Product classification
HS code for Peat litter: 2703.00
Peat, (including peat litter), whether or not agglomerated.
Classification of peat litter under HS 2703.00
Peat litter is classified under HS code 2703.00, which covers peat of all varieties, including peat litter, whether or not it has been agglomerated. Peat is a complex material consisting of partially carbonized vegetable matter that has formed under conditions of high moisture and limited air supply. In the Harmonized System, Chapter 27 is dedicated to mineral fuels and mineral oils, and peat is included here due to its carbonaceous nature and historical use as a fuel. However, the heading 2703.00 is broad and includes peat used for non-fuel purposes, such as animal bedding (litter) or as a soil improver in horticulture. The classification remains 2703.00 even if the peat has been dried, ground, or compressed into blocks for easier transport. One of the critical aspects of this classification is that the peat must not be mixed with significant amounts of other substances. While the Explanatory Notes allow for the addition of small amounts of nutrients or lime for pH adjustment, the product must retain its essential character as peat. If the mixture becomes a complex fertilizer, it may shift to Chapter 31.
- Covers
- Peat moss litter
- Horticultural peat
- Agglomerated peat blocks
- Dried and ground peat for animal bedding
- Natural peat for soil conditioning
- Also under 2703.00
- Klasmann-Deilmann peat substrates
- Jiffy peat pellets
- Lambert Peat Moss
- Premier Tech Horticulture peat products
Codes often confused with 2703.00
Common mistake. Peat litter is often misclassified under HS code 3101.00, which covers animal or vegetable fertilizers. While peat improves soil structure, it is not technically a fertilizer in its pure form. Another common error is using 3105.90 for soil sub-strates. Unless the peat is heavily fortified with nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium, it remains in 2703.00. Additionally, peat pots for plants are classified elsewhere (usually 6815), not under the raw material code 2703.00.
Top exporters and importers of HS 270300 (the code used for peat litter), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 270300 (the code used for peat litter) in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% of world imports. The Netherlands reports $17.6B of its chapter 27 imports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 270300, not only peat litter.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Canada $405M 21% of world exports
- 2 Latvia $382M 20% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $230M 12% of world exports
World total: $1.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $411M 19% of world imports
- 2 China $178M 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $176M 8.3% of world imports
The Netherlands reports $17.6B of its chapter 27 imports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
World total: $2.1B 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 peat litter
Brazil classifies peat litter under NCM 2703.00.00: HS 2703.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about peat litter
What is the HS code for Peat litter?
The HS code for Peat litter is 270300 (Peat; (including peat litter), whether or not agglomerated). The HS code for peat litter is 2703.00, which includes all forms of peat.
How do I classify Peat litter for customs?
Peat litter is classified under HS code 270300 — Peat; (including peat litter), whether or not agglomerated. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is peat litter classified as a fertilizer?
No, pure peat litter is classified as a mineral substance under 2703.00. It is only classified in Chapter 31 if it is mixed with substantial fertilizing elements.
Which countries are the top exporters of peat litter (HS 270300)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 270300 (the code used for peat litter) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($405M, 21% of world exports), Latvia ($382M) and the Netherlands ($230M). World exports came to about $1.9B, 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 peat litter (HS 270300)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 270300 (the code used for peat litter) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($411M, 19% of world imports), China ($178M) and the Netherlands ($176M). World imports came to about $2.1B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). The Netherlands reports $17.6B of its chapter 27 imports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
Is the HS code for Peat litter the same in all countries?
The base HS code 270300 for Peat litter 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 peat litter in Brazil?
In Brazil, peat litter (HS 270300) is classified under NCM 2703.00.00.