About HS Code 04
HS Chapter 04 encompasses a vital category of primary edible animal products crucial for global food supply chains: dairy produce, birds' eggs, natural honey, and other edible products of animal origin not specified elsewhere. This chapter acts as a cornerstone for classifying relatively unprocessed foodstuffs derived directly from animals, excluding meat (Chapter 02), fish (Chapter 03), or highly processed preparations (Chapter 16 or 21). Its scope includes a wide array of dairy products, ranging from fresh and concentrated milk and cream to butter, cheese, yogurt, and whey. It also covers birds' eggs, both in shell and not in shell (e.g., liquid egg products), and all forms of natural honey. The residual heading, 0410, captures unique edible animal products like silkworm pupae or ants' eggs, provided they are not otherwise specified or prepared. Accurate classification under Chapter 04 is paramount for trade compliance due to stringent Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, specific import quotas, and varying tariff structures worldwide. These products are highly sensitive politically and economically, often subject to complex agricultural policies and trade agreements. Historically, dairy, eggs, and honey have been fundamental components of human diets and trade for millennia, with modern trade involving sophisticated processing, global distribution networks, and rigorous quality control. Misclassification can lead to significant delays, penalties, and even product rejection at borders, making a thorough understanding of this chapter essential for importers, exporters, and customs professionals navigating international food trade regulations.
Products Under This Code
Fresh whole milk, skim milk powder, ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, heavy cream, whipping cream, unsalted butter, clarified butter (ghee), cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, liquid egg whites, dried whole egg powder, fresh hen eggs, quail eggs, natural wildflower honey, acacia honey, propolis, royal jelly, silkworm pupae (edible), ants' eggs (edible)
Real World Examples
A French dairy cooperative regularly exports premium AOC Roquefort cheese and traditional salted butter to high-end supermarkets in Japan and South Korea. These shipments utilize specialized refrigerated shipping containers via sea routes from Le Havre to Yokohama and Busan, requiring stringent veterinary certificates and adherence to Japanese and Korean import quotas and food safety standards. Another scenario involves a German distributor importing organic acacia honey and multiflora honey in bulk from Ethiopia and Zambia. The honey is shipped to Hamburg, undergoing rigorous quality checks for purity and origin before being packaged for retail, benefiting from preferential tariffs under EU trade schemes with African nations, but requiring extensive testing for contaminants. Furthermore, a major U.S. egg producer exports liquid pasteurized egg yolks and dried egg powder to food manufacturers in Mexico for use in baking and confectionery. These products typically move by refrigerated trucks across the U.S.-Mexico border, leveraging the USMCA agreement for tariff-free access, but still necessitating specific health certifications from USDA and compliance with Mexican health regulations (SENASICA). Lastly, New Zealand dairy companies export vast quantities of whole milk powder and infant formula base to China, a high-value trade relying on efficient sea freight from Auckland to major Chinese ports like Shanghai and Tianjin, subject to strict Chinese food safety regulations (e.g., GACC registration) and often benefiting from the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement.
Common Misclassification
Traders often misclassify products under Chapter 04, leading to compliance issues. A common mistake is confusing Chapter 04 with Chapter 16 (Preparations of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or of insects). While 0410 covers *unprepared* edible animal products (e.g., silkworm pupae), Chapter 16 covers *prepared* or *preserved* versions (e.g., canned prepared silkworm pupae would fall under 1605). Another frequent error involves dairy-based preparations. Highly processed dairy desserts with significant non-dairy ingredients might be misclassified under 0403 (Yogurt) or 0404 (Whey products) when they should properly fall under Chapter 21 (Miscellaneous edible preparations), specifically 2106 (Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included), due to the degree of processing and ingredient complexity. Lastly, distinguishing between Chapter 04 and Chapter 02 (Meat and edible meat offal) is crucial; Chapter 04 explicitly excludes meat, focusing solely on dairy, eggs, and honey, and other specified animal products.
Headings in This Chapter 10
Industry
This code belongs to the Agriculture & Live Animals industry.
