HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0406.10 – Dairy produce; fresh cheese (including whey cheese), not fermented, and curd
HS code 0406.10 is the 6-digit subheading for dairy produce, fresh cheese (including whey cheese), not fermented, and curd. It is used for cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta, mascarpone and quark.
What HS 0406.10 covers
This category covers fresh, unripened cheeses, including whey cheese and curd, which have not undergone fermentation processes. These cheeses are characterized by their high moisture content, mild flavor, and relatively short shelf life, making rapid international logistics essential. Major players in this trade include dairy companies, food service suppliers, and retailers. They are widely used in culinary applications, from desserts and salads to savory dishes, and are popular for direct consumption. The trade often involves specialized refrigerated transport to maintain product integrity and freshness across borders.
- Covers
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese
- Ricotta
- Mascarpone
- Quark
- Paneer
- Fresh mozzarella
- Fromage blanc
- Examples
- Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- Galbani Ricotta
- Arla Cottage Cheese
- Amul Paneer
Codes often confused with 0406.10
Common mistake. This code is differentiated from 040690 (other non-processed cheese) by its 'fresh' and 'not fermented' characteristics, which are critical for classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 040610, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 040610 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 11% 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 $2.8B 21% of world exports
- 2 Italy $2.4B 18% of world exports
- 3 Denmark $1.3B 9.5% of world exports
World total: $13.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $1.3B 11% of world imports
- 2 France $1.1B 8.9% of world imports
- 3 Germany $1.0B 8.3% of world imports
World total: $12.7B 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 codes for 0406.10 2
Brazil splits HS 0406.10 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 04.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0406.10
What is HS code 040610?
HS code 040610 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Dairy produce; fresh cheese (including whey cheese), not fermented, and curd. This category covers fresh, unripened cheeses, including whey cheese and curd, which have not undergone fermentation processes. These cheeses are characterized by their high moisture content, mild flavor, and relatively short shelf life, making rapid international logistics essential. Major players in this trade include dairy companies, food service suppliers, and retailers. They are widely used in culinary applications, from desserts and salads to savory dishes, and are popular for direct consumption. The trade often involves specialized refrigerated transport to maintain product integrity and freshness across borders.
What products fall under HS code 040610?
Cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta, mascarpone, quark, paneer, fresh mozzarella, fromage blanc
What are common misclassifications for HS code 040610?
This code is differentiated from 040690 (other non-processed cheese) by its 'fresh' and 'not fermented' characteristics, which are critical for classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 040610?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 040610 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($2.8B, 21% of world exports), Italy ($2.4B) and Denmark ($1.3B). World exports came to about $13.6B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 040610?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 040610 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($1.3B, 11% of world imports), France ($1.1B) and Germany ($1.0B). World imports came to about $12.7B, 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.
How is HS code 040610 structured?
HS code 040610 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (04) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) 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 040610?
Brazil splits HS code 040610 into 2 NCM codes: 0406.10.10 (Fresh mozzarella cheese), 0406.10.90 (Other fresh cheese and curd). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.