Product classification
HS code for Fresh cheese: 0406.10
Dairy produce, fresh cheese (including whey cheese), not fermented, and curd.
Classification of fresh cheese under HS 0406.10
Fresh cheese, including whey cheese and curd, is classified under HS code 040610. This classification is part of Chapter 4, which covers dairy produce, birds' eggs, natural honey, and edible products of animal origin not elsewhere specified. Heading 0406 is the primary category for all cheese and curd. Subheading 040610 is specifically reserved for fresh cheese that has not undergone any ripening or curing process. According to the Harmonized System Explanatory Notes, fresh cheese is a product that is ready for consumption shortly after manufacture. This includes curd, which is the coagulated part of milk used as a base for cheese making. Whey cheese, obtained by concentrating whey and adding milk or milk fat, is also included here if it is not ripened. The distinction between fresh cheese and other types of cheese is based on the moisture content and the absence of aging. Ripened cheeses, which undergo biochemical changes over time, are classified under other subheadings such as 040690. The classification of fresh cheese is important for international trade as it often carries different tariff rates and is subject to stricter sanitary and shelf-life regulations compared to aged cheeses. Importers must provide documentation verifying that the cheese is indeed unripened to qualify for this specific HS code. Furthermore, this code excludes products like yogurt or kefir, which are classified under heading 0403, even though they are dairy-based.
- Covers
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese
- Fresh Mozzarella (in brine or water)
- Ricotta (fresh whey cheese)
- Unripened cheese curd
- Queso Fresco
- Also under 0406.10
- Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- Galbani Ricotta
- Arla Cottage Cheese
- Amul Paneer
Codes often confused with 0406.10
Common mistake. Fresh cheese is often misclassified under HS code 040690, which is a residual category for "other" ripened cheeses like Cheddar or Gouda. It is also sometimes confused with processed cheese (not grated or powdered), which falls under 040630. Additionally, fermented milk products like yogurt are correctly classified under 040320, not as fresh cheese.
Top exporters and importers of HS 040610 (the code used for fresh cheese), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 040610 (the code used for fresh cheese) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, 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 040610, not only fresh cheese.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $2.8B 21% of world exports
- 2 Italy $2.4B 18% of world exports
- 3 Denmark $1.3B 9.5% of world exports
World total: $13.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $1.3B 11% of world imports
- 2 France $1.1B 8.9% of world imports
- 3 Germany $1.0B 8.3% of world imports
World total: $12.7B 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 fresh cheese
Brazil splits HS 0406.10 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0406.10.10Fresh mozzarella cheese
- 0406.10.90Other fresh cheese and curd
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh cheese
What is the HS code for Fresh cheese?
The HS code for Fresh cheese is 040610 (Dairy produce; fresh cheese (including whey cheese), not fermented, and curd). The HS code for fresh cheese, including whey cheese and curd, is 040610.
How do I classify Fresh cheese for customs?
Fresh cheese is classified under HS code 040610 — Dairy produce; fresh cheese (including whey cheese), not fermented, and curd. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is ricotta classified under this code?
Yes, ricotta is typically classified under 040610 because it is a fresh, unripened whey cheese.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh cheese (HS 040610)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 040610 (the code used for fresh cheese) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($2.8B, 21% of world exports), Italy ($2.4B) and Denmark ($1.3B). World exports came to about $13.6B, 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 fresh cheese (HS 040610)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 040610 (the code used for fresh cheese) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($1.3B, 11% of world imports), France ($1.1B) and Germany ($1.0B). World imports came to about $12.7B, 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 Fresh cheese the same in all countries?
The base HS code 040610 for Fresh cheese 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 fresh cheese in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 040610 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for fresh cheese depends on the product's details: 0406.10.10 (Fresh mozzarella cheese), 0406.10.90 (Other fresh cheese and curd).