Product classification

HS code for Infant formula: 1901.10

Food preparations, of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, suitable for infants or young children, put up for retail sale.

Classification of infant formula under HS 1901.10

Infant formula is classified under HS code 1901.10, which covers food preparations of flour, meal, starch, malt extract, or milk products specifically designed for infants or young children. The classification is strictly regulated and requires the product to be "put up for retail sale." This means the formula must be packaged, labeled, and ready for the end consumer to use as a nutritional substitute or supplement for breast milk. These preparations often involve complex mixtures of proteins (whey or soy), fats, carbohydrates (lactose), and essential vitamins and minerals. The inclusion of these additives distinguishes the product from simple milk powder. To fall under this code, the preparation must be intended for children generally up to three years of age. The technical composition must align with the definitions of "preparations" in the Explanatory Notes to Chapter 19, ensuring that the product has undergone significant processing beyond mere drying or concentration.

Covers
  • Milk-based infant formula powder
  • Soy-based infant formula
  • Follow-on milk for toddlers in retail packs
  • Hypoallergenic infant nutritional preparations
  • Liquid ready-to-feed infant formula
Also under 1901.10
  • Similac Advance Infant Formula
  • Enfamil NeuroPro
  • Gerber Organic Oatmeal Cereal
  • Hipp Organic Baby Food
  • Aptamil Follow-On Milk

Codes often confused with 1901.10

Common mistake. Infant formula is frequently misclassified under 0402.10 or 0402.21, which are codes for basic milk powder. However, once vitamins or other nutrients are added for infant-specific nutrition, it must move to 1901.10. Another common error is using 2106.90 (food preparations n.e.s.), but 1901.10 is more specific and takes precedence for preparations intended for infants. Products not in retail packaging may also be misclassified here; they generally belong in other subheadings of 1901.

0402.10Dairy produce; milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content not exceeding 1.5% (by weight)0402.21Dairy produce; milk and cream, concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content exceeding 1.5% (by weight)2106.90Food preparations; n.e.c. in item no. 2106.1019.01Malt 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 190110 (the code used for infant formula), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 190110 (the code used for infant formula) in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% 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 190110, not only infant formula.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Netherlands $2.6B
  2. 2 Germany $1.4B
  3. 3 New Zealand $1.2B

World total: $10.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $4.6B
  2. 2 Saudi Arabia $723M
  3. 3 United States $362M

World total: $12.0B 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 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 infant formula

Brazil splits HS 1901.10 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 1901.10.10Modified milk for infants or young children
  • 1901.10.20Milk cereal flour for infants or young children
  • 1901.10.30Flour or starch food for infants or young children
  • 1901.10.90Other food for infants or young children

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

Questions about infant formula

What is the HS code for Infant formula?

The HS code for Infant formula is 190110 (Food preparations; of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, suitable for infants or young children, put up for retail sale). The HS code for infant formula put up for retail sale is 1901.10.

How do I classify Infant formula for customs?

Infant formula is classified under HS code 190110 — Food preparations; of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, suitable for infants or young children, put up for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is toddler milk classified under the same code?

Yes, preparations for young children (up to age 3) put up for retail sale are generally included in 1901.10.

Which countries are the top exporters of infant formula (HS 190110)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 190110 (the code used for infant formula) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($2.6B, 24% of world exports), Germany ($1.4B) and New Zealand ($1.2B). World exports came to about $10.8B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of infant formula (HS 190110)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 190110 (the code used for infant formula) in UN Comtrade data were China ($4.6B, 38% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($723M) and the United States ($362M). World imports came to about $12.0B, 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 Infant formula the same in all countries?

The base HS code 190110 for Infant formula 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 infant formula in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 190110 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for infant formula depends on the product's details: 1901.10.10 (Modified milk for infants or young children), 1901.10.20 (Milk cereal flour for infants or young children), 1901.10.30 (Flour or starch food for infants or young children), 1901.10.90 (Other food for infants or young children).