Loose grain and seeds
Definition

(list of HS codes covered by this card)
Free-flowing granular products; grains, seeds; food products; animal feed, etc.

Oilseeds, oleaginous fruits, and any form of pelletized products.

For products in powder form see specific card for “Foodstuffs, powder”.

For products in individual packs see specific card for ”Retail packages and finished articles”.


Loose grain and seeds
Recommended minimum quantity for each final sample

0,5 kg (1 kg for the determination of the quality of wheat)
Applicable standards (ISO and EU Norms) and relevant legislation
  • EN ISO 542 Oilseeds - Sampling
  • ISO 948 Spices and condiments - Sampling
  • EN ISO 24333 Cereals and cereal products - Sampling
  • ISO 6497 Animal feeding stuff - Sampling
  • Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of feed.
You should also refer to your national legislation and national guidelines regarding sampling.


Equipment needed
Suggested sampling tool depending on the method used
  • Trowel, scoop with long handles (S03-01)
  • Zone sampler (S02-01)
  • Spear-type sampler (S01-01)
  • Sample dividing equipment (D01-01)
Containers to be used for the sampling
  • Plastic bags, different sizes, with or without pre-printed label (P00)
  • Plastic bottles, various sizes (P01, P03, P04)
The containers must be made of a material suitable for food.

Safety precautions and risk assessment
  • You should be aware of and follow any health and safety instructions in the local risk assessment and/or safe working practices for the location where the sampling is to take place.
  • See Health and Safety for the ‘Sampling of Food Products’ for detailed advice on hygiene and risks for dry foods in bulk.
  • The hygiene of food products must be maintained.
  • Ensure you have clean and appropriate PPE for the circumstances.
  • Products of vegetable origin can be dusty or infested with agents that are dangerous to human health. Officers should make a risk assessment when they have sighted the consignment.
  • Officers should wear appropriate respiratory protection for exposure to dust.
  • High levels of dust in the air in combination with static electricity may generate a fire or explosion.

Sampling plan
Type of consignment Procedure
Consignment for Customs clearance One aggregate sample consisting of an appropriate number of incremental samples chosen randomly or systematically throughout the consignment.

Bags, drums One aggregate sample: by random selection from different parts of the consignment.

Take incremental samples at random from at least two bags or drums from the middle.

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009

Bulk being moved by a conveyor or other flowing grain One aggregate sample: from incremental samples across the whole diameter of the stream, with intervals determined by the moving speed. For more information see General Principles, Sampling Methods.

Where the grain is being mechanically moved using conveyors or other equipment there may be diverter valves or chutes which allow samples to be drawn at regular intervals from the moving stream. If these are not present it may be necessary for health and safety reasons to stop the flow and use a shovel or scoop to draw samples from the conveyor. In some cases samples may be collected by passing a scoop with long handles through the moving stream of grain at regular intervals. In each case samples must be drawn during the whole time the lot is flowing past the sampling point to ensure the aggregate sample is representative.

Loose < 15 tonnes in carriages, tanks or containers One aggregate sample: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is in motion (see bulk being moved) or from at least five conventional points. For more information see General Principles, Sampling Methods

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009

Loose >15 tonnes but < 30 tonnes in carriages, tanks or containers One aggregate sample: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is in motion (see bulk being moved) or from at least eight conventional points. For more information see General Principles, Sampling Methods

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009

Loose >30 tonnes but < 50 tonnes in carriages, tanks or containers One aggregate sample: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is in motion (see bulk being moved) or from at least eleven conventional points. For more information see General Principles, Sampling Methods

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009

Loose < 500 tonnes in silos One aggregate sample: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is removed (see Bulk being moved) or transferred to another silo.

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009

Loose in ship >500 tonnes in holds One aggregate sample: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is removed (see Bulk being moved) or from at least five conventional points (one in the middle plus four at the midpoints between the centre and the apexes).

Loose in ship >500 tonnes in various holds One aggregate sample for each hold: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is removed (see Bulk being moved) or from at least five conventional points. For more information see General Principles, Sampling Methods

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009


Handling of samples
General comments
  • Where the product is transported loose in bulk, the load must be considered as a whole and the samples must be taken from all parts of the load.
  • Representative sampling: The sample should be representative of the whole consignment. Incremental samples must be taken throughout the lot or during the whole of the discharge process. The recommended minimum quantity for each incremental sample is 1 kg. The incremental samples must be mixed thoroughly to create the aggregate sample. Ensure that the product being sampled remains unaltered by the sampling process. You must avoid handling (such as ventilation or sieving) which may be carried out in order to reduce the presence of dust or other constituents (bran, etc.).
  • Taking samples: Different methods apply depending on how the grain is transported or discharged from the transport.
  • Bulk
    • Zone sampler (S02-01). The probes are inserted into the load with the opening facing the bottom, then rotated 180° and withdrawn slowly in order to collect a uniform sample across the whole section. In each lot, the sample must be collected at three heights (upper, middle and lower levels) and at various points to ensure the aggregate sample is representative.
    • Spear-type sampler (S01-01). Vertical probes should be inserted with the sampling chamber(s) closed. When the probe has reached the required depth, the chambers should be opened and the probe twisted to ensure the chambers are filled. Close the chambers and withdraw the probe. In each lot, the sample must be collected at various points across the surface and at various depths to ensure the aggregate sample is representative.
Sampling form
  • Fill in the sampling form. One copy should be attached to the samples and one copy should be kept for the record.
Transport
  • The samples should be kept at room temperature in a dry and well-ventilated place. They must be protected against light and odour to prevent contamination, microbiological growth or other situations which would damage the sample.
Storage
  • The samples must be kept at room temperature in a dry and well-ventilated place. They must be protected against light and odour to prevent contamination, microbiological growth or other situations which would damage the sample.
  • Samples which are to be tested for the moisture content or where the moisture content may affect the analysis must be packed in moisture-tight containers with an air-tight closure. The container must be filled completely and sealed afterwards to prevent any change in the moisture content.

Loose grain and seeds (expand list)
HS number Decription


Revisions
Version Date Changes
1.0 12.10.2012 First version
1.1 1.11.2019 Change of title card; modifications in text and list HS numbers; minimum quantity for each final sample changed
1.1.1 2.11.2019 Modifications in text
1.2 10.2.2021 Update - New format, text modification