HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0402.21 – Dairy produce; milk and cream, concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content exceeding 1.5% (by weight)

HS code 0402.21 is the 6-digit subheading for dairy produce, milk and cream, concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content exceeding 1.5% (by weight). It is used for whole milk powder, skim milk powder (if fat content > 1.5%), cream powder, milk protein concentrate (high fat) and dairy whitener (unsweetened).

What HS 0402.21 covers

This code covers a significant segment of the global dairy trade, focusing on unsweetened milk and cream powders with a fat content above 1.5%. These products are crucial for food manufacturers worldwide, serving as essential ingredients in confectionery, baked goods, processed foods, and infant formulas. Major exporters typically include dairy-rich nations like New Zealand, the EU (particularly Ireland and France), and the USA, which have robust dairy industries and advanced processing capabilities. Importers are often countries with insufficient domestic dairy production or those seeking specific functional properties for their food industries, such as China, Mexico, and various Southeast Asian nations. Key considerations in this trade include quality standards, shelf life, rehydration properties, and compliance with food safety regulations, which can vary significantly across different markets. The global demand for these concentrated dairy forms is driven by convenience, cost-effectiveness in transport, and their versatility as ingredients.

Covers
  • Whole milk powder
  • Skim milk powder (if fat content > 1.5%)
  • Cream powder
  • Milk protein concentrate (high fat)
  • Dairy whitener (unsweetened)
  • Instant milk powder (unsweetened)
  • Full cream milk powder
Examples
  • Fonterra Full Cream Milk Powder
  • Arla Foods Whole Milk Powder
  • FrieslandCampina Full Cream Milk Powder
  • Nestlé Nido Fortificada (unsweetened variant)
  • Saputo Dairy Australia Whole Milk Powder

Codes often confused with 0402.21

Common mistake. This code can be confused with 040210 (skimmed milk powder, fat content <= 1.5%) or 040229 (sweetened milk powder with fat content > 1.5%) due to the fat content and presence of sugar distinctions.

0402.10Dairy produce; milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content not exceeding 1.5% (by weight)0402.29Dairy produce; milk and cream, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content exceeding 1.5% (by weight)

Top exporters and importers of HS code 040221, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 040221 in UN Comtrade data was New Zealand, with 51% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 19% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 New Zealand $5.3B
  2. 2 Uruguay $671M
  3. 3 Netherlands $590M

World total: $10.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $2.0B
  2. 2 Algeria* ~$1.0B
  3. 3 Brazil $524M

World total: $10.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

How these figures are built

109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).

Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.

Brazil NCM codes for 0402.21 3

Brazil splits HS 0402.21 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 0402.21.10 Unsweetened whole milk powderLeite integral
  2. 0402.21.20 Unsweetened partly skimmed milk powderLeite parcialmente desnatado
  3. 0402.21.30 Unsweetened cream powderCreme de leite (nata)

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 04.02 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 0402.21

What is HS code 040221?

HS code 040221 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Dairy produce; milk and cream, concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content exceeding 1.5% (by weight). This code covers a significant segment of the global dairy trade, focusing on unsweetened milk and cream powders with a fat content above 1.5%. These products are crucial for food manufacturers worldwide, serving as essential ingredients in confectionery, baked goods, processed foods, and infant formulas. Major exporters typically include dairy-rich nations like New Zealand, the EU (particularly Ireland and France), and the USA, which have robust dairy industries and advanced processing capabilities. Importers are often countries with insufficient domestic dairy production or those seeking specific functional properties for their food industries, such as China, Mexico, and various Southeast Asian nations. Key considerations in this trade include quality standards, shelf life, rehydration properties, and compliance with food safety regulations, which can vary significantly across different markets. The global demand for these concentrated dairy forms is driven by convenience, cost-effectiveness in transport, and their versatility as ingredients.

What products fall under HS code 040221?

Whole milk powder, Skim milk powder (if fat content > 1.5%), Cream powder, Milk protein concentrate (high fat), Dairy whitener (unsweetened), Instant milk powder (unsweetened), Full cream milk powder

What are common misclassifications for HS code 040221?

This code can be confused with 040210 (skimmed milk powder, fat content <= 1.5%) or 040229 (sweetened milk powder with fat content > 1.5%) due to the fat content and presence of sugar distinctions.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 040221?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 040221 in UN Comtrade data were New Zealand ($5.3B, 51% of world exports), Uruguay ($671M) and the Netherlands ($590M). World exports came to about $10.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 040221?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 040221 in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.0B, 19% of world imports), Algeria (about $1.0B) and Brazil ($524M). World imports came to about $10.6B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

How is HS code 040221 structured?

HS code 040221 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (04) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 040221?

Brazil splits HS code 040221 into 3 NCM codes: 0402.21.10 (Unsweetened whole milk powder), 0402.21.20 (Unsweetened partly skimmed milk powder), 0402.21.30 (Unsweetened cream powder). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.