Trade Overview
Major exporters of goods in Chapter 04 include the European Union (notably Netherlands, Germany, France for dairy), New Zealand (dominant in dairy), and the United States (dairy, eggs). Significant importers are China (especially for dairy and infant formula), Japan (dairy, cheese), the United States (specialty cheeses, honey), and countries in the Middle East. Dairy products globally face high tariffs and quotas due to their sensitive role in domestic agricultural policies. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) like USMCA, CPTPP, and various EU agreements often include specific tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for dairy and eggs, aiming to reduce trade barriers. However, strict Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures remain paramount, frequently acting as significant non-tariff barriers requiring detailed health certificates and compliance with importing country standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 04?
HS code 04 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included. HS Chapter 04 encompasses a vital category of primary edible animal products crucial for global food supply chains: dairy produce, birds' eggs, natural honey, and other edible products of animal origin not specified elsewhere. This chapter acts as a cornerstone for classifying relatively unprocessed foodstuffs derived directly from animals, excluding meat (Chapter 02), fish (Chapter 03), or highly processed preparations (Chapter 16 or 21). Its scope includes a wide array of dairy products, ranging from fresh and concentrated milk and cream to butter, cheese, yogurt, and whey. It also covers birds' eggs, both in shell and not in shell (e.g., liquid egg products), and all forms of natural honey. The residual heading, 0410, captures unique edible animal products like silkworm pupae or ants' eggs, provided they are not otherwise specified or prepared. Accurate classification under Chapter 04 is paramount for trade compliance due to stringent Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, specific import quotas, and varying tariff structures worldwide. These products are highly sensitive politically and economically, often subject to complex agricultural policies and trade agreements. Historically, dairy, eggs, and honey have been fundamental components of human diets and trade for millennia, with modern trade involving sophisticated processing, global distribution networks, and rigorous quality control. Misclassification can lead to significant delays, penalties, and even product rejection at borders, making a thorough understanding of this chapter essential for importers, exporters, and customs professionals navigating international food trade regulations.
What products fall under HS code 04?
Fresh whole milk, skim milk powder, ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, heavy cream, whipping cream, unsalted butter, clarified butter (ghee), cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, liquid egg whites, dried whole egg powder, fresh hen eggs, quail eggs, natural wildflower honey, acacia honey, propolis, royal jelly, silkworm pupae (edible), ants' eggs (edible)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 04?
Traders often misclassify products under Chapter 04, leading to compliance issues. A common mistake is confusing Chapter 04 with Chapter 16 (Preparations of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or of insects). While 0410 covers *unprepared* edible animal products (e.g., silkworm pupae), Chapter 16 covers *prepared* or *preserved* versions (e.g., canned prepared silkworm pupae would fall under 1605). Another frequent error involves dairy-based preparations. Highly processed dairy desserts with significant non-dairy ingredients might be misclassified under 0403 (Yogurt) or 0404 (Whey products) when they should properly fall under Chapter 21 (Miscellaneous edible preparations), specifically 2106 (Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included), due to the degree of processing and ingredient complexity. Lastly, distinguishing between Chapter 04 and Chapter 02 (Meat and edible meat offal) is crucial; Chapter 04 explicitly excludes meat, focusing solely on dairy, eggs, and honey, and other specified animal products.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 04?
Major exporters of goods in Chapter 04 include the European Union (notably Netherlands, Germany, France for dairy), New Zealand (dominant in dairy), and the United States (dairy, eggs). Significant importers are China (especially for dairy and infant formula), Japan (dairy, cheese), the United States (specialty cheeses, honey), and countries in the Middle East. Dairy products globally face high tariffs and quotas due to their sensitive role in domestic agricultural policies. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) like USMCA, CPTPP, and various EU agreements often include specific tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for dairy and eggs, aiming to reduce trade barriers. However, strict Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures remain paramount, frequently acting as significant non-tariff barriers requiring detailed health certificates and compliance with importing country standards.
How is HS code 04 structured?
HS code 04 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.