HS code · 2-digit chapter
HS Code 17 – Sugars and sugar confectionery
What HS 17 covers
Chapter 17 of the Harmonized System (HS) is dedicated to "Sugars and sugar confectionery," a vital classification for the global food industry. This chapter encompasses a wide range of products, from raw and refined sugars derived from cane and beet to a vast array of finished sugar confectionery items. Its scope primarily covers chemically pure sugars in solid form, such as sucrose, lactose, maltose, glucose, and fructose, whether in solid form or as syrups, and also includes molasses resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar. The boundaries of this classification are critical, distinguishing primary sugar products from more complex food preparations where sugar is merely an ingredient, or from products containing cocoa, which fall under Chapter 18. Key sub-categories include HS 1701 for cane or beet sugar, HS 1702 for other sugars (like lactose, maple sugar, glucose, fructose) and sugar syrups, HS 1703 for molasses, and HS 1704 for sugar confectionery that does not contain cocoa. This classification is paramount for trade compliance due to the high tariffs, quotas, and specific import regulations often imposed on sugar and sugar-containing products by many countries, driven by agricultural protectionism and health policies. Historically, sugar has been a commodity of immense global trade significance, shaping economies and trade routes for centuries. Understanding this chapter is essential for accurate duty assessment, navigating preferential trade agreements, and ensuring adherence to health and safety standards for consumer goods.
- Covers
- Raw cane sugar
- Refined white beet sugar
- Brown sugar
- Powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- Sugar cubes
- Rock candy
- Invert sugar
- Lactose
- Maltose
- Glucose syrup
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Maple sugar
- Maple syrup
- Molasses
- Treacle
- Hard candies
- Gummy bears
- Jelly beans
- Lollipops
- Toffees
- Caramels
- Marzipan (without cocoa)
- Nougat (without cocoa)
- Sugar-coated almonds (without chocolate)
- Chewing gum (sweetened)
- Examples
A large bulk shipment of raw cane sugar (HS 1701) is exported from Brazil, a major global producer, to a refinery in the European Union via transatlantic cargo ships, where it will be processed into white granulated sugar. Separately, a German confectionery manufacturer regularly exports pallet loads of assorted hard candies and jelly beans (HS 1704) to distributors across the United States and Canada, utilizing containerized ocean freight across the North Atlantic. Furthermore, a Canadian exporter ships specialty maple sugar and maple syrup (HS 1702) to high-end grocery chains in Japan, navigating specific food safety and labeling requirements for the Asian market. An American company imports several tons of molasses (HS 1703) from various Caribbean nations for use in animal feed production and industrial fermentation processes. Finally, an Indian company exports traditional sugar-based sweets and crystal sugar (HS 1704, 1701) to communities in the Middle East, leveraging established trade routes through the Arabian Sea.
Headings in chapter 17 4
Codes often confused with 17
Common mistake. Common classification errors for Chapter 17 often involve distinguishing pure sugar products from more complex food preparations. Traders frequently confuse sugar confectionery (HS 1704) with chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa (HS 1806); if the product contains any significant amount of cocoa, it typically moves to Chapter 18. Another mistake is classifying sugar-containing food preparations not primarily sugar, such as dessert mixes or certain dietetic preparations, under Chapter 17 instead of Chapter 21 (Miscellaneous edible preparations, e.g., HS 2106). Similarly, fruits preserved by sugar (e.g., candied fruits) can sometimes be incorrectly placed in 1704 instead of Chapter 20 (Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants), depending on whether the fruit or sugar is the predominant character-giving component.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 17, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 17 in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.9% 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 Brazil $14.3B 23% of world exports
- 2 Germany $4.2B 6.7% of world exports
- 3 China $3.4B 5.5% of world exports
World total: $62.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $6.5B 9.9% of world imports
- 2 China $3.0B 4.6% of world imports
- 3 Germany $2.7B 4.1% of world imports
World total: $65.6B 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 17
What is HS code 17?
HS code 17 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Sugars and sugar confectionery. Chapter 17 of the Harmonized System (HS) is dedicated to "Sugars and sugar confectionery," a vital classification for the global food industry. This chapter encompasses a wide range of products, from raw and refined sugars derived from cane and beet to a vast array of finished sugar confectionery items. Its scope primarily covers chemically pure sugars in solid form, such as sucrose, lactose, maltose, glucose, and fructose, whether in solid form or as syrups, and also includes molasses resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar. The boundaries of this classification are critical, distinguishing primary sugar products from more complex food preparations where sugar is merely an ingredient, or from products containing cocoa, which fall under Chapter 18. Key sub-categories include HS 1701 for cane or beet sugar, HS 1702 for other sugars (like lactose, maple sugar, glucose, fructose) and sugar syrups, HS 1703 for molasses, and HS 1704 for sugar confectionery that does not contain cocoa. This classification is paramount for trade compliance due to the high tariffs, quotas, and specific import regulations often imposed on sugar and sugar-containing products by many countries, driven by agricultural protectionism and health policies. Historically, sugar has been a commodity of immense global trade significance, shaping economies and trade routes for centuries. Understanding this chapter is essential for accurate duty assessment, navigating preferential trade agreements, and ensuring adherence to health and safety standards for consumer goods.
What products fall under HS code 17?
Raw cane sugar, refined white beet sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar (icing sugar), sugar cubes, rock candy, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, glucose syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, maple sugar, maple syrup, molasses, treacle, hard candies, gummy bears, jelly beans, lollipops, toffees, caramels, marzipan (without cocoa), nougat (without cocoa), sugar-coated almonds (without chocolate), chewing gum (sweetened)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 17?
Common classification errors for Chapter 17 often involve distinguishing pure sugar products from more complex food preparations. Traders frequently confuse sugar confectionery (HS 1704) with chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa (HS 1806); if the product contains any significant amount of cocoa, it typically moves to Chapter 18. Another mistake is classifying sugar-containing food preparations not primarily sugar, such as dessert mixes or certain dietetic preparations, under Chapter 17 instead of Chapter 21 (Miscellaneous edible preparations, e.g., HS 2106). Similarly, fruits preserved by sugar (e.g., candied fruits) can sometimes be incorrectly placed in 1704 instead of Chapter 20 (Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants), depending on whether the fruit or sugar is the predominant character-giving component.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 17?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 17 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($14.3B, 23% of world exports), Germany ($4.2B) and China ($3.4B). World exports came to about $62.7B, 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 17?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 17 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($6.5B, 9.9% of world imports), China ($3.0B) and Germany ($2.7B). World imports came to about $65.6B, 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 17 structured?
HS code 17 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.