HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1803.20 – Cocoa; paste, wholly or partly defatted
HS code 1803.20 is the 6-digit subheading for cocoa, paste, wholly or partly defatted. It is used for defatted cocoa liquor, partly defatted cocoa mass, wholly defatted cocoa paste and low-fat chocolate liquor.
What HS 1803.20 covers
This code covers cocoa paste that has been wholly or partly defatted, meaning some or all of its natural cocoa butter has been removed. This product is a vital intermediate in the production of cocoa powder and certain types of chocolate where a lower fat content is desired. The defatting process separates the cocoa butter (180400) from the cocoa solids, which are then ground into powder (180500). Major importers include countries with large food processing industries, such as the USA, Germany, and the Netherlands, which use this paste to create a variety of cocoa-based products. Key exporters are often nations with significant cocoa processing infrastructure, including Côte d'Ivoire, Malaysia, and Ghana. The EUDR mandates that the cocoa beans from which this paste is derived must be traceable to deforestation-free sources, adding a layer of complexity to international trade.
- Covers
- Defatted cocoa liquor
- Partly defatted cocoa mass
- Wholly defatted cocoa paste
- Low-fat chocolate liquor
- Examples
- Barry Callebaut defatted cocoa mass
- Cargill low-fat cocoa liquor
- Olam partly defatted cocoa paste
Codes often confused with 1803.20
Common mistake. The key distinction from 180310 is the defatting process; it can also be confused with 180500 (cocoa powder) if finely ground, but paste retains a higher moisture and fat content than powder.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 180320, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 180320 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 25% 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 $219M 23% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $181M 19% of world exports
- 3 Cameroon* ~$161M 17% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $956M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $493M 25% of world imports
- 2 United States $374M 19% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $316M 16% of world imports
World total: $2.0B 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 1803.20
Brazil does not split HS 1803.20: its NCM code is 1803.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 18.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about HS 1803.20
What is HS code 180320?
HS code 180320 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cocoa; paste, wholly or partly defatted. This code covers cocoa paste that has been wholly or partly defatted, meaning some or all of its natural cocoa butter has been removed. This product is a vital intermediate in the production of cocoa powder and certain types of chocolate where a lower fat content is desired. The defatting process separates the cocoa butter (180400) from the cocoa solids, which are then ground into powder (180500). Major importers include countries with large food processing industries, such as the USA, Germany, and the Netherlands, which use this paste to create a variety of cocoa-based products. Key exporters are often nations with significant cocoa processing infrastructure, including Côte d'Ivoire, Malaysia, and Ghana. The EUDR mandates that the cocoa beans from which this paste is derived must be traceable to deforestation-free sources, adding a layer of complexity to international trade.
What products fall under HS code 180320?
Defatted cocoa liquor, partly defatted cocoa mass, wholly defatted cocoa paste, low-fat chocolate liquor
What are common misclassifications for HS code 180320?
The key distinction from 180310 is the defatting process; it can also be confused with 180500 (cocoa powder) if finely ground, but paste retains a higher moisture and fat content than powder.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 180320?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 180320 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($219M, 23% of world exports), Malaysia ($181M) and Cameroon (about $161M). World exports came to about $956M, 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 180320?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 180320 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($493M, 25% of world imports), the United States ($374M) and the Netherlands ($316M). World imports came to about $2.0B, 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 180320 structured?
HS code 180320 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (18) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 180320?
In Brazil, HS code 180320 is NCM 1803.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.