Product classification
HS code for Bulk chocolate: 1806.20
Chocolate & other food preparations containing cocoa, in blocks, slabs or bars weighing more than 2kg or in liquid, paste, powder, granular or other bulk form in containers or immediate packings, content exceeding 2kg.
Classification of bulk chocolate under HS 1806.20
HS code 180620 is designated for chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa when presented in bulk forms. This includes products in blocks, slabs, or bars weighing more than 2 kilograms, or in liquid, paste, powder, granular, or other bulk forms within containers or immediate packings with a content exceeding 2 kilograms. This classification specifically targets industrial or wholesale quantities of chocolate and cocoa preparations, distinguishing them from smaller, retail-packaged items. The presence of cocoa as a primary ingredient and the substantial packaging size are the defining characteristics for inclusion under this heading, indicating its use in further manufacturing or large-scale food service.
- Covers
- Industrial chocolate blocks weighing 5kg
- Couverture chocolate in large bags (e.g., 10kg)
- Cocoa mass in bulk containers
- Chocolate paste in drums for confectionery production
- Chocolate chips in 25kg sacks for baking
- Sweetened cocoa powder in industrial quantities exceeding 2kg
- Also under 1806.20
- Barry Callebaut industrial chocolate
- Cargill bulk chocolate
- Guittard baking chocolate (large format)
- Valrhona couverture (large blocks)
Codes often confused with 1806.20
Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with HS codes 180631 and 180632, which cover chocolate in blocks, slabs, or bars weighing 2 kilograms or less. The primary distinction is the weight of the individual unit or immediate packing; 180620 is for bulk items exceeding 2kg, while 180631/180632 are for smaller, often retail-sized portions. Another area of confusion can be with 180690, which covers other chocolate preparations, often retail-packaged or smaller items not meeting the bulk criteria. Furthermore, heading 180500 covers cocoa powder not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter. The key difference is that 180620 includes preparations containing cocoa, often sweetened or mixed with other ingredients, and specifically in bulk forms, whereas 180500 is for unsweetened cocoa powder.
Top exporters and importers of HS 180620 (the code used for bulk chocolate), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 180620 (the code used for bulk chocolate) in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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 180620, not only bulk chocolate.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Belgium $3.6B 30% of world exports
- 2 Canada $1.3B 11% of world exports
- 3 Germany $1.0B 8.5% of world exports
World total: $12.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.8B 15% of world imports
- 2 France $1.5B 13% of world imports
- 3 Germany $1.4B 12% of world imports
World total: $11.9B 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 bulk chocolate
Brazil classifies bulk chocolate under NCM 1806.20.00: HS 1806.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about bulk chocolate
What is the HS code for Bulk chocolate?
The HS code for Bulk chocolate is 180620 (Chocolate & other food preparations containing cocoa; in blocks, slabs or bars weighing more than 2kg or in liquid, paste, powder, granular or other bulk form in containers or immediate packings, content exceeding 2kg). The HS code for bulk chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa, in blocks/slabs over 2kg or other bulk forms exceeding 2kg, is 180620.
How do I classify Bulk chocolate for customs?
Bulk chocolate is classified under HS code 180620 — Chocolate & other food preparations containing cocoa; in blocks, slabs or bars weighing more than 2kg or in liquid, paste, powder, granular or other bulk form in containers or immediate packings, content exceeding 2kg. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the primary criterion for classifying chocolate under 180620?
The primary criterion for classifying chocolate under 180620 is its bulk nature, specifically blocks, slabs, or bars weighing more than 2kg, or other forms (liquid, paste, powder, granular) in containers or immediate packings with a content exceeding 2kg.
Which countries are the top exporters of bulk chocolate (HS 180620)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 180620 (the code used for bulk chocolate) in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($3.6B, 30% of world exports), Canada ($1.3B) and Germany ($1.0B). World exports came to about $12.0B, 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 bulk chocolate (HS 180620)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 180620 (the code used for bulk chocolate) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.8B, 15% of world imports), France ($1.5B) and Germany ($1.4B). World imports came to about $11.9B, 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 Bulk chocolate the same in all countries?
The base HS code 180620 for Bulk chocolate 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 bulk chocolate in Brazil?
In Brazil, bulk chocolate (HS 180620) is classified under NCM 1806.20.00.