HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1703.90 – Sugars; molasses, from sugar beet, resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar
HS code 1703.90 is the 6-digit subheading for sugars, molasses, from sugar beet, resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar. It is used for beet molasses, industrial beet molasses, feed grade beet molasses, liquid beet molasses and desugared beet molasses.
What HS 1703.90 covers
This category covers molasses derived from sugar beet, another important byproduct of sugar refining, distinct from cane molasses in its composition and flavor profile. Beet molasses is widely utilized in animal feed, particularly in Europe, as a palatable and energy-rich ingredient. It also serves as a raw material for fermentation processes, producing yeast, citric acid, and other biochemicals, and is sometimes used as a soil conditioner. International trade is significant in regions where sugar beet is a primary agricultural crop. Importers are typically animal feed producers and agricultural cooperatives, while exporters are European and North American sugar beet producers.
- Covers
- Beet molasses
- Industrial beet molasses
- Feed grade beet molasses
- Liquid beet molasses
- Desugared beet molasses
- Sugar beet pulp molasses
- Fermentation beet molasses
- Examples
- Südzucker (beet molasses)
- Nordzucker (beet molasses)
- Tereos (beet molasses)
- American Crystal Sugar (beet molasses)
- Michigan Sugar Company (beet molasses)
Codes often confused with 1703.90
Common mistake. The main point of confusion is with 170310, which covers molasses from sugar cane. The botanical origin of the sugar (beet vs. cane) is the sole determinant for classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 170390, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 170390 in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 15% of world imports. Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 8.3% of its exports here ($3.2M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Poland $56M 17% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$55M 17% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $43M 13% of world exports
Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 8.3% of its exports here ($3.2M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $336M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Türkiye $58M 15% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $28M 7.4% of world imports
- 3 Spain $23M 6.1% of world imports
World total: $383M 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 code for 1703.90
Brazil does not split HS 1703.90: its NCM code is 1703.90.00.
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 1703.90
What is HS code 170390?
HS code 170390 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sugars; molasses, from sugar beet, resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar. This category covers molasses derived from sugar beet, another important byproduct of sugar refining, distinct from cane molasses in its composition and flavor profile. Beet molasses is widely utilized in animal feed, particularly in Europe, as a palatable and energy-rich ingredient. It also serves as a raw material for fermentation processes, producing yeast, citric acid, and other biochemicals, and is sometimes used as a soil conditioner. International trade is significant in regions where sugar beet is a primary agricultural crop. Importers are typically animal feed producers and agricultural cooperatives, while exporters are European and North American sugar beet producers.
What products fall under HS code 170390?
Beet molasses, industrial beet molasses, feed grade beet molasses, liquid beet molasses, desugared beet molasses, sugar beet pulp molasses, fermentation beet molasses
What are common misclassifications for HS code 170390?
The main point of confusion is with 170310, which covers molasses from sugar cane. The botanical origin of the sugar (beet vs. cane) is the sole determinant for classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 170390?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 170390 in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($56M, 17% of world exports), Russia (about $55M) and Germany ($43M). World exports came to about $336M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 8.3% of its exports here ($3.2M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 170390?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 170390 in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($58M, 15% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($28M) and Spain ($23M). World imports came to about $383M, 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 170390 structured?
HS code 170390 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 170390?
In Brazil, HS code 170390 is NCM 1703.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.