Product classification
HS code for Communion wafers: 1905.90
Food preparations, bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa, communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products.
Classification of communion wafers under HS 1905.90
Communion wafers are classified under HS code 1905.90. This classification falls within Chapter 19, which covers preparations of cereals, flour, starch, or milk, and pastrycooks' products. Heading 1905 specifically includes bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and other bakers' wares. Subheading 1905.90 is a broad category that explicitly mentions communion wafers, empty cachets of a kind suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice paper, and similar products. The classification is based on the composition of the product, which typically consists of wheat flour and water, baked without leavening agents. Despite their religious significance, the Harmonized System classifies them based on their physical characteristics as a bakery product. The manufacturing process involves baking the batter between hot metal plates to produce a thin, crisp wafer that is then cut into circular shapes. Because they do not contain added sugar, honey, eggs, or fats in significant quantities, they are excluded from the subheadings for sweet biscuits or waffles and are placed in the residual category of 1905.90.
- Covers
- Sacramental bread and altar breads
- Unleavened communion hosts
- Empty pharmaceutical cachets made of flour/starch
- Sealing wafers for legal documents
- Edible rice paper for confectionery use
- Also under 1905.90
- Hostia (communion wafers)
- Obleas (empty cachets)
- Rice Paper Wrappers (for spring rolls)
- Matzo Crackers
- Mission Taco Shells
Codes often confused with 1905.90
Common mistake. Communion wafers are sometimes misclassified under 1905.32, which covers waffles and wafers. However, 1905.32 is intended for sweet bakery products. They may also be confused with 1901.90, which covers general food preparations of flour, but the specific mention of "communion wafers" in the 1905.90 explanatory notes takes precedence.
Top exporters and importers of HS 190590 (the code used for communion wafers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 190590 (the code used for communion wafers) in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 11% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 190590, not only communion wafers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Canada $4.2B 11% of world exports
- 2 Germany $4.1B 11% of world exports
- 3 Italy $3.2B 8.4% of world exports
World total: $38.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $7.6B 19% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $3.4B 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Germany $3.0B 7.5% of world imports
World total: $40.4B 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 communion wafers
Brazil splits HS 1905.90 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 1905.90.10Tin loaf (sandwich) bread
- 1905.90.20Unsweetened crackers and biscuits
- 1905.90.90Other bread, pastry and bakers' wares
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about communion wafers
What is the HS code for Communion wafers?
The HS code for Communion wafers is 190590 (Food preparations; bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products). The HS code for communion wafers, as well as empty cachets for pharmaceutical use, is 1905.90.
How do I classify Communion wafers for customs?
Communion wafers is classified under HS code 190590 — Food preparations; bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are flavored wafers classified here?
No, if the wafers contain added sweeteners or chocolate, they would likely be reclassified under 1905.31 or 1905.32 as sweet biscuits or waffles.
Which countries are the top exporters of communion wafers (HS 190590)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 190590 (the code used for communion wafers) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($4.2B, 11% of world exports), Germany ($4.1B) and Italy ($3.2B). World exports came to about $38.5B, 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 communion wafers (HS 190590)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 190590 (the code used for communion wafers) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($7.6B, 19% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($3.4B) and Germany ($3.0B). World imports came to about $40.4B, 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 Communion wafers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 190590 for Communion wafers 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 communion wafers in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 190590 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for communion wafers depends on the product's details: 1905.90.10 (Tin loaf (sandwich) bread), 1905.90.20 (Unsweetened crackers and biscuits), 1905.90.90 (Other bread, pastry and bakers' wares).