HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1905.31 – Food preparations; sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa
HS code 1905.31 is the 6-digit subheading for food preparations, sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa. It is used for chocolate chip cookies, shortbread biscuits, digestive biscuits, oatmeal cookies and sandwich cookies.
What HS 1905.31 covers
This HS code covers sweet biscuits, a vast and globally popular category of baked goods, whether or not containing cocoa. This includes an immense variety of cookies, shortbreads, digestives, and other sweet, dry baked products. The international trade in sweet biscuits is enormous, driven by consumer demand for convenient snacks, desserts, and treats. Major confectionery companies are key players, exporting their brands worldwide. Importers include virtually every country, catering to diverse tastes and preferences. Innovation often focuses on new flavors, textures, and dietary considerations like gluten-free or reduced-sugar options, making it a highly dynamic market segment.
- Covers
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Shortbread biscuits
- Digestive biscuits
- Oatmeal cookies
- Sandwich cookies
- Butter cookies
- Cream-filled biscuits
- Examples
- Oreo
- McVitie's Digestives
- Walkers Shortbread
- Chips Ahoy!
- Keebler Fudge Stripes
Codes often confused with 1905.31
Common mistake. This is a very broad category and can be confused with gingerbread (190520) if spiced, or waffles/wafers (190532) if thin and crispy, or even certain types of bread (190590) if more cake-like.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 190531, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 190531 in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 9.7% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% 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 Mexico $1.3B 9.7% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $1.3B 9.3% of world exports
- 3 Germany $1.2B 9.0% of world exports
World total: $13.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $2.5B 19% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $833M 6.2% of world imports
- 3 France $812M 6.1% of world imports
World total: $13.4B 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 1905.31
Brazil does not split HS 1905.31: its NCM code is 1905.31.00.
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 1905.31
What is HS code 190531?
HS code 190531 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Food preparations; sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa. This HS code covers sweet biscuits, a vast and globally popular category of baked goods, whether or not containing cocoa. This includes an immense variety of cookies, shortbreads, digestives, and other sweet, dry baked products. The international trade in sweet biscuits is enormous, driven by consumer demand for convenient snacks, desserts, and treats. Major confectionery companies are key players, exporting their brands worldwide. Importers include virtually every country, catering to diverse tastes and preferences. Innovation often focuses on new flavors, textures, and dietary considerations like gluten-free or reduced-sugar options, making it a highly dynamic market segment.
What products fall under HS code 190531?
Chocolate chip cookies, shortbread biscuits, digestive biscuits, oatmeal cookies, sandwich cookies, butter cookies, cream-filled biscuits
What are common misclassifications for HS code 190531?
This is a very broad category and can be confused with gingerbread (190520) if spiced, or waffles/wafers (190532) if thin and crispy, or even certain types of bread (190590) if more cake-like.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 190531?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 190531 in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($1.3B, 9.7% of world exports), the Netherlands ($1.3B) and Germany ($1.2B). World exports came to about $13.7B, 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 190531?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 190531 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.5B, 19% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($833M) and France ($812M). World imports came to about $13.4B, 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 190531 structured?
HS code 190531 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 190531?
In Brazil, HS code 190531 is NCM 1905.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.