HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 21.04 – Soups and broths and preparations therefor; homogenised composite food preparations
What HS 21.04 covers
Heading 2104 covers 'Soups and broths and preparations therefor; homogenised composite food preparations.' This classification is crucial for the convenience food industry, encompassing a wide range of products designed for quick preparation or consumption. It includes ready-to-eat soups (canned, instant), liquid broths, and various preparations used to make soups, such as bouillon cubes, soup mixes, and concentrated bases. These products are distinct from raw ingredients and are typically processed and packaged for retail or institutional use. A key component of this heading is 'homogenised composite food preparations.' This category typically refers to baby foods (meat, vegetable, or fruit purees mixed together) and specialized dietary foods that have been processed to a uniform consistency. The 'homogenised composite' aspect is critical, differentiating these products from single-ingredient purees (which might fall under Chapter 20 if fruit/vegetable-based) or other food preparations. Proper classification under 2104 is essential for trade compliance, impacting import duties, food safety regulations, labeling requirements (especially for baby food), and health certifications. This heading plays a significant role in meeting consumer demand for convenience, as well as providing essential nutrition for infants and those with specific dietary needs, reflecting modern food processing and consumption trends.
- Covers
- Canned chicken noodle soup
- Instant ramen noodle soup packets
- Beef bouillon cubes
- Vegetable soup mix (dry powder)
- Liquid chicken broth (ready-to-serve)
- Concentrated tomato soup base
- Cream of mushroom soup (canned)
- Baby food puree (homogenized chicken and vegetables)
- Infant formula (if a composite preparation, e.g., cereal and milk blend)
- Medical nutritional supplement (homogenized liquid)
- Dietetic food preparation (homogenized)
- Miso soup paste
- Pho broth concentrate
- Gazpacho (prepared and ready-to-serve)
- Clear consommé (canned)
- Vegetable bouillon powder
- Instant cup noodles
- Cream of potato soup
- Lentil soup (canned)
- Split pea soup (canned)
- Bone broth (liquid)
- Organic vegetable broth
- Gluten-free soup mix
- Low-sodium broth
- Mixed grain baby food (homogenized).
- Examples
A major US food corporation exports pallets of canned chicken noodle soup to military commissaries and humanitarian aid organizations in various countries, ensuring long shelf life and ease of distribution. Simultaneously, a Japanese company ships large volumes of instant ramen noodle packets to global markets, catering to students and busy consumers seeking quick meals. In another instance, a European manufacturer exports homogenized composite baby food purees (e.g., mixed fruit and cereal) to developing countries, where they provide essential nutrition for infants, navigating stringent international food safety and labeling regulations.
Subheadings under 21.04 2
Codes often confused with 21.04
Common mistake. Common misclassifications under 2104 include confusing 'homogenised composite food preparations' with single-ingredient purees or non-homogenized preparations. For example, a single fruit puree (e.g., apple puree) would typically fall under Chapter 20 (2007 or 2008), whereas a homogenized blend of fruit and cereal for infants belongs to 2104. Another error is classifying products that contain significant pieces of meat or fish as 'soups' under 2104, when they might be more appropriately classified under Chapter 16 (preparations of meat, fish, or crustaceans), especially if the meat/fish is the primary component. Infant formula can also be tricky; while some composite formulas fit here, milk-based formulas are often classified under 1901. The key is the 'composite' and 'homogenized' nature for baby foods, and the 'soup/broth' character for the other items.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2104, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2104 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% 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 United States $945M 22% of world exports
- 2 Spain $319M 7.3% of world exports
- 3 Germany $258M 5.9% of world exports
World total: $4.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $655M 14% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $620M 13% of world imports
- 3 Canada $327M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $4.7B 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 21.04
What is HS code 2104?
HS code 2104 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Soups and broths and preparations therefor; homogenised composite food preparations. Heading 2104 covers 'Soups and broths and preparations therefor; homogenised composite food preparations.' This classification is crucial for the convenience food industry, encompassing a wide range of products designed for quick preparation or consumption. It includes ready-to-eat soups (canned, instant), liquid broths, and various preparations used to make soups, such as bouillon cubes, soup mixes, and concentrated bases. These products are distinct from raw ingredients and are typically processed and packaged for retail or institutional use. A key component of this heading is 'homogenised composite food preparations.' This category typically refers to baby foods (meat, vegetable, or fruit purees mixed together) and specialized dietary foods that have been processed to a uniform consistency. The 'homogenised composite' aspect is critical, differentiating these products from single-ingredient purees (which might fall under Chapter 20 if fruit/vegetable-based) or other food preparations. Proper classification under 2104 is essential for trade compliance, impacting import duties, food safety regulations, labeling requirements (especially for baby food), and health certifications. This heading plays a significant role in meeting consumer demand for convenience, as well as providing essential nutrition for infants and those with specific dietary needs, reflecting modern food processing and consumption trends.
What products fall under HS code 2104?
Canned chicken noodle soup, instant ramen noodle soup packets, beef bouillon cubes, vegetable soup mix (dry powder), liquid chicken broth (ready-to-serve), concentrated tomato soup base, cream of mushroom soup (canned), baby food puree (homogenized chicken and vegetables), infant formula (if a composite preparation, e.g., cereal and milk blend), medical nutritional supplement (homogenized liquid), dietetic food preparation (homogenized), miso soup paste, pho broth concentrate, gazpacho (prepared and ready-to-serve), clear consommé (canned), vegetable bouillon powder, instant cup noodles, cream of potato soup, lentil soup (canned), split pea soup (canned), bone broth (liquid), organic vegetable broth, gluten-free soup mix, low-sodium broth, mixed grain baby food (homogenized).
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2104?
Common misclassifications under 2104 include confusing 'homogenised composite food preparations' with single-ingredient purees or non-homogenized preparations. For example, a single fruit puree (e.g., apple puree) would typically fall under Chapter 20 (2007 or 2008), whereas a homogenized blend of fruit and cereal for infants belongs to 2104. Another error is classifying products that contain significant pieces of meat or fish as 'soups' under 2104, when they might be more appropriately classified under Chapter 16 (preparations of meat, fish, or crustaceans), especially if the meat/fish is the primary component. Infant formula can also be tricky; while some composite formulas fit here, milk-based formulas are often classified under 1901. The key is the 'composite' and 'homogenized' nature for baby foods, and the 'soup/broth' character for the other items.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2104?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2104 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($945M, 22% of world exports), Spain ($319M) and Germany ($258M). World exports came to about $4.4B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 2104?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2104 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($655M, 14% of world imports), Mexico ($620M) and Canada ($327M). World imports came to about $4.7B, 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 2104 structured?
HS code 2104 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 21 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (21) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (04) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.