Product classification
HS code for Bulk pet food: 2309.90
Dog or cat food, (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding.
Classification of bulk pet food under HS 2309.90
Bulk pet food is classified under HS code 2309.90 because it represents preparations of a kind used in animal feeding that are not packaged for direct retail sale. Heading 2309 is reserved for products that have been processed or mixed to provide nutritional value to animals, distinguishing them from simple agricultural residues or raw ingredients. The subheading 2309.90 specifically captures "other" preparations, which includes bulk shipments intended for further processing, repackaging, or use in large-scale animal husbandry. This classification is determined by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 1 and 6, which prioritize the intended use and the physical state of the goods. Since these products are not "put up for retail sale" (which would fall under 2309.10), they must be categorized here. The composition usually includes a mix of vegetable and animal substances, often fortified with vitamins and minerals to create a complete or complementary feed. The bulk nature of the product implies it is an industrial or intermediate good rather than a consumer-ready item.
- Covers
- Bulk kibble for dogs and cats
- Industrial-sized bags of animal feed preparations
- Fortified grain mixes for domestic pets
- Dehydrated meat and vegetable blends in bulk containers
- Nutritional supplements mixed into base feed carriers
- Also under 2309.90
- ADM Animal Nutrition Feed
- Cargill Animal Nutrition Bulk Feed
- Nutreco Aquaculture Feed
- Purina Mills Livestock Feed
- specialized zoo diets from Mazuri.
Codes often confused with 2309.90
Common mistake. A frequent error involves confusing 2309.90 with 2309.10. The latter is strictly for dog or cat food "put up for retail sale," meaning it is packaged in bags, cans, or pouches ready for the end consumer. Bulk shipments in large totes or tankers must stay in 2309.90. Additionally, importers sometimes mistakenly use 2301, which covers flours, meals, and pellets of meat or fish. However, 2301 is for raw ingredients that have not yet been "prepared" into a complete food mixture. If the product contains additives like vitamins or has been balanced for nutrition, 2309.90 is the correct choice.
Top exporters and importers of HS 230990 (the code used for bulk pet food), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 230990 (the code used for bulk pet food) in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 5.9% 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 230990, not only bulk pet food.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Netherlands $3.1B 13% of world exports
- 2 Germany $2.1B 9.0% of world exports
- 3 United States $1.8B 7.7% of world exports
World total: $23.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $1.4B 5.9% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $1.1B 4.8% of world imports
- 3 United States $1.1B 4.6% of world imports
World total: $23.3B 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 bulk pet food
Brazil splits HS 2309.90 into 8 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 2309.90.10Complete compound animal feeds
- 2309.90.20Feed preparations of iodised salt and bone meal
- 2309.90.30Animal feed biscuits and cookies
- 2309.90.40Animal feed preparations containing diclazuril
- 2309.90.50Ractopamine HCl 2%+ feed preparation on soya meal
- 2309.90.60Xylanase and beta-glucanase feed preparations
- 2309.90.70Vitamin B12 (0.1% to 1%) feed on calcium carbonate
- 2309.90.90Other animal feed preparations
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about bulk pet food
What is the HS code for Bulk pet food?
The HS code for Bulk pet food is 230990 (Dog or cat food; (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding). The HS code for bulk pet food (dog or cat food not for retail sale) is 2309.90.
How do I classify Bulk pet food for customs?
Bulk pet food is classified under HS code 230990 — Dog or cat food; (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include raw meat for pets?
No, raw meat that has not been prepared or mixed with other ingredients is typically classified in Chapter 2 or Chapter 5, depending on its state and intended use.
Which countries are the top exporters of bulk pet food (HS 230990)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 230990 (the code used for bulk pet food) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($3.1B, 13% of world exports), Germany ($2.1B) and the United States ($1.8B). World exports came to about $23.3B, 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 pet food (HS 230990)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 230990 (the code used for bulk pet food) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.4B, 5.9% of world imports), the Netherlands ($1.1B) and the United States ($1.1B). World imports came to about $23.3B, 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 pet food the same in all countries?
The base HS code 230990 for Bulk pet food 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 pet food in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 230990 into 8 NCM codes, so the right one for bulk pet food depends on the product's details: 2309.90.10 (Complete compound animal feeds), 2309.90.20 (Feed preparations of iodised salt and bone meal), 2309.90.30 (Animal feed biscuits and cookies), 2309.90.40 (Animal feed preparations containing diclazuril), 2309.90.50 (Ractopamine HCl 2%+ feed preparation on soya meal), 2309.90.60 (Xylanase and beta-glucanase feed preparations), and more.