Product classification

HS code for Food supplements: 2106.90

Food preparations, n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10.

Classification of food supplements under HS 2106.90

Food supplements are classified under HS code 2106.90, which serves as a residual category for food preparations not elsewhere specified or included. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, heading 2106 includes preparations used as food supplements consisting of vitamins, minerals, or other substances intended to maintain general health or well-being. These products are often presented in measured doses such as capsules, tablets, or powders. The classification logic relies on the fact that these items are not medicaments of Chapter 30 because they do not contain a specific active ingredient in a quantity sufficient to provide a therapeutic or prophylactic effect against a specific disease. Instead, they are considered nutritional aids. The composition usually involves a mixture of nutrients with excipients like starch or magnesium stearate, which classifies them as 'preparations' rather than pure chemical compounds.

Covers
  • Multivitamin capsules for daily health
  • Protein powders with added flavoring or vitamins
  • Herbal extracts in tablet form for general wellness
  • Omega-3 fish oil capsules
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements
  • Electrolyte replacement powders
Also under 2106.90
  • Ensure nutritional drinks
  • Clif Bars
  • Gatorade powder
  • Splenda artificial sweetener
  • Xanthan gum (food grade)
  • various vitamin supplements
  • Red Bull (concentrate)
  • Boost nutritional drinks

Codes often confused with 2106.90

Common mistake. Food supplements are frequently misclassified under 3004.90, which covers medicaments. To be classified in 3004, a product must have clear medicinal properties and be intended for treating a specific ailment. Another common error is using 2936 for pure vitamins; however, 2936 only applies to vitamins in their pure chemical state, not when they are mixed into a preparation with other ingredients for retail sale. Additionally, 1901 is sometimes used for protein-based supplements, but 2106.90 is the more specific catch-all for modern dietary supplements.

3004.90Medicaments; consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale30.04Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale29.36Provitamins, vitamins; natural or reproduced by synthesis (including natural concentrates) derivatives thereof used as vitamins, and intermixtures of the fore-going, whether or not in any solvent19.01Malt extract; flour/groats/meal/starch/malt extract products, no cocoa (or less than 40% by weight) and food preparations of goods of headings 04.01 to 04.04, no cocoa (or less than 5% by weight), weights calculated on a totally defatted basis, n.e.c.

Top exporters and importers of HS 210690 (the code used for food supplements), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 210690 (the code used for food supplements) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 10% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 11% 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 210690, not only food supplements.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Germany $6.8B
  2. 2 United States $6.7B
  3. 3 Netherlands $4.8B

World total: $66.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $7.5B
  2. 2 United States $6.2B
  3. 3 Germany $4.0B

World total: $68.8B 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 food supplements

Brazil splits HS 2106.90 into 8 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about food supplements

What is the HS code for Food supplements?

The HS code for Food supplements is 210690 (Food preparations; n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10). The HS code for most dietary and food supplements is 2106.90.

How do I classify Food supplements for customs?

Food supplements is classified under HS code 210690 — Food preparations; n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Can a supplement be classified as a medicine?

Yes, if the product makes specific therapeutic claims or contains high concentrations of active ingredients intended to cure a disease, it may be reclassified under HS code 3004.

Which countries are the top exporters of food supplements (HS 210690)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 210690 (the code used for food supplements) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($6.8B, 10% of world exports), the United States ($6.7B) and the Netherlands ($4.8B). World exports came to about $66.3B, 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 food supplements (HS 210690)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 210690 (the code used for food supplements) in UN Comtrade data were China ($7.5B, 11% of world imports), the United States ($6.2B) and Germany ($4.0B). World imports came to about $68.8B, 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 Food supplements the same in all countries?

The base HS code 210690 for Food supplements 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 food supplements in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 210690 into 8 NCM codes, so the right one for food supplements depends on the product's details: 2106.90.10 (Preparations for making beverages), 2106.90.21 (Pudding powders in packings of 1 kg or less), 2106.90.29 (Other pudding, cream, ice cream and jelly powders), 2106.90.30 (Food supplements), 2106.90.40 (Sodium ascorbate and glucose mixes for sausages), 2106.90.50 (Sugar-free chewing gum), and more.