Product classification
HS code for Pet food: 2309.10
Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding.
Classification of pet food under HS 2309.10
Pet food intended for dogs or cats is classified under HS code 2309.10. This classification is part of Chapter 23, which covers residues and waste from the food industries and prepared animal fodder. Heading 2309 is dedicated to preparations of a kind used in animal feeding. The subheading 2309.10 specifically targets food for dogs or cats that is put up for retail sale. This means the packaging is designed for the end consumer rather than bulk industrial use. The classification includes products that provide a complete nutritional balance or serve as supplementary treats. The essential character of the product must be its suitability for animal consumption. Products that are simply raw meat or fish without further preparation or additives might fall under Chapters 2 or 3, but once they are processed, seasoned, or mixed with vitamins and packaged specifically for pets, 2309.10 becomes the appropriate code. This follows GRI 1, which prioritizes the terms of the headings and the specific retail-sale requirement of the subheading.
- Covers
- Dry kibble for dogs and cats
- Canned wet food and pâtés
- Pet treats and biscuits
- Semi-moist pet snacks
- Therapeutic or prescription pet diets
- Dehydrated or freeze-dried pet meals
- Also under 2309.10
- Royal Canin Adult Dog Food
- Purina Pro Plan Cat Food
- Hill's Science Diet Puppy Food
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food
- Whiskas Wet Cat Food.
Codes often confused with 2309.10
Common mistake. Pet food is often misclassified under 2309.90, which is a residual category for other animal feeds (like livestock feed). Another common error is using 1604 or 1605 for fish or meat-based pet foods; however, Chapter 16 is generally reserved for human consumption. If the product is not in retail packaging, it must be classified under 2309.90 even if it is intended for dogs or cats.
Top exporters and importers of HS 230910 (the code used for pet food), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 230910 (the code used for pet food) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% 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 230910, not only pet food.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $3.4B 12% of world exports
- 2 Thailand $2.9B 10% of world exports
- 3 Poland $2.7B 9.6% of world exports
World total: $27.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $3.2B 12% of world imports
- 2 United States $2.4B 8.6% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $1.8B 6.6% of world imports
World total: $27.9B 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 pet food
Brazil classifies pet food under NCM 2309.10.00: HS 2309.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about pet food
What is the HS code for Pet food?
The HS code for Pet food is 230910 (Dog or cat food; put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding). The HS code for dog or cat food put up for retail sale is 2309.10.
How do I classify Pet food for customs?
Pet food is classified under HS code 230910 — Dog or cat food; put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is bird seed classified under this pet food code?
No, bird seed is typically classified under Chapter 10 (Cereals) or Chapter 12 (Oil seeds) depending on the specific grain or seed type, as 2309.10 is strictly for dog and cat food.
Which countries are the top exporters of pet food (HS 230910)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 230910 (the code used for pet food) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($3.4B, 12% of world exports), Thailand ($2.9B) and Poland ($2.7B). World exports came to about $27.9B, 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 pet food (HS 230910)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 230910 (the code used for pet food) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($3.2B, 12% of world imports), the United States ($2.4B) and the United Kingdom ($1.8B). World imports came to about $27.9B, 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.
Is the HS code for Pet food the same in all countries?
The base HS code 230910 for Pet food 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 pet food in Brazil?
In Brazil, pet food (HS 230910) is classified under NCM 2309.10.00.