HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0406.90 – Dairy produce; cheese (not grated, powdered or processed), n.e.c. in heading no. 0406

HS code 0406.90 is the 6-digit subheading for dairy produce, cheese (not grated, powdered or processed), n.e.c. in heading no. 0406. It is used for cheddar, gouda, swiss, brie and camembert.

What HS 0406.90 covers

This is a broad 'catch-all' category for all other cheeses not specifically covered by the preceding codes in heading 0406, meaning they are not fresh, grated, powdered, processed, or blue-veined. This encompasses a vast array of natural, ripened, and fermented cheeses, including most traditional hard, semi-hard, and soft varieties. International trade involves a diverse range of dairy producers, distributors, and retailers. Key considerations include aging, milk type, origin, and specific regional characteristics. This code represents a significant portion of global cheese trade, reflecting the immense variety of cheeses produced and consumed worldwide.

Covers
  • Cheddar
  • Gouda
  • Swiss
  • Brie
  • Camembert
  • Feta
  • Provolone
  • Emmental
  • Gruyère
  • Edam
Examples
  • Tillamook Cheddar
  • Beemster Gouda
  • Président Brie
  • Feta PDO
  • Parmigiano Reggiano

Codes often confused with 0406.90

Common mistake. This code is often a default, but care must be taken to ensure the cheese does not fit into 040610 (fresh), 040620 (grated/powdered), 040630 (processed), or 040640 (blue-veined).

0406.10Dairy produce; fresh cheese (including whey cheese), not fermented, and curd0406.20Dairy produce; cheese of all kinds, grated or powdered0406.30Dairy produce; cheese, processed (not grated or powdered)0406.40Dairy produce; cheese, blue-veined and other cheese containing veins produced by Penicillium roqueforti (not grated, powdered or processed)

Top exporters and importers of HS code 040690, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 040690 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, 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. 1 Netherlands $4.7B
  2. 2 Germany $3.5B
  3. 3 France $3.1B

World total: $27.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $5.2B
  2. 2 France $1.8B
  3. 3 Italy $1.8B

World total: $28.3B 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 0406.90 4

Brazil splits HS 0406.90 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 0406.90.10 Hard cheese, moisture below 36%Com um teor de umidade inferior a 36,0 %, em peso (massa dura)
  2. 0406.90.20 Semi-hard cheese, moisture 36% to under 46%Com um teor de umidade igual ou superior a 36,0 % e inferior a 46,0 %, em peso (massa semidura)
  3. 0406.90.30 Soft cheese, moisture 46% to under 55%Com um teor de umidade igual ou superior a 46,0 % e inferior a 55,0 %, em peso (massa macia)
  4. 0406.90.90 Other cheese, moisture 55% or moreOutros

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 0406.90

What is HS code 040690?

HS code 040690 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Dairy produce; cheese (not grated, powdered or processed), n.e.c. in heading no. 0406. This is a broad 'catch-all' category for all other cheeses not specifically covered by the preceding codes in heading 0406, meaning they are not fresh, grated, powdered, processed, or blue-veined. This encompasses a vast array of natural, ripened, and fermented cheeses, including most traditional hard, semi-hard, and soft varieties. International trade involves a diverse range of dairy producers, distributors, and retailers. Key considerations include aging, milk type, origin, and specific regional characteristics. This code represents a significant portion of global cheese trade, reflecting the immense variety of cheeses produced and consumed worldwide.

What products fall under HS code 040690?

Cheddar, Gouda, Swiss, Brie, Camembert, Feta, Provolone, Emmental, Gruyère, Edam

What are common misclassifications for HS code 040690?

This code is often a default, but care must be taken to ensure the cheese does not fit into 040610 (fresh), 040620 (grated/powdered), 040630 (processed), or 040640 (blue-veined).

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 040690?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 040690 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($4.7B, 17% of world exports), Germany ($3.5B) and France ($3.1B). World exports came to about $27.5B, 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 040690?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 040690 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($5.2B, 18% of world imports), France ($1.8B) and Italy ($1.8B). World imports came to about $28.3B, 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 040690 structured?

HS code 040690 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 040690?

Brazil splits HS code 040690 into 4 NCM codes: 0406.90.10 (Hard cheese, moisture below 36%), 0406.90.20 (Semi-hard cheese, moisture 36% to under 46%), 0406.90.30 (Soft cheese, moisture 46% to under 55%), 0406.90.90 (Other cheese, moisture 55% or more). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.