HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0405.10 – Dairy produce; derived from milk, butter
HS code 0405.10 is the 6-digit subheading for dairy produce, derived from milk, butter. It is used for unsalted butter, salted butter, clarified butter (ghee), butter oil and butter blends (high butter content).
What HS 0405.10 covers
This HS code specifically covers butter, a fundamental dairy product derived from milk, traded globally in various forms. Butter is a staple in cuisines worldwide and a crucial ingredient in the food industry, particularly in baking, confectionery, and processed foods. Major exporters are typically countries with large dairy herds and efficient butter production facilities, such as New Zealand, the EU (especially Ireland, Netherlands, France), and the USA. Importers include nations with insufficient domestic butter production, those seeking specific quality or flavor profiles, or countries with high demand for fat in their food industries, such as China, Russia, and various Middle Eastern countries. Key factors in this trade include fat content, moisture levels, salt content (salted vs. unsalted), packaging formats (blocks, tubs), and compliance with international food safety and quality standards. The global butter market is influenced by dairy commodity prices, consumer preferences for natural fats, and seasonal production cycles.
- Covers
- Unsalted butter
- Salted butter
- Clarified butter (ghee)
- Butter oil
- Butter blends (high butter content)
- Cultured butter
- European-style butter
- Whipped butter
- Examples
- Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter
- Anchor Butter
- Lurpak Butter
- Land O'Lakes Butter
- President Butter
Codes often confused with 0405.10
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 040520 (dairy spreads) if the product is a butter blend with significant non-dairy fats, or with 040590 (other fats and oils derived from milk) if it's a highly processed milk fat product not traditionally considered butter.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 040510, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 040510 in UN Comtrade data was New Zealand, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 16% 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 New Zealand $2.2B 19% of world exports
- 2 Ireland $2.1B 18% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $1.5B 13% of world exports
World total: $11.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $1.8B 16% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $982M 8.7% of world imports
- 3 China $940M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $11.2B 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 0405.10
Brazil does not split HS 0405.10: its NCM code is 0405.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 04.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0405.10
What is HS code 040510?
HS code 040510 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Dairy produce; derived from milk, butter. This HS code specifically covers butter, a fundamental dairy product derived from milk, traded globally in various forms. Butter is a staple in cuisines worldwide and a crucial ingredient in the food industry, particularly in baking, confectionery, and processed foods. Major exporters are typically countries with large dairy herds and efficient butter production facilities, such as New Zealand, the EU (especially Ireland, Netherlands, France), and the USA. Importers include nations with insufficient domestic butter production, those seeking specific quality or flavor profiles, or countries with high demand for fat in their food industries, such as China, Russia, and various Middle Eastern countries. Key factors in this trade include fat content, moisture levels, salt content (salted vs. unsalted), packaging formats (blocks, tubs), and compliance with international food safety and quality standards. The global butter market is influenced by dairy commodity prices, consumer preferences for natural fats, and seasonal production cycles.
What products fall under HS code 040510?
Unsalted butter, Salted butter, Clarified butter (ghee), Butter oil, Butter blends (high butter content), Cultured butter, European-style butter, Whipped butter
What are common misclassifications for HS code 040510?
This code can be confused with 040520 (dairy spreads) if the product is a butter blend with significant non-dairy fats, or with 040590 (other fats and oils derived from milk) if it's a highly processed milk fat product not traditionally considered butter.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 040510?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 040510 in UN Comtrade data were New Zealand ($2.2B, 19% of world exports), Ireland ($2.1B) and the Netherlands ($1.5B). World exports came to about $11.7B, 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 040510?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 040510 in UN Comtrade data were France ($1.8B, 16% of world imports), the Netherlands ($982M) and China ($940M). World imports came to about $11.2B, 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 040510 structured?
HS code 040510 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (04) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 040510?
In Brazil, HS code 040510 is NCM 0405.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.