HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1902.40 – Food preparations; couscous
HS code 1902.40 is the 6-digit subheading for food preparations, couscous. It is used for instant couscous, whole wheat couscous, pearl couscous, israeli couscous and flavored couscous.
What HS 1902.40 covers
This HS code encompasses couscous, a staple food preparation made from semolina, widely traded globally. It's a significant commodity for countries in North Africa and the Middle East, where it originates and is a cornerstone of traditional cuisine. Major importers include European nations and North America, driven by increasing demand for diverse and convenient meal options, as well as a growing interest in ethnic foods. Key aspects of its trade involve both bulk semolina for local processing and packaged, ready-to-cook couscous. The market sees a variety of types, from fine-grain to pearl couscous, and increasingly, whole wheat and gluten-free versions. Understanding the specific grain size and preparation level is crucial for accurate classification and market analysis.
- Covers
- Instant couscous
- Whole wheat couscous
- Pearl couscous
- Israeli couscous
- Flavored couscous
- Gluten-free couscous
- Medium grain couscous
- Examples
- Tipiak Couscous
- Near East Couscous
- Roland Couscous
- Ziyad Couscous
Codes often confused with 1902.40
Common mistake. This code can be confused with other pasta products (190211-190230) due to its semolina base, but couscous is distinct in its preparation and form. It's also different from raw semolina (110311) as it's a prepared food.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 190240, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 190240 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 21% 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 Italy $65M 29% of world exports
- 2 Morocco $56M 25% of world exports
- 3 France $34M 15% of world exports
World total: $223M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $48M 21% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $20M 8.7% of world imports
- 3 Germany $15M 6.6% of world imports
World total: $232M 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 1902.40
Brazil does not split HS 1902.40: its NCM code is 1902.40.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 19.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1902.40
What is HS code 190240?
HS code 190240 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Food preparations; couscous. This HS code encompasses couscous, a staple food preparation made from semolina, widely traded globally. It's a significant commodity for countries in North Africa and the Middle East, where it originates and is a cornerstone of traditional cuisine. Major importers include European nations and North America, driven by increasing demand for diverse and convenient meal options, as well as a growing interest in ethnic foods. Key aspects of its trade involve both bulk semolina for local processing and packaged, ready-to-cook couscous. The market sees a variety of types, from fine-grain to pearl couscous, and increasingly, whole wheat and gluten-free versions. Understanding the specific grain size and preparation level is crucial for accurate classification and market analysis.
What products fall under HS code 190240?
Instant couscous, whole wheat couscous, pearl couscous, Israeli couscous, flavored couscous, gluten-free couscous, medium grain couscous
What are common misclassifications for HS code 190240?
This code can be confused with other pasta products (190211-190230) due to its semolina base, but couscous is distinct in its preparation and form. It's also different from raw semolina (110311) as it's a prepared food.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 190240?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 190240 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($65M, 29% of world exports), Morocco ($56M) and France ($34M). World exports came to about $223M, 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 190240?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 190240 in UN Comtrade data were France ($48M, 21% of world imports), Belgium ($20M) and Germany ($15M). World imports came to about $232M, 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 190240 structured?
HS code 190240 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (19) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 190240?
In Brazil, HS code 190240 is NCM 1902.40.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.