HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1701.99 – Sugars; sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter
HS code 1701.99 is the 6-digit subheading for sugars, sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter. It is used for granulated white sugar, powdered sugar, caster sugar, sugar cubes and refined industrial sugar.
What HS 1701.99 covers
This HS code represents the most common form of refined white sugar: chemically pure sucrose in solid form, without any added flavoring or coloring. It is a ubiquitous staple commodity, indispensable for virtually every segment of the food and beverage industry, as well as for direct consumer use. Trade involves both bulk shipments between refiners, distributors, and large-scale food manufacturers, and packaged retail products. Major importers include countries with high population density, extensive food processing sectors, or insufficient domestic sugar production, such as the USA, European Union nations, China, and Indonesia. Exporters are typically countries with robust sugar refining industries and efficient access to raw sugar, including Brazil, Thailand, India, and the EU (through significant intra-EU trade). Key factors influencing this trade are global sugar prices, refining capacity, logistical efficiency, and consumer demand for various sugar types like granulated, powdered, or cube sugar.
- Covers
- Granulated white sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Caster sugar
- Sugar cubes
- Refined industrial sugar
- Pure sucrose crystals
- Table sugar
- Examples
- Domino Granulated Sugar
- C&H Pure Cane Sugar
- Tate & Lyle White Sugar
- Nordzucker Refined Sugar
Codes often confused with 1701.99
Common mistake. Often confused with raw sugars (1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14) due to being 'sugar,' but the key is its refined, chemically pure state and lack of flavor/color.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 170199, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 170199 in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 6.8% 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 $2.0B 13% of world exports
- 2 Thailand $1.6B 10% of world exports
- 3 India $1.6B 10% of world exports
World total: $15.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $1.0B 6.8% of world imports
- 2 United States $603M 4.0% of world imports
- 3 Spain $561M 3.7% of world imports
World total: $15.1B 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 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 code for 1701.99
Brazil does not split HS 1701.99: its NCM code is 1701.99.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 17.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1701.99
What is HS code 170199?
HS code 170199 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sugars; sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter. This HS code represents the most common form of refined white sugar: chemically pure sucrose in solid form, without any added flavoring or coloring. It is a ubiquitous staple commodity, indispensable for virtually every segment of the food and beverage industry, as well as for direct consumer use. Trade involves both bulk shipments between refiners, distributors, and large-scale food manufacturers, and packaged retail products. Major importers include countries with high population density, extensive food processing sectors, or insufficient domestic sugar production, such as the USA, European Union nations, China, and Indonesia. Exporters are typically countries with robust sugar refining industries and efficient access to raw sugar, including Brazil, Thailand, India, and the EU (through significant intra-EU trade). Key factors influencing this trade are global sugar prices, refining capacity, logistical efficiency, and consumer demand for various sugar types like granulated, powdered, or cube sugar.
What products fall under HS code 170199?
Granulated white sugar, powdered sugar, caster sugar, sugar cubes, refined industrial sugar, pure sucrose crystals, table sugar
What are common misclassifications for HS code 170199?
Often confused with raw sugars (1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14) due to being 'sugar,' but the key is its refined, chemically pure state and lack of flavor/color.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 170199?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 170199 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($2.0B, 13% of world exports), Thailand ($1.6B) and India ($1.6B). World exports came to about $15.7B, 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 170199?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 170199 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($1.0B, 6.8% of world imports), the United States ($603M) and Spain ($561M). World imports came to about $15.1B, 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 170199 structured?
HS code 170199 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (17) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (99) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 170199?
In Brazil, HS code 170199 is NCM 1701.99.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.