HS code · 4-digit heading

HS Code 20.05 – Vegetables preparations n.e.c.; prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen, other than products of heading no. 2006

What HS 20.05 covers

Heading 2005 covers vegetable preparations that are preserved or prepared in ways other than by vinegar or acetic acid, and crucially, are *not frozen*. This heading serves as a counterpart to 2004, addressing shelf-stable processed vegetables, excluding those preserved by sugar (heading 2006). Its scope is extensive, encompassing a wide range of products like canned vegetables, jarred vegetables (not in vinegar), and certain dehydrated or roasted vegetable preparations, provided they are not frozen. The boundaries are clearly defined by the exclusion of freezing as a preservation method, as well as the absence of vinegar/acetic acid or sugar as the primary preservative. Key sub-categories include various canned vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, beans, corn), jarred roasted peppers, and preserved olives in brine. This classification is paramount for trade compliance, influencing import duties, quotas, food safety regulations, and labeling requirements, which vary significantly based on the processing method and ingredients. The historical context reflects the long-standing importance of canning and other non-freezing preservation techniques for food security and global trade. As part of Chapter 20, which deals with ‘Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants,’ 2005 plays a vital role in classifying a vast segment of processed vegetable products that offer convenience and extended shelf-life to consumers and the food industry worldwide.

Covers
  • Canned peeled tomatoes
  • Canned green beans
  • Canned corn kernels
  • Jarred roasted red peppers
  • Canned mushrooms
  • Jarred artichoke hearts
  • Canned chickpeas
  • Canned black beans
  • Canned lentils
  • Canned carrots (sliced)
  • Canned potatoes (diced)
  • Jarred olives (in brine, not vinegar)
  • Canned sauerkraut (not fermented in vinegar)
  • Dehydrated vegetable flakes (e.g., onion, garlic)
  • Canned mixed vegetables
  • Jarred sun-dried tomatoes (in oil, not vinegar)
  • Canned asparagus spears
  • Canned water chestnuts
  • Canned bamboo shoots
  • Canned pumpkin puree
  • Jarred capers (in brine, not vinegar)
  • Canned spinach
  • Canned sweet potato puree
  • Jarred pickled onions (if not solely vinegar-preserved)
Examples

A major supermarket chain in the UK regularly imports several containers of canned peeled tomatoes from Italy, a leading global producer, via Mediterranean shipping routes to meet consumer demand. A US food manufacturer imports jarred roasted red peppers from Turkey and canned artichoke hearts from Spain for use as ingredients in their ready-to-eat meals and deli products. A Japanese food service company sources bulk quantities of canned bamboo shoots and water chestnuts from Vietnam for Asian cuisine restaurants across the country. A Canadian distributor imports jarred olives in brine from Greece, transported across the Atlantic to supply specialty food stores and delis.

Subheadings under 20.05 10

2005.10Vegetable preparations; homogenised vegetables, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen2005.20Vegetable preparations; potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen2005.40Vegetable preparations; peas (pisum sativum), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen2005.51Vegetable preparations; beans, shelled, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen2005.59Vegetable preparations; beans, (not shelled), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen2005.60Vegetable preparations; asparagus, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen2005.70Vegetable preparations; olives, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen2005.80Vegetable preparations; sweetcorn (zea mays var. saccharata), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen2005.91Vegetable preparations; bamboo shoots, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen2005.99Vegetable preparations; vegetables and mixtures of vegetables n.e.c. in heading no. 2005, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen

10 Brazil NCM codes in heading 20.05 →

Codes often confused with 20.05

Common mistake. Common misclassification errors for Heading 2005 include confusing it with 2001 (Vegetables prepared or preserved by vinegar or acetic acid) if the preservation method involves vinegar. Another mistake is classifying simply dried vegetables under 0712 (Dried vegetables), where 2005 applies if there's further 'preparation' beyond simple drying. Crucially, if the product is frozen, it belongs to 2004. The key differentiator for 2005 is that the products are 'not frozen' and 'otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid,' emphasizing processed, shelf-stable vegetables that don't rely on sugar as the primary preservative.

20.01Vegetables, fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants; prepared or preserved by vinegar or acetic acid07.12Vegetables, dried; whole, cut, sliced, broken or in powder, but not further prepared20.04Vegetables preparations n.e.c.; prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozen, other than products of heading no. 2006

Top exporters and importers of HS code 2005, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2005 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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. 1 China $1.9B
  2. 2 Spain $1.7B
  3. 3 Netherlands $1.2B

World total: $15.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $2.2B
  2. 2 Germany $1.5B
  3. 3 France $1.4B

World total: $15.7B 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.

Questions about HS 20.05

What is HS code 2005?

HS code 2005 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vegetables preparations n.e.c.; prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen, other than products of heading no. 2006. Heading 2005 covers vegetable preparations that are preserved or prepared in ways other than by vinegar or acetic acid, and crucially, are *not frozen*. This heading serves as a counterpart to 2004, addressing shelf-stable processed vegetables, excluding those preserved by sugar (heading 2006). Its scope is extensive, encompassing a wide range of products like canned vegetables, jarred vegetables (not in vinegar), and certain dehydrated or roasted vegetable preparations, provided they are not frozen. The boundaries are clearly defined by the exclusion of freezing as a preservation method, as well as the absence of vinegar/acetic acid or sugar as the primary preservative. Key sub-categories include various canned vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, beans, corn), jarred roasted peppers, and preserved olives in brine. This classification is paramount for trade compliance, influencing import duties, quotas, food safety regulations, and labeling requirements, which vary significantly based on the processing method and ingredients. The historical context reflects the long-standing importance of canning and other non-freezing preservation techniques for food security and global trade. As part of Chapter 20, which deals with ‘Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants,’ 2005 plays a vital role in classifying a vast segment of processed vegetable products that offer convenience and extended shelf-life to consumers and the food industry worldwide.

What products fall under HS code 2005?

Canned peeled tomatoes, canned green beans, canned corn kernels, jarred roasted red peppers, canned mushrooms, jarred artichoke hearts, canned chickpeas, canned black beans, canned lentils, canned carrots (sliced), canned potatoes (diced), jarred olives (in brine, not vinegar), canned sauerkraut (not fermented in vinegar), dehydrated vegetable flakes (e.g., onion, garlic), canned mixed vegetables, jarred sun-dried tomatoes (in oil, not vinegar), canned asparagus spears, canned water chestnuts, canned bamboo shoots, canned pumpkin puree, jarred capers (in brine, not vinegar), canned spinach, canned sweet potato puree, jarred pickled onions (if not solely vinegar-preserved)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 2005?

Common misclassification errors for Heading 2005 include confusing it with 2001 (Vegetables prepared or preserved by vinegar or acetic acid) if the preservation method involves vinegar. Another mistake is classifying simply dried vegetables under 0712 (Dried vegetables), where 2005 applies if there's further 'preparation' beyond simple drying. Crucially, if the product is frozen, it belongs to 2004. The key differentiator for 2005 is that the products are 'not frozen' and 'otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid,' emphasizing processed, shelf-stable vegetables that don't rely on sugar as the primary preservative.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2005?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2005 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.9B, 12% of world exports), Spain ($1.7B) and the Netherlands ($1.2B). World exports came to about $15.2B, 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 2005?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2005 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.2B, 14% of world imports), Germany ($1.5B) and France ($1.4B). World imports came to about $15.7B, 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.

How is HS code 2005 structured?

HS code 2005 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 20 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (20) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (05) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.