Product classification
HS code for Cat food: 2309.10
Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding.
Classification of cat food under HS 2309.10
Cat food is classified under HS code 2309.10. This code is found in Chapter 23, which covers residues and waste from the food industries and prepared animal fodder. Heading 2309 is designated for preparations of a kind used in animal feeding. The subheading 2309.10 is specifically reserved for dog or cat food that is put up for retail sale. The classification criteria for this code are twofold: the product must be a prepared foodstuff intended for feline consumption, and it must be packaged in a manner suitable for direct sale to consumers (e.g., cans, bags, or pouches). These preparations usually consist of a mixture of nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals) designed to provide a balanced diet. The classification remains the same regardless of whether the food is wet (canned) or dry (kibble). This code is critical for international trade as it often triggers specific sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations and veterinary inspections due to the animal-origin ingredients typically found in these products.
- Covers
- Canned wet cat food
- Dry cat kibble in retail bags
- Cat treats packaged for retail sale
- Semi-moist cat food pouches
- Dietary or therapeutic cat food for retail
- Also under 2309.10
- Royal Canin Adult Dog Food
- Purina Pro Plan Cat Food
- Hill's Science Diet Puppy Food
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food
- Whiskas Wet Cat Food.
Codes often confused with 2309.10
Common mistake. A common error is classifying cat food under 2309.90, which is the residual category for "other" animal feed. 2309.90 is intended for bulk feed or preparations for animals other than dogs and cats. Another misclassification occurs when the product is primarily unmixed meat or fish waste, which might fall under 0511.91 or 0511.99 if not prepared as a complete food. However, if it is processed and packaged for retail as cat food, 2309.10 is the correct designation.
Top exporters and importers of HS 230910 (the code used for cat food), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 230910 (the code used for cat food) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% 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 230910, not only cat food.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $3.4B 12% of world exports
- 2 Thailand $2.9B 10% of world exports
- 3 Poland $2.7B 9.6% of world exports
World total: $27.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $3.2B 12% of world imports
- 2 United States $2.4B 8.6% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $1.8B 6.6% of world imports
World total: $27.9B 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 cat food
Brazil classifies cat food under NCM 2309.10.00: HS 2309.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cat food
What is the HS code for Cat food?
The HS code for Cat food is 230910 (Dog or cat food; put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding). The HS code for cat food put up for retail sale is 2309.10.
How do I classify Cat food for customs?
Cat food is classified under HS code 230910 — Dog or cat food; put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are cat treats included in HS code 2309.10?
Yes, cat treats are generally classified under 2309.10 as long as they are prepared animal fodder and packaged for retail sale.
Which countries are the top exporters of cat food (HS 230910)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 230910 (the code used for cat food) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($3.4B, 12% of world exports), Thailand ($2.9B) and Poland ($2.7B). World exports came to about $27.9B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of cat food (HS 230910)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 230910 (the code used for cat food) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($3.2B, 12% of world imports), the United States ($2.4B) and the United Kingdom ($1.8B). World imports came to about $27.9B, 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 Cat food the same in all countries?
The base HS code 230910 for Cat 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 cat food in Brazil?
In Brazil, cat food (HS 230910) is classified under NCM 2309.10.00.