HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 04.07 – Birds' eggs, in shell; fresh, preserved or cooked
What HS 04.07 covers
HS Heading 0407 covers "Birds' eggs, in shell; fresh, preserved or cooked." This classification is specific to eggs that retain their natural shell, regardless of their state of freshness, preservation method, or whether they have been cooked. The scope includes common chicken eggs, as well as eggs from ducks, geese, turkeys, and quails. "Fresh" eggs are those that have not undergone any preservation treatment. "Preserved" eggs typically refer to those treated to extend shelf life, such as limed eggs, salted duck eggs (like century eggs), or eggs coated with oil. "Cooked" eggs refer to those that have been boiled or steamed but remain in their shell, such as hard-boiled eggs. Crucially, this heading differentiates eggs in shell from those removed from their shell (0408). For trade compliance, accurate classification under 0407 is vital due to strict sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations, potential import restrictions (e.g., due to avian influenza outbreaks), and specific labeling requirements (e.g., origin, farming method, weight). This heading is a fundamental component of Chapter 4, which encompasses dairy products, birds' eggs, natural honey, and other edible products of animal origin, highlighting the importance of eggs as a direct animal product for human consumption.
- Covers
- Fresh chicken eggs
- Fresh duck eggs
- Fresh quail eggs
- Fresh goose eggs
- Fresh turkey eggs
- Hard-boiled chicken eggs in shell
- Preserved salted duck eggs in shell
- Preserved century eggs in shell
- Fertilized hatching chicken eggs (in shell)
- Organic chicken eggs in shell
- Cage-free chicken eggs in shell
- Free-range chicken eggs in shell
- Jumbo chicken eggs in shell
- Medium chicken eggs in shell
- Small chicken eggs in shell
- Pasteurized eggs in shell
- Brown chicken eggs
- White chicken eggs
- Olive-colored duck eggs
- Speckled quail eggs
- Examples
A major U.S. poultry producer exports large quantities of fresh chicken eggs to Mexico via refrigerated trucks, complying with both USDA and Mexican agricultural import regulations. An EU-based distributor ships trays of hard-boiled chicken eggs in shell from the Netherlands to Germany for a ready-meal manufacturer, benefiting from the single market's streamlined customs procedures. A Chinese food company exports traditional preserved salted duck eggs in shell to various Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam and Thailand, meeting specific cultural demands and food safety standards. An Australian poultry farm imports specific breeds of fertilized chicken eggs in shell from New Zealand for breeding purposes, subject to strict biosecurity protocols. A Japanese supermarket chain imports fresh, organic quail eggs in shell from a specialized farm in France, catering to a niche gourmet market.
Subheadings under 04.07 5
Codes often confused with 04.07
Common mistake. A common misclassification error involves distinguishing between eggs in shell (0407) and eggs not in shell (0408). Traders sometimes incorrectly classify liquid egg products or egg powders under 0407. Another mistake is classifying eggs that are part of a prepared foodstuff (e.g., egg salad, egg rolls) under 0407; such items typically fall under Chapter 16 or 21, as they are no longer simple eggs in shell. Furthermore, live poultry, even if intended for egg-laying, belongs to Chapter 01, not 0407, which is solely for the egg itself.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 0407, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 0407 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% 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 Netherlands $1.2B 17% of world exports
- 2 United States $744M 10% of world exports
- 3 Poland $721M 9.8% of world exports
World total: $7.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $1.1B 14% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $758M 10% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $318M 4.3% of world imports
World total: $7.5B 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.
Questions about HS 04.07
What is HS code 0407?
HS code 0407 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Birds' eggs, in shell; fresh, preserved or cooked. HS Heading 0407 covers "Birds' eggs, in shell; fresh, preserved or cooked." This classification is specific to eggs that retain their natural shell, regardless of their state of freshness, preservation method, or whether they have been cooked. The scope includes common chicken eggs, as well as eggs from ducks, geese, turkeys, and quails. "Fresh" eggs are those that have not undergone any preservation treatment. "Preserved" eggs typically refer to those treated to extend shelf life, such as limed eggs, salted duck eggs (like century eggs), or eggs coated with oil. "Cooked" eggs refer to those that have been boiled or steamed but remain in their shell, such as hard-boiled eggs. Crucially, this heading differentiates eggs in shell from those removed from their shell (0408). For trade compliance, accurate classification under 0407 is vital due to strict sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations, potential import restrictions (e.g., due to avian influenza outbreaks), and specific labeling requirements (e.g., origin, farming method, weight). This heading is a fundamental component of Chapter 4, which encompasses dairy products, birds' eggs, natural honey, and other edible products of animal origin, highlighting the importance of eggs as a direct animal product for human consumption.
What products fall under HS code 0407?
Fresh chicken eggs, fresh duck eggs, fresh quail eggs, fresh goose eggs, fresh turkey eggs, hard-boiled chicken eggs in shell, preserved salted duck eggs in shell, preserved century eggs in shell, fertilized hatching chicken eggs (in shell), organic chicken eggs in shell, cage-free chicken eggs in shell, free-range chicken eggs in shell, jumbo chicken eggs in shell, medium chicken eggs in shell, small chicken eggs in shell, pasteurized eggs in shell, brown chicken eggs, white chicken eggs, olive-colored duck eggs, speckled quail eggs
What are common misclassifications for HS code 0407?
A common misclassification error involves distinguishing between eggs in shell (0407) and eggs not in shell (0408). Traders sometimes incorrectly classify liquid egg products or egg powders under 0407. Another mistake is classifying eggs that are part of a prepared foodstuff (e.g., egg salad, egg rolls) under 0407; such items typically fall under Chapter 16 or 21, as they are no longer simple eggs in shell. Furthermore, live poultry, even if intended for egg-laying, belongs to Chapter 01, not 0407, which is solely for the egg itself.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 0407?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 0407 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($1.2B, 17% of world exports), the United States ($744M) and Poland ($721M). World exports came to about $7.4B, 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 0407?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 0407 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.1B, 14% of world imports), the Netherlands ($758M) and Hong Kong ($318M). World imports came to about $7.5B, 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.
How is HS code 0407 structured?
HS code 0407 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 04 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (04) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (07) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.