HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0406.20 – Dairy produce; cheese of all kinds, grated or powdered
HS code 0406.20 is the 6-digit subheading for dairy produce, cheese of all kinds, grated or powdered. It is used for grated Parmesan, powdered cheddar, shredded mozzarella, cheese powder for snacks and dehydrated cheese.
What HS 0406.20 covers
This HS code is dedicated to cheese of all types that has been processed into a grated or powdered form. This transformation enhances convenience, extends shelf life, and facilitates use as an ingredient in other food products. The primary traders are food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and retail chains, who value these products for their versatility in toppings, sauces, and snack formulations. International trade often involves bulk quantities for industrial use or packaged retail products. Quality control focuses on consistency, moisture content, and flavor profile, ensuring suitability for various applications.
- Covers
- Grated Parmesan
- Powdered cheddar
- Shredded mozzarella
- Cheese powder for snacks
- Dehydrated cheese
- Grated Pecorino Romano
- Examples
- Kraft Grated Parmesan
- Sargento Shredded Cheese
- various snack food cheese powders
- Stella Grated Parmesan
Codes often confused with 0406.20
Common mistake. It's crucial to distinguish this from 040630 (processed cheese) as 040620 specifically refers to the physical form of being grated or powdered, not the processing method of melting and emulsifying.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 040620, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 040620 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, 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 Italy $1.1B 23% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $877M 19% of world exports
- 3 United States $792M 17% of world exports
World total: $4.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $501M 12% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $421M 10% of world imports
- 3 Germany $404M 10.0% of world imports
World total: $4.1B 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 0406.20
Brazil does not split HS 0406.20: its NCM code is 0406.20.00.
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 0406.20
What is HS code 040620?
HS code 040620 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Dairy produce; cheese of all kinds, grated or powdered. This HS code is dedicated to cheese of all types that has been processed into a grated or powdered form. This transformation enhances convenience, extends shelf life, and facilitates use as an ingredient in other food products. The primary traders are food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and retail chains, who value these products for their versatility in toppings, sauces, and snack formulations. International trade often involves bulk quantities for industrial use or packaged retail products. Quality control focuses on consistency, moisture content, and flavor profile, ensuring suitability for various applications.
What products fall under HS code 040620?
Grated Parmesan, powdered cheddar, shredded mozzarella, cheese powder for snacks, dehydrated cheese, grated Pecorino Romano
What are common misclassifications for HS code 040620?
It's crucial to distinguish this from 040630 (processed cheese) as 040620 specifically refers to the physical form of being grated or powdered, not the processing method of melting and emulsifying.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 040620?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 040620 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($1.1B, 23% of world exports), the Netherlands ($877M) and the United States ($792M). World exports came to about $4.7B, 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 040620?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 040620 in UN Comtrade data were France ($501M, 12% of world imports), the Netherlands ($421M) and Germany ($404M). World imports came to about $4.1B, 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 040620 structured?
HS code 040620 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 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 040620?
In Brazil, HS code 040620 is NCM 0406.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.