Product classification
HS code for Defatted cocoa paste: 1803.20
Cocoa, paste, wholly or partly defatted.
Classification of defatted cocoa paste under HS 1803.20
Defatted cocoa paste is classified under HS code 1803.20. This classification is part of Chapter 18, which covers cocoa and cocoa preparations. Heading 1803 is specifically designated for cocoa paste, whether or not defatted. The heading is split into two subheadings: 1803.10 for paste that has not been defatted (often called cocoa liquor or mass) and 1803.20 for paste that has been wholly or partly defatted. Defatted cocoa paste is produced by taking cocoa nibs, grinding them into a paste, and then using a hydraulic press to remove a portion of the cocoa butter. The resulting material, often referred to as "cocoa press cake," remains classified as paste under 1803.20 as long as it has not been ground into a fine powder. This classification is vital because the fat content (cocoa butter) is a primary factor in determining the value and the specific tariff treatment of cocoa products.
- Covers
- Cocoa press cake (partly defatted)
- Low-fat cocoa mass
- Wholly defatted cocoa paste in bulk blocks
- Partially defatted cocoa liquor used in industrial baking
- Also under 1803.20
- Barry Callebaut defatted cocoa mass
- Cargill low-fat cocoa liquor
- Olam partly defatted cocoa paste
Codes often confused with 1803.20
Common mistake. Defatted cocoa paste is most commonly misclassified as HS code 1805.00, which covers cocoa powder. The distinction is purely physical: 1803.20 is for paste or cake (solid or semi-solid blocks), while 1805.00 is for the product once it has been pulverized into a fine powder. Another error is using 1803.10, which is only for full-fat cocoa paste. If any amount of cocoa butter has been intentionally removed to meet specific fat-content percentages, the product must move to 1803.20. Finally, if sugar or other sweeteners are added, the product may move to heading 1806.
Top exporters and importers of HS 180320 (the code used for defatted cocoa paste), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 180320 (the code used for defatted cocoa paste) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 25% 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 180320, not only defatted cocoa paste.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $219M 23% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $181M 19% of world exports
- 3 Cameroon* ~$161M 17% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $956M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $493M 25% of world imports
- 2 United States $374M 19% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $316M 16% of world imports
World total: $2.0B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 defatted cocoa paste
Brazil classifies defatted cocoa paste under NCM 1803.20.00: HS 1803.20 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 defatted cocoa paste
What is the HS code for Defatted cocoa paste?
The HS code for Defatted cocoa paste is 180320 (Cocoa; paste, wholly or partly defatted). The correct HS code for cocoa paste that has had some or all of its fat removed is 1803.20.
How do I classify Defatted cocoa paste for customs?
Defatted cocoa paste is classified under HS code 180320 — Cocoa; paste, wholly or partly defatted. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is cocoa press cake the same as cocoa powder?
No. Cocoa press cake is the solid result of the fat extraction process and is classified under 1803.20. Once that cake is ground into a fine dust, it becomes cocoa powder under 1805.00.
Which countries are the top exporters of defatted cocoa paste (HS 180320)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 180320 (the code used for defatted cocoa paste) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($219M, 23% of world exports), Malaysia ($181M) and Cameroon (about $161M). World exports came to about $956M, 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 defatted cocoa paste (HS 180320)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 180320 (the code used for defatted cocoa paste) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($493M, 25% of world imports), the United States ($374M) and the Netherlands ($316M). World imports came to about $2.0B, 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 Defatted cocoa paste the same in all countries?
The base HS code 180320 for Defatted cocoa paste 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 defatted cocoa paste in Brazil?
In Brazil, defatted cocoa paste (HS 180320) is classified under NCM 1803.20.00.