HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2208.40 – Rum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane products
HS code 2208.40 is the 6-digit subheading for rum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane products. It is used for white rum, dark rum, spiced rum, aged rum and rhum agricole.
What HS 2208.40 covers
This HS code covers rum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane products, such as molasses or sugarcane juice. It's a diverse category with a rich history, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America. The trade is influenced by regional styles (e.g., light vs. dark, agricole vs. industrial rum, cachaça), cocktail trends, and a growing appreciation for aged and premium rums. Importers are distributors and retailers in markets with strong cocktail cultures or historical ties to rum-producing regions. Exporters are primarily countries in the Caribbean, Central, and South America, leveraging their sugarcane agriculture and traditional distillation methods. The origin, raw material (molasses vs. juice), and aging process are key factors in its global trade.
- Covers
- White rum
- Dark rum
- Spiced rum
- Aged rum
- Rhum agricole
- Cachaça
- Aguardiente de caña
- Overproof rum.
- Examples
- Bacardi Superior
- Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
- Havana Club Añejo 3 Años
- Appleton Estate Reserve Blend
- Cachaça 51.
Codes often confused with 2208.40
Common mistake. Can be confused with 2208.90 (other spirits) if the sugarcane origin is not clearly specified, or 2208.30 (whiskies) if generic 'brown spirit' classification is used.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 220840, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 220840 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, 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 Italy $214M 13% of world exports
- 2 United States $142M 8.6% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $137M 8.3% of world exports
World total: $1.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $240M 14% of world imports
- 2 United States $193M 11% of world imports
- 3 Spain $145M 8.5% of world imports
World total: $1.7B 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.
Brazil NCM code for 2208.40
Brazil does not split HS 2208.40: its NCM code is 2208.40.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 22.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2208.40
What is HS code 220840?
HS code 220840 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Rum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane products. This HS code covers rum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane products, such as molasses or sugarcane juice. It's a diverse category with a rich history, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America. The trade is influenced by regional styles (e.g., light vs. dark, agricole vs. industrial rum, cachaça), cocktail trends, and a growing appreciation for aged and premium rums. Importers are distributors and retailers in markets with strong cocktail cultures or historical ties to rum-producing regions. Exporters are primarily countries in the Caribbean, Central, and South America, leveraging their sugarcane agriculture and traditional distillation methods. The origin, raw material (molasses vs. juice), and aging process are key factors in its global trade.
What products fall under HS code 220840?
White rum, dark rum, spiced rum, aged rum, rhum agricole, cachaça, aguardiente de caña, overproof rum.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 220840?
Can be confused with 2208.90 (other spirits) if the sugarcane origin is not clearly specified, or 2208.30 (whiskies) if generic 'brown spirit' classification is used.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 220840?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 220840 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($214M, 13% of world exports), the United States ($142M) and the Netherlands ($137M). World exports came to about $1.7B, 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 220840?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 220840 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($240M, 14% of world imports), the United States ($193M) and Spain ($145M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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 220840 structured?
HS code 220840 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (22) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) 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 220840?
In Brazil, HS code 220840 is NCM 2208.40.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.