HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0406.30 – Dairy produce; cheese, processed (not grated or powdered)
HS code 0406.30 is the 6-digit subheading for dairy produce, cheese, processed (not grated or powdered). It is used for american cheese slices, cheese spreads, velveeta, processed cheese blocks and cheese sauces.
What HS 0406.30 covers
This category covers processed cheese, which is manufactured by melting and blending natural cheeses with emulsifying salts and other ingredients, but specifically excludes grated or powdered forms. These products are known for their consistent texture, extended shelf life, and excellent meltability, making them highly popular in fast-food, institutional catering, and retail markets. Major traders include large food corporations and dairy processors. International trade involves both bulk blocks for further processing and pre-packaged slices or spreads for direct consumer sales. The appeal lies in their convenience and uniform characteristics.
- Covers
- American cheese slices
- Cheese spreads
- Velveeta
- Processed cheese blocks
- Cheese sauces
- Individually wrapped cheese portions
- Examples
- Kraft Singles
- Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges
- Cheez Whiz
- Président Processed Cheese
Codes often confused with 0406.30
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 040620 (grated or powdered cheese) by its form and from 040690 (other non-processed cheese) by the specific processing steps involved in its creation.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 040630, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 040630 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 10% of world imports. Bahrain did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 27% of its exports here ($118M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $636M 16% of world exports
- 2 France $386M 9.9% of world exports
- 3 Bahrain* ~$309M 7.9% of world exports · partner records ↗
Bahrain did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 27% of its exports here ($118M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $3.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $415M 10% of world imports
- 2 France $232M 5.7% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $220M 5.4% 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 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 0406.30
Brazil does not split HS 0406.30: its NCM code is 0406.30.00.
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 0406.30
What is HS code 040630?
HS code 040630 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Dairy produce; cheese, processed (not grated or powdered). This category covers processed cheese, which is manufactured by melting and blending natural cheeses with emulsifying salts and other ingredients, but specifically excludes grated or powdered forms. These products are known for their consistent texture, extended shelf life, and excellent meltability, making them highly popular in fast-food, institutional catering, and retail markets. Major traders include large food corporations and dairy processors. International trade involves both bulk blocks for further processing and pre-packaged slices or spreads for direct consumer sales. The appeal lies in their convenience and uniform characteristics.
What products fall under HS code 040630?
American cheese slices, cheese spreads, Velveeta, processed cheese blocks, cheese sauces, individually wrapped cheese portions
What are common misclassifications for HS code 040630?
This code is distinct from 040620 (grated or powdered cheese) by its form and from 040690 (other non-processed cheese) by the specific processing steps involved in its creation.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 040630?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 040630 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($636M, 16% of world exports), France ($386M) and Bahrain (about $309M). World exports came to about $3.9B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Bahrain did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 27% of its exports here ($118M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 040630?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 040630 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($415M, 10% of world imports), France ($232M) and the United Kingdom ($220M). 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 040630 structured?
HS code 040630 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 (30) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 040630?
In Brazil, HS code 040630 is NCM 0406.30.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.