Product classification
HS code for Preserved cucumbers: 0711.40
Vegetables, cucumbers and gherkins, provisionally preserved but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption.
Classification of preserved cucumbers under HS 0711.40
Preserved cucumbers and gherkins are classified under HS code 071140 when they are provisionally preserved but not yet ready for the table. Chapter 7 encompasses edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers. Heading 0711 is reserved for vegetables that have been treated to prevent spoilage during transport or long-term storage, often using brine, sulfur water, or other chemical solutions. The defining characteristic of products in this category is their unsuitability for immediate consumption in their current state. These cucumbers are usually bulk-shipped to processing facilities where they are desalted, flavored, and repackaged into the vinegar-based pickles found in retail stores. The classification relies heavily on the chemical composition of the preserving liquid and the intended industrial use of the vegetable. If the cucumbers have been preserved in vinegar or acetic acid, they are excluded from this heading and must be classified elsewhere, as vinegar preservation is considered a final preparation step rather than a provisional one.
- Covers
- Cucumbers in brine for pickling
- Gherkins in sulfur water
- Bulk cucumbers in preservative solutions for industrial use
- Provisionally preserved gherkins for further processing
- Also under 0711.40
Vlasic Pickling Cucumbers (before final processing), Mt. Olive Brined Gherkins (industrial supply), Kühne Gurken (raw material for pickling), B&G Pickles (bulk brined stock), Indian Gherkins (for export to processors)
Codes often confused with 0711.40
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is HS code 200110, which covers cucumbers and gherkins prepared or preserved by vinegar or acetic acid. These are the standard "pickles" ready for consumption. Additionally, fresh cucumbers fall under 070700. The key difference is the preservation medium and whether the product is ready to eat.
Top exporters and importers of HS 071140 (the code used for preserved cucumbers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 071140 (the code used for preserved cucumbers) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 69% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 19% 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 071140, not only preserved cucumbers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $100M 69% of world exports
- 2 China $10.0M 6.9% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $7.8M 5.4% of world exports
World total: $145M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $32M 19% of world imports
- 2 Spain $19M 12% of world imports
- 3 Russia* ~$18M 11% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $163M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 preserved cucumbers
Brazil classifies preserved cucumbers under NCM 0711.40.00: HS 0711.40 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about preserved cucumbers
What is the HS code for Preserved cucumbers?
The HS code for Preserved cucumbers is 071140 (Vegetables; cucumbers and gherkins, provisionally preserved but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption). The HS code for cucumbers and gherkins provisionally preserved but unsuitable for immediate consumption is 071140.
How do I classify Preserved cucumbers for customs?
Preserved cucumbers is classified under HS code 071140 — Vegetables; cucumbers and gherkins, provisionally preserved but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can these cucumbers be eaten directly from the brine?
Generally, no. Products under 071140 are considered unsuitable for immediate consumption due to the high concentration of preservatives or salt, requiring further processing.
Which countries are the top exporters of preserved cucumbers (HS 071140)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 071140 (the code used for preserved cucumbers) in UN Comtrade data were India ($100M, 69% of world exports), China ($10.0M) and the Netherlands ($7.8M). World exports came to about $145M, 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 preserved cucumbers (HS 071140)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 071140 (the code used for preserved cucumbers) in UN Comtrade data were France ($32M, 19% of world imports), Spain ($19M) and Russia (about $18M). World imports came to about $163M, 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 Preserved cucumbers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 071140 for Preserved cucumbers 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 preserved cucumbers in Brazil?
In Brazil, preserved cucumbers (HS 071140) is classified under NCM 0711.40.00.