HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0403.90 – Dairy produce; buttermilk, curdled milk or cream, kephir, fermented or acidified milk or cream, whether or not concentrated or containing added sweetening, flavouring, fruit, nuts or cocoa (excluding yoghurt)
HS code 0403.90 is the 6-digit subheading for dairy produce, buttermilk, curdled milk or cream, kephir, fermented or acidified milk or cream, whether or not concentrated or containing added sweetening, flavouring, fruit, nuts or cocoa (excluding yoghurt). It is used for liquid buttermilk, powdered buttermilk, kefir, curdled milk and sour cream (fermented).
What HS 0403.90 covers
This comprehensive HS code covers a wide array of fermented and acidified dairy products, excluding yogurt, such as buttermilk, curdled milk, kefir, and other similar preparations. These products are traded internationally for both direct consumption and as ingredients in the food industry, valued for their unique flavors, textures, and probiotic properties. Exporters often include countries with strong dairy traditions and advanced fermentation technologies, like the EU (e.g., Germany, Netherlands), the USA, and Eastern European nations where kefir is particularly popular. Importers range from countries seeking specific ingredients for baking or food processing to those with a growing consumer interest in fermented foods for health benefits. Key considerations in this trade involve maintaining product stability, managing diverse cultural preferences for fermented dairy, and adhering to specific health and labeling regulations, especially concerning live cultures. The versatility of these products makes them valuable in various culinary applications.
- Covers
- Liquid buttermilk
- Powdered buttermilk
- Kefir
- Curdled milk
- Sour cream (fermented)
- Cultured cream
- Acidified milk
- Fermented milk drinks (non-yogurt)
- Examples
- Lifeway Kefir
- Organic Valley Buttermilk
- Wallaby Organic Kefir
- Daisy Sour Cream (cultured)
- Ryazhenka (fermented baked milk)
Codes often confused with 0403.90
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 040320 (yogurt) due to both being fermented dairy products, but the distinction lies in the specific cultures used and the resulting product characteristics.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 040390, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 040390 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 12% 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 Germany $375M 14% of world exports
- 2 France $373M 14% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $258M 9.5% of world exports
World total: $2.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $291M 12% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $172M 6.9% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $167M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $2.5B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 code for 0403.90
Brazil does not split HS 0403.90: its NCM code is 0403.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 04.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0403.90
What is HS code 040390?
HS code 040390 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Dairy produce; buttermilk, curdled milk or cream, kephir, fermented or acidified milk or cream, whether or not concentrated or containing added sweetening, flavouring, fruit, nuts or cocoa (excluding yoghurt). This comprehensive HS code covers a wide array of fermented and acidified dairy products, excluding yogurt, such as buttermilk, curdled milk, kefir, and other similar preparations. These products are traded internationally for both direct consumption and as ingredients in the food industry, valued for their unique flavors, textures, and probiotic properties. Exporters often include countries with strong dairy traditions and advanced fermentation technologies, like the EU (e.g., Germany, Netherlands), the USA, and Eastern European nations where kefir is particularly popular. Importers range from countries seeking specific ingredients for baking or food processing to those with a growing consumer interest in fermented foods for health benefits. Key considerations in this trade involve maintaining product stability, managing diverse cultural preferences for fermented dairy, and adhering to specific health and labeling regulations, especially concerning live cultures. The versatility of these products makes them valuable in various culinary applications.
What products fall under HS code 040390?
Liquid buttermilk, Powdered buttermilk, Kefir, Curdled milk, Sour cream (fermented), Cultured cream, Acidified milk, Fermented milk drinks (non-yogurt)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 040390?
This code is often confused with 040320 (yogurt) due to both being fermented dairy products, but the distinction lies in the specific cultures used and the resulting product characteristics.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 040390?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 040390 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($375M, 14% of world exports), France ($373M) and Belgium ($258M). World exports came to about $2.7B, 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 040390?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 040390 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($291M, 12% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($172M) and the Netherlands ($167M). World imports came to about $2.5B, 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 040390 structured?
HS code 040390 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (04) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 040390?
In Brazil, HS code 040390 is NCM 0403.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.