HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1805.00 – Cocoa; powder, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter
HS code 1805.00 is the 6-digit subheading for cocoa, powder, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter. It is used for unsweetened cocoa powder, natural cocoa powder, dutch-process cocoa powder, baking cocoa and low-fat cocoa powder.
What HS 1805.00 covers
This code covers cocoa powder that does not contain any added sugar or other sweetening matter. It is produced by pressing cocoa liquor (180310) to remove most of the cocoa butter, leaving behind cocoa solids which are then ground into a fine powder. This unsweetened cocoa powder is a versatile ingredient widely used in baking, beverages, desserts, and industrial food production. It comes in various fat contents and can be natural (acidic) or Dutch-processed (alkalized for darker color and milder flavor). Major importers include countries with large food manufacturing sectors and strong consumer demand for baking ingredients, such as the USA, Germany, and the UK. Leading exporters are nations with significant cocoa processing capabilities like the Netherlands, Côte d'Ivoire, and Malaysia. The EUDR requires traceability of the original cocoa beans to ensure sustainable sourcing.
- Covers
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Natural cocoa powder
- Dutch-process cocoa powder
- Baking cocoa
- Low-fat cocoa powder
- Examples
- Hershey's Natural Unsweetened Cocoa
- Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa
- Valrhona Pure Cocoa Powder
- Droste Cacao
Codes often confused with 1805.00
Common mistake. The critical distinction is the absence of added sugar, differentiating it from 180610 (cocoa powder with added sugar). It's also distinct from cocoa paste (1803) due to its powdered form and lower fat/moisture content.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 180500, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 180500 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% 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 Netherlands $2.3B 28% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $1.2B 15% of world exports
- 3 Germany $793M 9.9% of world exports
World total: $8.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $915M 12% of world imports
- 2 China $402M 5.1% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $342M 4.3% of world imports
World total: $7.9B 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 1805.00
Brazil does not split HS 1805.00: its NCM code is 1805.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 18.05 →
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 1805.00
What is HS code 180500?
HS code 180500 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cocoa; powder, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter. This code covers cocoa powder that does not contain any added sugar or other sweetening matter. It is produced by pressing cocoa liquor (180310) to remove most of the cocoa butter, leaving behind cocoa solids which are then ground into a fine powder. This unsweetened cocoa powder is a versatile ingredient widely used in baking, beverages, desserts, and industrial food production. It comes in various fat contents and can be natural (acidic) or Dutch-processed (alkalized for darker color and milder flavor). Major importers include countries with large food manufacturing sectors and strong consumer demand for baking ingredients, such as the USA, Germany, and the UK. Leading exporters are nations with significant cocoa processing capabilities like the Netherlands, Côte d'Ivoire, and Malaysia. The EUDR requires traceability of the original cocoa beans to ensure sustainable sourcing.
What products fall under HS code 180500?
Unsweetened cocoa powder, natural cocoa powder, Dutch-process cocoa powder, baking cocoa, low-fat cocoa powder
What are common misclassifications for HS code 180500?
The critical distinction is the absence of added sugar, differentiating it from 180610 (cocoa powder with added sugar). It's also distinct from cocoa paste (1803) due to its powdered form and lower fat/moisture content.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 180500?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 180500 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($2.3B, 28% of world exports), Malaysia ($1.2B) and Germany ($793M). World exports came to about $8.0B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 180500?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 180500 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($915M, 12% of world imports), China ($402M) and the Netherlands ($342M). World imports came to about $7.9B, 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 180500 structured?
HS code 180500 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (18) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 180500?
In Brazil, HS code 180500 is NCM 1805.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.