HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1703.10 – Sugars; molasses, from sugar cane, resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar
HS code 1703.10 is the 6-digit subheading for sugars, molasses, from sugar cane, resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar. It is used for cane molasses, blackstrap molasses, industrial cane molasses, feed grade cane molasses and edible cane molasses.
What HS 1703.10 covers
This HS code specifically covers molasses derived from sugar cane, a viscous byproduct of sugar extraction or refining. Cane molasses is a significant commodity in international trade, primarily used in animal feed formulations due to its energy content and palatability. It is also a key raw material for fermentation processes, producing ethanol, rum, and other industrial chemicals, and finds use in some food products like baking and sauces. Trade volumes are substantial, often in bulk, and are closely linked to global sugar cane production. Importers are typically livestock farmers, ethanol producers, and food manufacturers, while exporters are major sugar-producing nations.
- Covers
- Cane molasses
- Blackstrap molasses
- Industrial cane molasses
- Feed grade cane molasses
- Edible cane molasses
- Liquid cane molasses
- Fermentation molasses
- Examples
- Cargill (cane molasses)
- Louis Dreyfus Company (cane molasses)
- Bunge (cane molasses)
- ASR Group (molasses)
- Westway Feed Products (molasses)
Codes often confused with 1703.10
Common mistake. The primary confusion is with 170390, which covers molasses from sugar beet. The botanical origin (sugar cane vs. sugar beet) is the critical distinguishing factor.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 170310, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 170310 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% 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 Indonesia $92M 17% of world exports
- 2 Thailand $66M 12% of world exports
- 3 Guatemala $60M 11% of world exports
World total: $554M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $143M 19% of world imports
- 2 Philippines $133M 18% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $113M 15% of world imports
World total: $737M 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 1703.10
Brazil does not split HS 1703.10: its NCM code is 1703.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 17.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1703.10
What is HS code 170310?
HS code 170310 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sugars; molasses, from sugar cane, resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar. This HS code specifically covers molasses derived from sugar cane, a viscous byproduct of sugar extraction or refining. Cane molasses is a significant commodity in international trade, primarily used in animal feed formulations due to its energy content and palatability. It is also a key raw material for fermentation processes, producing ethanol, rum, and other industrial chemicals, and finds use in some food products like baking and sauces. Trade volumes are substantial, often in bulk, and are closely linked to global sugar cane production. Importers are typically livestock farmers, ethanol producers, and food manufacturers, while exporters are major sugar-producing nations.
What products fall under HS code 170310?
Cane molasses, blackstrap molasses, industrial cane molasses, feed grade cane molasses, edible cane molasses, liquid cane molasses, fermentation molasses
What are common misclassifications for HS code 170310?
The primary confusion is with 170390, which covers molasses from sugar beet. The botanical origin (sugar cane vs. sugar beet) is the critical distinguishing factor.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 170310?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 170310 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($92M, 17% of world exports), Thailand ($66M) and Guatemala ($60M). World exports came to about $554M, 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 170310?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 170310 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($143M, 19% of world imports), the Philippines ($133M) and the United Kingdom ($113M). World imports came to about $737M, 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 170310 structured?
HS code 170310 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (17) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 170310?
In Brazil, HS code 170310 is NCM 1703.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.