Product Overview Sesame seeds classified under HS Code 120740 refer to the cleaned, hulled or unhulled seeds of the Sesamum indicum plant, primarily used as an oilseed or food ingredient. These seeds are typically small, oval-shaped, and range in color from white and cream to brown and black, depending on the variety. Processing levels vary from raw, cleaned seeds to toasted or hulled forms, with moisture content generally maintained below 8% to ensure optimal shelf life and quality. Quality attributes include uniform size distribution, absence of foreign matter, minimal broken seeds, and compliance with food safety standards such as ISO 22000 and HACCP. HS Code 120740 encompasses sesame seeds both hulled and unhulled, excluding sesame seed oil or pastes, thus covering subcategories differentiated by treatment and physical condition. Commercially, these seeds serve as a raw material in bakery products, confectionery, oil extraction, and seasoning blends, making them integral to food service, retail packaging, and industrial processing sectors. Their value proposition is anchored on natural nutritional benefits, versatility, and consistent supply quality, which underpin their competitive positioning in global commodity markets. HS Code Classification & Trade Specifications The full HS Code 120740 falls under Chapter 12: “Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits,” Heading 1207: “Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits,” and Subheading 120740: “Sesame seeds.” This classification aligns with international customs nomenclature as maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and ensures harmonized tariff treatment worldwide. Sesame seeds are classified here due to their botanical origin, oil content exceeding 40%, and primary use as an oilseed or food ingredient distinct from prepared or processed derivatives. Trade considerations include packaging in jute bags, woven polypropylene sacks, or bulk containers, typically in quantities ranging from 25 to 50 kilograms to facilitate handling and transport. Preservation methods emphasize moisture control, pest prevention, and temperature regulation to maintain seed integrity during transit. Quality standards mandated by importing countries often require compliance with maximum limits for contaminants, pesticide residues, and aflatoxins, consistent with Codex Alimentarius guidelines. Documentation must accurately reflect HS classification to ensure tariff accuracy, customs clearance efficiency, and adherence to WTO trade facilitation agreements, supporting seamless international commerce of sesame seeds under HS Code 120740.