HS code · 4-digit heading

HS Code 17.02 – Sugars, including lactose, maltose, glucose or fructose in solid form; sugar syrups without added flavouring or colouring matter; artificial honey, whether or not mixed with natural honey; caramel

What HS 17.02 covers

Heading 1702 encompasses a broad range of sugars beyond cane and beet sucrose, specifically including lactose, maltose, glucose, and fructose, all in solid form. Crucially, this heading also covers sugar syrups that have not had any flavouring or colouring matter added, such as pure maple syrup, corn syrup, agave syrup, and invert sugar syrup. Furthermore, artificial honey, whether or not mixed with natural honey, and caramel (unflavored/uncolored) find their classification here. This heading is vital for industries like food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and confectionery, which utilize these specialized sugars and syrups for various functional properties. The scope is defined by the chemical nature of the sugar (e.g., monosaccharides, disaccharides other than sucrose from cane/beet) or the form of the syrup (unflavored/uncolored). It explicitly excludes the primary cane and beet sucrose of 1701 and flavored/colored syrups which would fall under Chapter 21. For trade compliance, understanding the specific sugar type, its form (solid vs. syrup), and the absence of added flavor/color is paramount to correct classification, impacting duties and regulatory adherence. Historically, the diversification of sugar sources and processing has enabled a wider array of food products and industrial applications. This heading sits within Section IV, 'Prepared Foodstuffs,' recognizing these sugars and syrups as fundamental ingredients or prepared forms ready for further use in the food industry.

Covers
  • Glucose syrup (unflavored/uncolored)
  • Fructose in solid form
  • Lactose powder
  • Maltose crystals
  • Pure maple syrup
  • Corn syrup (unflavored/uncolored)
  • High-fructose corn syrup
  • Artificial honey
  • Caramel (solid/liquid, unflavored)
  • Agave syrup (pure)
  • Date syrup (unflavored/uncolored)
  • Rice syrup
  • Invert sugar syrup
  • Sugar alcohol (e.g., sorbitol, xylitol) in solid form
  • Chemically pure glucose
  • Chemically pure fructose
  • Chemically pure lactose
  • Chemically pure maltose
  • Pure trehalose
  • Pure palatinose
  • Pure isomaltulose
  • Maltodextrin (solid).
Examples

A US beverage company imports large quantities of high-fructose corn syrup from Mexico for use in its soft drinks, leveraging regional trade agreements. A Canadian producer exports pure maple syrup to countries worldwide, including the United States and various European nations, subject to strict origin and quality certifications. A European pharmaceutical firm imports lactose powder from New Zealand for use as an excipient in medication manufacturing. A Chinese food processor exports glucose syrup to Southeast Asian markets for confectionery and baking applications.

Subheadings under 17.02 8

1702.11Sugars; lactose and lactose syrup, containing by weight 99% or more lactose, expressed as anhydrous lactose, calculated on the dry matter1702.19Sugars; lactose and lactose syrup, containing by weight less than 99% lactose, expressed as anhydrous lactose, calculated on the dry matter1702.20Sugars; maple sugar, chemically pure, in solid form; maple syrup, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter1702.30Sugars; glucose and glucose syrup, not containing fructose or containing in the dry state less than 20% by weight of fructose, the syrup not containing added flavouring or colouring matter1702.40Sugars; glucose and glucose syrup, containing in the dry state at least 20% but less than 50% by weight of fructose, excluding invert sugar, the syrup not containing added flavouring or colouring matter1702.50Sugars; fructose, chemically pure, in solid form1702.60Sugars; fructose, other than chemically pure fructose, and fructose syrup (containing in the dry state more than 50% by weight of fructose), excluding invert sugar1702.90Sugars; n.e.c. in heading no. 1702, including invert sugar and other sugar and sugar syrup blends containing, in the dry state, 50% by weight of fructose

12 Brazil NCM codes in heading 17.02 →

Codes often confused with 17.02

Common mistake. Traders often confuse 1702 with 1701 ('Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form'). The key distinction is that 1702 covers *other* sugars (like glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose) in solid form, and sugar syrups. If it's cane or beet sucrose in solid form, it belongs to 1701. A critical error is misclassifying sugar syrups with added flavoring or coloring. These *do not* belong to 1702; they are classified under 2106 ('Food preparations not elsewhere specified'). For example, plain corn syrup is 1702, but flavored corn syrup (e.g., strawberry-flavored) is 2106. Lastly, natural honey (unmixed) is classified under 0409, not 1702, which covers artificial honey or mixtures with natural honey.

