HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1008.40 – Cereals; fonio (Digitaria spp.)
HS code 1008.40 is the 6-digit subheading for cereals, fonio (Digitaria spp.). It is used for white fonio grain, black fonio grain, fonio flour, pre-cooked fonio and fonio pasta.
What HS 1008.40 covers
Fonio, categorized under this HS code, is an ancient grain native to West Africa, gaining increasing international recognition for its nutritional profile and gluten-free properties. It is a staple food in many African countries and is now being traded globally as a specialty 'superfood.' Importers include specialty food distributors, health food retailers, and ethical trade organizations seeking unique and sustainable food products. Exporters are typically agricultural cooperatives and smallholder farmers from West African nations, often supported by fair trade initiatives. Key aspects of this trade involve navigating traditional cultivation methods, addressing processing challenges (due to its small grain size), and meeting growing demand from consumers interested in diverse, nutritious, and culturally significant grains. Its resilience to harsh conditions also makes it a focus for sustainable agriculture.
- Covers
- White fonio grain
- Black fonio grain
- Fonio flour
- Pre-cooked fonio
- Fonio pasta
- Fonio flakes
- Examples
- Yolélé Fonio
- Aduna Fonio
- various West African brands
- specialty health food stores
Codes often confused with 1008.40
Common mistake. Could be confused with 100890 (other cereals n.e.c.) due to its less common status, or even 1006 (rice) if its small grain size leads to misidentification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 100840, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 100840 in UN Comtrade data was Mali, with about 50% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 58% 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 Mali* ~$841K 50% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Senegal $350K 21% of world exports
- 3 Guinea* ~$125K 7.4% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.7M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $1.0M 58% of world imports
- 2 United States $374K 21% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $89K 5.0% of world imports
World total: $1.8M 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 codes for 1008.40 2
Brazil splits HS 1008.40 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 10.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1008.40
What is HS code 100840?
HS code 100840 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cereals; fonio (Digitaria spp.). Fonio, categorized under this HS code, is an ancient grain native to West Africa, gaining increasing international recognition for its nutritional profile and gluten-free properties. It is a staple food in many African countries and is now being traded globally as a specialty 'superfood.' Importers include specialty food distributors, health food retailers, and ethical trade organizations seeking unique and sustainable food products. Exporters are typically agricultural cooperatives and smallholder farmers from West African nations, often supported by fair trade initiatives. Key aspects of this trade involve navigating traditional cultivation methods, addressing processing challenges (due to its small grain size), and meeting growing demand from consumers interested in diverse, nutritious, and culturally significant grains. Its resilience to harsh conditions also makes it a focus for sustainable agriculture.
What products fall under HS code 100840?
White fonio grain, Black fonio grain, Fonio flour, Pre-cooked fonio, Fonio pasta, Fonio flakes
What are common misclassifications for HS code 100840?
Could be confused with 100890 (other cereals n.e.c.) due to its less common status, or even 1006 (rice) if its small grain size leads to misidentification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 100840?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 100840 in UN Comtrade data were Mali (about $841K, 50% of world exports), Senegal ($350K) and Guinea (about $125K). World exports came to about $1.7M, 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 100840?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 100840 in UN Comtrade data were France ($1.0M, 58% of world imports), the United States ($374K) and the Netherlands ($89K). World imports came to about $1.8M, 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 100840 structured?
HS code 100840 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (10) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 100840?
Brazil splits HS code 100840 into 2 NCM codes: 1008.40.10 (Fonio seed for sowing), 1008.40.90 (Fonio, not for sowing). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.