Product classification
HS code for Cocoa shells: 1802.00
Cocoa, shells, husks, skins and other cocoa waste.
Classification of cocoa shells under HS 1802.00
HS code 1802.00 is the designated classification for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and other cocoa waste. This code is unique because it captures the by-products of the cocoa bean processing industry. During the production of cocoa paste or butter, the outer integuments of the cocoa bean are removed. These materials, while not suitable for high-end chocolate production, have commercial value in animal feed, fertilizer, or the extraction of theobromine. The classification is straightforward as 1802.00 is a "single-dash" heading that encompasses all forms of cocoa waste. It is important to distinguish these from the beans themselves (1801) or the processed products (1803-1805). Even if the shells are ground into a fine dust, they remain under this heading because they are fundamentally waste products of the de-hulling process. The classification applies regardless of whether the waste is intended for human consumption (such as in certain herbal teas) or industrial use.
- Covers
- Cocoa bean shells
- Cocoa husks
- Cocoa skins
- Cocoa dust and waste
- Cocoa germs
- 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 shells are sometimes misclassified under HS code 1801.00 (cocoa beans) if they contain a high percentage of broken beans. They may also be confused with HS code 2308.00, which covers vegetable materials and waste used in animal feeding, but the specific heading for cocoa waste (1802.00) takes precedence according to GRI 3(a).
Top exporters and importers of HS 180200 (the code used for cocoa shells), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 180200 (the code used for cocoa shells) 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 shells.
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 shells
Brazil classifies cocoa shells 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 shells
What is the HS code for Cocoa shells?
The HS code for Cocoa shells is 180200 (Cocoa; shells, husks, skins and other cocoa waste). The HS code for cocoa shells, husks, and skins is 1802.00.
How do I classify Cocoa shells for customs?
Cocoa shells is classified under HS code 180200 — Cocoa; shells, husks, skins and other cocoa waste. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can these be used for mulch?
Yes, cocoa shells used for garden mulch are still classified under HS code 1802.00 as they are a form of cocoa waste.
Which countries are the top exporters of cocoa shells (HS 180200)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 180200 (the code used for cocoa shells) 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 shells (HS 180200)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 180200 (the code used for cocoa shells) 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 shells the same in all countries?
The base HS code 180200 for Cocoa shells 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 shells in Brazil?
In Brazil, cocoa shells (HS 180200) is classified under NCM 1802.00.00.