Product classification
HS code for Cocoa husks: 1802.00
Cocoa, shells, husks, skins and other cocoa waste.
Classification of cocoa husks under HS 1802.00
Cocoa husks, shells, and skins are classified under HS code 1802.00. This is a single-level heading that specifically covers the waste products generated during the processing of cocoa beans. When cocoa beans are roasted and cracked, the outer shell or husk is separated from the inner nib. This husk, along with the thin silver skin and any other residual waste from the winnowing process, is captured by this code. The classification is straightforward because heading 1802 is dedicated exclusively to these by-products. Even if these husks are subsequently ground into a fine powder for use in animal feed, as a source of dietary fiber in food processing, or as garden mulch, they remain classified here because the heading specifically mentions "waste." This follows GRI 1, where the heading text provides the primary basis for classification. The absence of subheadings under 1802 means that all forms of cocoa shell waste, regardless of their intended end-use or physical state (whole or crushed), are grouped together.
- Covers
- Cocoa bean shells
- Outer cocoa husks
- Thin inner cocoa skins (silverskins)
- Cocoa dust and fines from winnowing
- Also under 1802.00
- Cocoa shell mulch
- cocoa husk tea
- cocoa shell animal bedding
- cocoa bean shell extract
Codes often confused with 1802.00
Common mistake. Cocoa husks are sometimes misclassified under 1801.00, which is reserved for whole or broken cocoa beans. However, 1801.00 is intended for the primary product (the bean and nib), whereas 1802.00 is for the waste material. They might also be confused with 2308.00 (vegetable materials for animal feed), but the specificity of heading 1802 for cocoa waste takes precedence.
Top exporters and importers of HS 180200 (the code used for cocoa husks), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 180200 (the code used for cocoa husks) in UN Comtrade data was Côte d'Ivoire, with 96% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 19% 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 180200, not only cocoa husks.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Côte d'Ivoire $1.1B 96% of world exports
- 2 Germany $7.8M 0.7% of world exports
- 3 France $5.7M 0.5% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $10M 19% of world imports
- 2 Germany $6.7M 13% of world imports
- 3 Lithuania $6.2M 12% of world imports
World total: $53M 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 husks
Brazil classifies cocoa husks under NCM 1802.00.00: HS 1802.00 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 husks
What is the HS code for Cocoa husks?
The HS code for Cocoa husks is 180200 (Cocoa; shells, husks, skins and other cocoa waste). The HS code for cocoa husks, shells, and skins is 1802.00.
How do I classify Cocoa husks for customs?
Cocoa husks is classified under HS code 180200 — Cocoa; shells, husks, skins and other cocoa waste. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can cocoa husks be classified as fertilizer?
While they are used as mulch or fertilizer, they are still classified under 1802.00 because the HS nomenclature prioritizes the material origin (cocoa waste) over the end-use.
Which countries are the top exporters of cocoa husks (HS 180200)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 180200 (the code used for cocoa husks) in UN Comtrade data were Côte d'Ivoire ($1.1B, 96% of world exports), Germany ($7.8M) and France ($5.7M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 husks (HS 180200)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 180200 (the code used for cocoa husks) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($10M, 19% of world imports), Germany ($6.7M) and Lithuania ($6.2M). World imports came to about $53M, 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 husks the same in all countries?
The base HS code 180200 for Cocoa husks 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 husks in Brazil?
In Brazil, cocoa husks (HS 180200) is classified under NCM 1802.00.00.