17.01Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form21.06Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included04.09Honey; natural

Top exporters and importers of HS code 1702, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 1702 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 10% 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 United States $1.7B
  2. 2 China $1.4B
  3. 3 France $1.0B

World total: $9.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $1.1B
  2. 2 Mexico $964M
  3. 3 Germany $883M

World total: $10.7B 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 17.02

What is HS code 1702?

HS code 1702 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sugars, including lactose, maltose, glucose or fructose in solid form; sugar syrups without added flavouring or colouring matter; artificial honey, whether or not mixed with natural honey; caramel. Heading 1702 encompasses a broad range of sugars beyond cane and beet sucrose, specifically including lactose, maltose, glucose, and fructose, all in solid form. Crucially, this heading also covers sugar syrups that have not had any flavouring or colouring matter added, such as pure maple syrup, corn syrup, agave syrup, and invert sugar syrup. Furthermore, artificial honey, whether or not mixed with natural honey, and caramel (unflavored/uncolored) find their classification here. This heading is vital for industries like food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and confectionery, which utilize these specialized sugars and syrups for various functional properties. The scope is defined by the chemical nature of the sugar (e.g., monosaccharides, disaccharides other than sucrose from cane/beet) or the form of the syrup (unflavored/uncolored). It explicitly excludes the primary cane and beet sucrose of 1701 and flavored/colored syrups which would fall under Chapter 21. For trade compliance, understanding the specific sugar type, its form (solid vs. syrup), and the absence of added flavor/color is paramount to correct classification, impacting duties and regulatory adherence. Historically, the diversification of sugar sources and processing has enabled a wider array of food products and industrial applications. This heading sits within Section IV, 'Prepared Foodstuffs,' recognizing these sugars and syrups as fundamental ingredients or prepared forms ready for further use in the food industry.

What products fall under HS code 1702?

Glucose syrup (unflavored/uncolored), fructose in solid form, lactose powder, maltose crystals, pure maple syrup, corn syrup (unflavored/uncolored), high-fructose corn syrup, artificial honey, caramel (solid/liquid, unflavored), agave syrup (pure), date syrup (unflavored/uncolored), rice syrup, invert sugar syrup, sugar alcohol (e.g., sorbitol, xylitol) in solid form, chemically pure glucose, chemically pure fructose, chemically pure lactose, chemically pure maltose, pure trehalose, pure palatinose, pure isomaltulose, maltodextrin (solid).

What are common misclassifications for HS code 1702?

Traders often confuse 1702 with 1701 ('Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form'). The key distinction is that 1702 covers *other* sugars (like glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose) in solid form, and sugar syrups. If it's cane or beet sucrose in solid form, it belongs to 1701. A critical error is misclassifying sugar syrups with added flavoring or coloring. These *do not* belong to 1702; they are classified under 2106 ('Food preparations not elsewhere specified'). For example, plain corn syrup is 1702, but flavored corn syrup (e.g., strawberry-flavored) is 2106. Lastly, natural honey (unmixed) is classified under 0409, not 1702, which covers artificial honey or mixtures with natural honey.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 1702?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 1702 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.7B, 18% of world exports), China ($1.4B) and France ($1.0B). World exports came to about $9.8B, 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 1702?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 1702 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.1B, 10% of world imports), Mexico ($964M) and Germany ($883M). World imports came to about $10.7B, 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.

How is HS code 1702 structured?

HS code 1702 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 17 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (17) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (02) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.