Product classification
HS code for Cocoa beans: 1801.00
Cocoa beans, whole or broken, raw or roasted.
Classification of cocoa beans under HS 1801.00
The classification of cocoa beans under HS code 1801.00 is a fundamental aspect of international trade for the confectionery industry. This code encompasses cocoa beans in their most basic forms: whole or broken, and either raw or roasted. Cocoa beans are the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree, harvested from pods, fermented to develop flavor precursors, and then dried for stability during transport. The Harmonized System treats both raw and roasted beans under the same heading because roasting is considered a minimal process that does not change the fundamental nature of the bean as a raw material. Broken beans, often referred to as cocoa nibs, are also included here. Nibs are the result of cracking the beans and removing the shells, representing the edible part of the bean before it is ground into paste. This classification is vital for customs because it distinguishes the primary agricultural product from more processed derivatives like cocoa butter or powder. The 1801.00 code is used by importers and exporters to ensure compliance with agricultural standards and to determine applicable tariffs, which are often lower for raw beans than for finished chocolate products. Furthermore, this code is used by international organizations to track the production and flow of cocoa from major producing regions to processing hubs. To remain under this heading, the beans must not have undergone any further processing such as grinding into a paste or the extraction of fat. Any such transformation would move the product into subsequent headings of Chapter 18.
- Covers
- Raw cocoa beans
- Roasted cocoa beans
- Whole cocoa beans
- Broken cocoa beans (cocoa nibs)
- Sun-dried or fermented cocoa beans
- Also under 1801.00
- Criollo beans
- Forastero beans
- Trinitario beans
- Ghana cocoa beans
- Ivory Coast cocoa beans
Codes often confused with 1801.00
Common mistake. Cocoa beans are frequently confused with HS code 1802.00, which covers only the shells, husks, and waste. If the beans have been ground into a liquid or solid mass, they must be classified under 1803.10. Additionally, if the beans are imported as part of a planting kit, they might be mistakenly classified under Chapter 12, though 1801.00 remains the specific heading for Theobroma cacao seeds.
Top exporters and importers of HS 180100 (the code used for cocoa beans), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 180100 (the code used for cocoa beans) in UN Comtrade data was Côte d'Ivoire, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 23% 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 180100, not only cocoa beans.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Côte d'Ivoire $7.0B 27% of world exports
- 2 Ecuador $4.2B 16% of world exports
- 3 Ghana $2.7B 11% of world exports
World total: $25.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $6.4B 23% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $3.9B 14% of world imports
- 3 United States $2.8B 10% of world imports
World total: $27.2B 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 cocoa beans
Brazil classifies cocoa beans under NCM 1801.00.00: HS 1801.00 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 cocoa beans
What is the HS code for Cocoa beans?
The HS code for Cocoa beans is 180100 (Cocoa beans; whole or broken, raw or roasted). The HS code for cocoa beans, whether whole or broken, raw or roasted, is 1801.00.
How do I classify Cocoa beans for customs?
Cocoa beans is classified under HS code 180100 — Cocoa beans; whole or broken, raw or roasted. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are cocoa nibs included under this HS code?
Yes, cocoa nibs are considered broken cocoa beans and are classified under HS code 1801.00.
Which countries are the top exporters of cocoa beans (HS 180100)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 180100 (the code used for cocoa beans) in UN Comtrade data were Côte d'Ivoire ($7.0B, 27% of world exports), Ecuador ($4.2B) and Ghana ($2.7B). World exports came to about $25.9B, 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 cocoa beans (HS 180100)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 180100 (the code used for cocoa beans) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($6.4B, 23% of world imports), Malaysia ($3.9B) and the United States ($2.8B). World imports came to about $27.2B, 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 Cocoa beans the same in all countries?
The base HS code 180100 for Cocoa beans 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 cocoa beans in Brazil?
In Brazil, cocoa beans (HS 180100) is classified under NCM 1801.00.00.