HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1905.20 – Food preparations; gingerbread and the like, whether or not containing cocoa
HS code 1905.20 is the 6-digit subheading for food preparations, gingerbread and the like, whether or not containing cocoa. It is used for gingerbread cookies, gingerbread houses, gingerbread loaf, ginger snaps and speculoos biscuits.
What HS 1905.20 covers
This category encompasses gingerbread and similar spiced baked goods, whether or not containing cocoa. These products hold significant cultural and seasonal importance, particularly during holidays in many parts of the world. Their trade sees peaks around festive seasons, with major exporters often being countries with strong baking traditions. Importers include supermarkets, specialty food stores, and gift retailers. The variety ranges from soft gingerbread cakes to crisp ginger snaps and elaborate gingerbread houses. The distinct spice profile, typically ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, is the defining characteristic for this classification, setting it apart from other sweet baked goods.
- Covers
- Gingerbread cookies
- Gingerbread houses
- Gingerbread loaf
- Ginger snaps
- Speculoos biscuits
- Lebkuchen
- Ginger thins
- Examples
- Pepperidge Farm Gingerbread Men
- Bahlsen Contessa Lebkuchen
- Lotus Biscoff (speculoos)
- McVitie's Ginger Nuts
Codes often confused with 1905.20
Common mistake. Can be confused with other sweet biscuits (190531) or cakes (190590) if the specific 'gingerbread and the like' spiced nature isn't clearly identified. The presence of ginger is key.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 190520, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 190520 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% 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 Germany $141M 31% of world exports
- 2 Canada $63M 14% of world exports
- 3 Poland $59M 13% of world exports
World total: $458M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $97M 20% of world imports
- 2 Germany $49M 10% of world imports
- 3 France $32M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $486M 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 codes for 1905.20 2
Brazil splits HS 1905.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 19.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1905.20
What is HS code 190520?
HS code 190520 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Food preparations; gingerbread and the like, whether or not containing cocoa. This category encompasses gingerbread and similar spiced baked goods, whether or not containing cocoa. These products hold significant cultural and seasonal importance, particularly during holidays in many parts of the world. Their trade sees peaks around festive seasons, with major exporters often being countries with strong baking traditions. Importers include supermarkets, specialty food stores, and gift retailers. The variety ranges from soft gingerbread cakes to crisp ginger snaps and elaborate gingerbread houses. The distinct spice profile, typically ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, is the defining characteristic for this classification, setting it apart from other sweet baked goods.
What products fall under HS code 190520?
Gingerbread cookies, gingerbread houses, gingerbread loaf, ginger snaps, speculoos biscuits, Lebkuchen, ginger thins
What are common misclassifications for HS code 190520?
Can be confused with other sweet biscuits (190531) or cakes (190590) if the specific 'gingerbread and the like' spiced nature isn't clearly identified. The presence of ginger is key.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 190520?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 190520 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($141M, 31% of world exports), Canada ($63M) and Poland ($59M). World exports came to about $458M, 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 190520?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 190520 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($97M, 20% of world imports), Germany ($49M) and France ($32M). World imports came to about $486M, 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 190520 structured?
HS code 190520 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (19) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) 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 190520?
Brazil splits HS code 190520 into 2 NCM codes: 1905.20.10 (Panettone), 1905.20.90 (Gingerbread and similar, other than panettone). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.