Product classification
HS code for Brined olives: 0711.20
Vegetables, olives, provisionally preserved but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption.
Classification of brined olives under HS 0711.20
HS code 071120 is designated for olives that have been provisionally preserved, a state that is technically defined within the Harmonized System. This classification falls under Chapter 7, which generally covers edible vegetables. Heading 0711 is unique because it captures vegetables that are treated with substances like sulfur dioxide gas, brine, or sulfur water solely to ensure they do not spoil during transport or storage before further industrial use. The critical legal note for this heading is that the products must be \"unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption.\" This means the olives are typically saturated with a very high concentration of salt or chemicals that would be unpalatable or unsafe to eat without further processing. This processing usually involves washing, desalting, or pitting the olives before they are repacked in a lower-salinity brine or oil for the consumer market. If olives are imported in a state where they can be eaten directly from the container, they are classified under heading 2005.70. The distinction is vital because Chapter 20 products often face different duty rates and trade regulations than the raw or provisionally preserved materials in Chapter 7. Common examples of products under 071120 include bulk barrels of olives in a 15-20% salt solution intended for a canning factory.
- Covers
- Olives in bulk brine for industrial processing
- Olives provisionally preserved in sulfur dioxide gas
- Olives in sulfur water unsuitable for immediate consumption
- Raw olives in heavy salt solution for transport
- Also under 0711.20
- Olives from Kalamata (for processing)
- Manzanilla olives (for brining)
- Moroccan Beldi olives (provisionally preserved)
- Turkish Gemlik olives (pre-cured)
- Greek Conservolea olives (in brine)
Codes often confused with 0711.20
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with code 2005.70, which covers olives prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen. The key difference is that 2005.70 olives are ready to eat, whereas 0711.20 olives are not. Another potential error is using 0709.92, which is for fresh or chilled olives. If the olives have been placed in a brine solution for preservation, they can no longer be classified as fresh. Furthermore, olives preserved in vinegar or acetic acid must be classified under 2001.90, regardless of whether they are ready for consumption.
Top exporters and importers of HS 071120 (the code used for brined olives), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 071120 (the code used for brined olives) in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 16% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 071120, not only brined olives.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $57M 36% of world exports
- 2 Egypt $35M 22% of world exports
- 3 Greece $24M 15% of world exports
World total: $156M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Brazil $35M 16% of world imports
- 2 Poland $24M 11% of world imports
- 3 Spain $23M 10% of world imports
World total: $220M 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 brined olives
Brazil splits HS 0711.20 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0711.20.10Olives provisionally preserved in salt water
- 0711.20.20Olives in sulphur water or with other additives
- 0711.20.90Other provisionally preserved olives
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about brined olives
What is the HS code for Brined olives?
The HS code for Brined olives is 071120 (Vegetables; olives, provisionally preserved but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption). The HS code for olives provisionally preserved in brine (and unsuitable for immediate consumption) is 0711.20. If the olives are ready to eat, the code is 2005.70.
How do I classify Brined olives for customs?
Brined olives is classified under HS code 071120 — Vegetables; olives, provisionally preserved but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can olives in 071120 be sold directly to consumers?
Generally, no. Products under heading 0711 are defined as being unsuitable for immediate consumption. They usually require significant processing, such as desalting or washing, before they are fit for retail sale as a food item.
Which countries are the top exporters of brined olives (HS 071120)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 071120 (the code used for brined olives) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($57M, 36% of world exports), Egypt ($35M) and Greece ($24M). World exports came to about $156M, 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 brined olives (HS 071120)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 071120 (the code used for brined olives) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($35M, 16% of world imports), Poland ($24M) and Spain ($23M). World imports came to about $220M, 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.
Is the HS code for Brined olives the same in all countries?
The base HS code 071120 for Brined olives is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for brined olives in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 071120 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for brined olives depends on the product's details: 0711.20.10 (Olives provisionally preserved in salt water), 0711.20.20 (Olives in sulphur water or with other additives), 0711.20.90 (Other provisionally preserved olives).