis) for crushing or for sowing | Free |
| 1515.30.00.00 | Castor oil and its fractions Crude or refined castor oil, not chemically modified | Free |
| 1516.20.91.00 | Vegetable fats and oils, partly or wholly hydrogenated, other than rapeseed Hydrogenated castor oil (castor wax), not further prepared | 8.8¢/kg |
| 2306.90.01.50 | Oilcake and other solid residues from vegetable oil extraction, other Castor meal or castor cake left after oil extraction | 0.32¢/kg |
How to Approach Classification for Castor Seeds
Castor seeds, the beans of Ricinus communis, are provided for in heading 1207 of the HTSUS, which covers other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, whether or not broken. Within it, castor oil seeds have a dedicated subheading at 1207.30, with a single 10-digit line (1207.30.00.00) and a general rate of Free.
Seeds intended for sowing usually raise the question of heading 1209 (seeds, fruit and spores of a kind used for sowing). The notes to chapter 12 generally keep oil seeds of headings 1201 to 1207 out of heading 1209 even when they are for planting, so castor seeds for sowing generally point toward 1207.30 as well. Because castor seeds for planting are a narrow case, this is worth confirming against the chapter notes for a specific shipment.
Searchers often confuse castor seeds with the products made from them. Castor oil, crude or refined, points toward 1515.30 (castor oil and its fractions), also at a general rate of Free. Hydrogenated castor oil, sold as castor wax, points toward heading 1516 for hydrogenated vegetable fats and oils. The meal or cake left after crushing points toward the oilcake provisions in 2306.90.
A practical sequence is to confirm whether the product is the whole or broken seed, the oil, a chemically modified oil, or the extraction residue. That single question usually points toward the most appropriate heading to explore, since each form sits in a different chapter.
Duty Rate Overview
General duty rates for castor products are low. Castor oil seeds under 1207.30 and castor oil under 1515.30 both carry a general rate of Free. Hydrogenated castor oil (castor wax) under 1516.20 carries a small specific rate around 8.8¢/kg, and castor meal or cake under 2306.90 around 0.32¢/kg.
These are general (MFN) rates only. Additional duties under Section 301 or IEEPA-based measures may apply depending on origin, and castor seeds intended for planting can be subject to USDA APHIS plant and seed import requirements. Castor seeds contain ricin, so shipments may also draw additional regulatory attention. These figures are estimates for general planning purposes only.