Product classification
HS code for Ketchup: 2103.20
Sauces, tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces.
Classification of ketchup under HS 2103.20
Tomato ketchup is classified under HS code 2103.20. This classification falls within Chapter 21, which encompasses miscellaneous edible preparations. The determination for this code is based on the product being a 'prepared sauce.' According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, heading 2103 includes preparations used to season or accompany food, which are made from various ingredients. Ketchup is distinct from simple tomato purees or pastes because it contains added vinegar, sugar, salt, and a specific blend of spices (such as onion, celery, and mustard seed). Under the General Rules of Interpretation, specifically GRI 1, the product is classified by its character as a condiment. Even if the tomato content is high, the addition of these flavoring agents and its use as a table sauce move it from Chapter 20 (preparations of vegetables) to Chapter 21. This code applies to both standard tomato ketchup and variations that may include additional flavorings like chili or smoke, provided the tomato base remains the defining characteristic.
- Covers
- Standard tomato ketchup
- Organic tomato ketchup
- Spicy or chili-infused tomato ketchup
- Curry ketchup
- Low-sodium or sugar-free tomato ketchup
- Also under 2103.20
- Heinz Ketchup
- Prego Pasta Sauce
- Ragu Pasta Sauce
- Hunt's Tomato Sauce
- Mutti Passata
Codes often confused with 2103.20
Common mistake. Ketchup is often misclassified under HS code 2002.90, which covers tomatoes prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid (such as tomato paste or puree). The distinction lies in the seasoning; 2002.90 is for intermediate ingredients, while 2103.20 is for finished sauces. Additionally, some importers confuse it with 2103.90, the 'other' sauces category. However, because 2103.20 specifically names 'tomato ketchup,' it must be used over the more general 'other' category.
Top exporters and importers of HS 210320 (the code used for ketchup), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 210320 (the code used for ketchup) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 210320, not only ketchup.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $520M 18% of world exports
- 2 United States $390M 14% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $385M 13% of world exports
World total: $2.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $481M 14% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $302M 9.0% of world imports
- 3 Germany $288M 8.6% of world imports
World total: $3.4B 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 ketchup
Brazil splits HS 2103.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 2103.20.10Ketchup and tomato sauces, packs of 1 kg or less
- 2103.20.90Ketchup and tomato sauces, packs over 1 kg
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about ketchup
What is the HS code for Ketchup?
The HS code for Ketchup is 210320 (Sauces; tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces). The HS code for tomato ketchup and other tomato-based sauces is 2103.20.
How do I classify Ketchup for customs?
Ketchup is classified under HS code 210320 — Sauces; tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include tomato paste?
No, tomato paste is typically classified under HS code 2002.90 as it is a vegetable preparation without the added seasonings and vinegar that define a sauce.
Which countries are the top exporters of ketchup (HS 210320)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 210320 (the code used for ketchup) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($520M, 18% of world exports), the United States ($390M) and the Netherlands ($385M). World exports came to about $2.9B, 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 ketchup (HS 210320)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 210320 (the code used for ketchup) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($481M, 14% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($302M) and Germany ($288M). World imports came to about $3.4B, 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 Ketchup the same in all countries?
The base HS code 210320 for Ketchup 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 ketchup in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 210320 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for ketchup depends on the product's details: 2103.20.10 (Ketchup and tomato sauces, packs of 1 kg or less), 2103.20.90 (Ketchup and tomato sauces, packs over 1 kg).