Product classification

HS code for Hot chocolate mix: 1806.10

Cocoa, powder, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter.

Classification of hot chocolate mix under HS 1806.10

Hot chocolate mix is classified under HS code 1806.10. This code is situated within Chapter 18, which covers cocoa and cocoa preparations. Heading 1806 is the broad category for chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa. Subheading 1806.10 specifically targets cocoa powder that contains added sugar or other sweetening matter. This is the standard classification for most commercial instant cocoa mixes. The presence of sugar is the defining characteristic that moves the product from heading 1805 (pure cocoa powder) to 1806. Even if the mix contains other ingredients like powdered milk, creamer, salt, or flavorings (like vanilla or marshmallow bits), it remains under 1806.10 as long as it is essentially a sweetened cocoa powder preparation. The Harmonized System General Interpretative Rules (GIR) dictate that the cocoa content and the addition of sweeteners are the primary factors for this heading. If the product is a liquid chocolate drink, it might fall under 1806.90, but the dry mix is almost exclusively 1806.10.

Covers
  • Instant hot cocoa mix
  • Sweetened cocoa powder
  • Drinking chocolate powder
  • Cocoa mix with non-dairy creamer
  • Cocoa mix with mini marshmallows
Also under 1806.10
  • Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix
  • Nesquik
  • Cadbury Drinking Chocolate
  • Ovaltine
  • Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa (sweetened variants)

Codes often confused with 1806.10

Common mistake. A common error is using HS code 1805.00, which is strictly for cocoa powder containing no added sugar or sweeteners. Another misclassification is 1901.10 or 1901.90, which covers food preparations of flour, meal, or milk containing cocoa. However, if the product is primarily cocoa powder and sugar, 1806.10 is the specific and correct heading.

1805.00Cocoa; powder, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter1901.10Food preparations; of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, suitable for infants or young children, put up for retail sale1901.90Food preparations; of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses n.e.c. in heading no. 1901

Top exporters and importers of HS 180610 (the code used for hot chocolate mix), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 180610 (the code used for hot chocolate mix) in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 9.3% 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 180610, not only hot chocolate mix.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 South Korea $47M
  2. 2 Malaysia $38M
  3. 3 United States $33M

World total: $398M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Nigeria $40M
  2. 2 Japan $37M
  3. 3 France $31M

World total: $426M 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 hot chocolate mix

Brazil classifies hot chocolate mix under NCM 1806.10.00: HS 1806.10 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 hot chocolate mix

What is the HS code for Hot chocolate mix?

The HS code for Hot chocolate mix is 180610 (Cocoa; powder, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter). The HS code for sweetened hot chocolate mix in powder form is 1806.10.

How do I classify Hot chocolate mix for customs?

Hot chocolate mix is classified under HS code 180610 — Cocoa; powder, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What if the mix contains milk powder?

As long as the preparation is essentially cocoa powder with sugar, it remains in 1806.10, even if it contains milk powder as a secondary ingredient.

Which countries are the top exporters of hot chocolate mix (HS 180610)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 180610 (the code used for hot chocolate mix) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($47M, 12% of world exports), Malaysia ($38M) and the United States ($33M). World exports came to about $398M, 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 hot chocolate mix (HS 180610)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 180610 (the code used for hot chocolate mix) in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($40M, 9.3% of world imports), Japan ($37M) and France ($31M). World imports came to about $426M, 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 Hot chocolate mix the same in all countries?

The base HS code 180610 for Hot chocolate mix 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 hot chocolate mix in Brazil?

In Brazil, hot chocolate mix (HS 180610) is classified under NCM 1806.10.00.