HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0405.20 – Dairy produce; dairy spreads
HS code 0405.20 is the 6-digit subheading for dairy produce, dairy spreads. It is used for butter blends, margarine-butter blends, cream cheese spreads, processed cheese spreads and flavored butter spreads.
What HS 0405.20 covers
Dairy spreads, covered by this HS code, represent a diverse category of fat-based products derived from milk, often blended with other ingredients to create specific textures and flavors. These products serve as versatile alternatives to pure butter, used for spreading, cooking, and baking across households and the food service industry globally. The trade involves both branded consumer products and bulk ingredients for food manufacturers. Major dairy-producing nations in Europe, North America, and Oceania are key players in both exporting and importing these spreads. Consumer trends towards healthier options, convenience, and plant-based alternatives also influence the innovation and market dynamics within this segment, leading to a variety of dairy and dairy-blend spreads.
- Covers
- Butter blends
- Margarine-butter blends
- Cream cheese spreads
- Processed cheese spreads
- Flavored butter spreads
- Ghee spreads
- Whipped butter spreads.
- Examples
- I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!
- Country Crock
- Land O'Lakes Butter with Canola Oil
- Kerrygold Butter Spreads
- Lurpak Spreadable.
Codes often confused with 0405.20
Common mistake. This code specifically covers dairy spreads, distinguishing them from pure butter (040510) or other non-dairy spreads (e.g., vegetable fat spreads in Chapter 15) which lack significant dairy content.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 040520, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 040520 in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 18% 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 Saudi Arabia $74M 22% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $47M 14% of world exports
- 3 New Zealand $28M 8.4% of world exports
World total: $332M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $72M 18% of world imports
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$44M 11% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 South Korea $39M 9.9% of world imports
World total: $396M 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 code for 0405.20
Brazil does not split HS 0405.20: its NCM code is 0405.20.00.
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 0405.20
What is HS code 040520?
HS code 040520 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Dairy produce; dairy spreads. Dairy spreads, covered by this HS code, represent a diverse category of fat-based products derived from milk, often blended with other ingredients to create specific textures and flavors. These products serve as versatile alternatives to pure butter, used for spreading, cooking, and baking across households and the food service industry globally. The trade involves both branded consumer products and bulk ingredients for food manufacturers. Major dairy-producing nations in Europe, North America, and Oceania are key players in both exporting and importing these spreads. Consumer trends towards healthier options, convenience, and plant-based alternatives also influence the innovation and market dynamics within this segment, leading to a variety of dairy and dairy-blend spreads.
What products fall under HS code 040520?
Butter blends, margarine-butter blends, cream cheese spreads, processed cheese spreads, flavored butter spreads, ghee spreads, whipped butter spreads.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 040520?
This code specifically covers dairy spreads, distinguishing them from pure butter (040510) or other non-dairy spreads (e.g., vegetable fat spreads in Chapter 15) which lack significant dairy content.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 040520?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 040520 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($74M, 22% of world exports), Belgium ($47M) and New Zealand ($28M). World exports came to about $332M, 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 040520?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 040520 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($72M, 18% of world imports), the United Arab Emirates (about $44M) and South Korea ($39M). World imports came to about $396M, 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 040520 structured?
HS code 040520 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 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 040520?
In Brazil, HS code 040520 is NCM 0405.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.