Product classification
HS code for Roquefort cheese: 0406.40
Dairy produce, cheese, blue-veined and other cheese containing veins produced by Penicillium roqueforti (not grated, powdered or processed).
Classification of roquefort cheese under HS 0406.40
Roquefort cheese is classified under HS code 0406.40, which is a specific category for blue-veined cheese and other cheese containing veins produced by the mold Penicillium roqueforti. Chapter 4 of the Harmonized System covers dairy produce, and heading 0406 is dedicated to cheese and curd. Subheading 0406.40 is unique because it identifies cheese not by its moisture content or fat percentage, but by the specific biological agent used during the ripening process. Roquefort, a sheep milk cheese from France, is the quintessential example of this category. The classification requires the presence of visible blue or green veins throughout the cheese mass, which are characteristic of the internal mold growth. This code excludes processed cheeses, even if they contain blue-veined cheese as an ingredient, as those are classified under 0406.30. The specific mention of Penicillium roqueforti in the HS description ensures that all traditional blue cheeses are grouped together regardless of the animal milk source.
- Covers
- Roquefort (PDO)
- Gorgonzola
- Stilton cheese
- Danish Blue (Danablu)
- Bleu d'Auvergne
- Also under 0406.40
- Roquefort Société
- Gorgonzola Dolce
- Colston Bassett Stilton
- Castello Danish Blue
Codes often confused with 0406.40
Common mistake. Roquefort is sometimes incorrectly classified under 0406.90, which is the catch-all category for "Other cheese." However, because 0406.40 specifically describes blue-veined cheese, it must be used according to GRI 1. Another error involves processed blue cheese spreads, which must be classified under 0406.30 (processed cheese, not grated or powdered) rather than the code for natural blue-veined cheese.
Top exporters and importers of HS 040640 (the code used for roquefort cheese), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 040640 (the code used for roquefort cheese) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, 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 040640, not only roquefort cheese.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $262M 33% of world exports
- 2 Denmark $155M 19% of world exports
- 3 France $142M 18% of world exports
World total: $800M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $120M 14% of world imports
- 2 Spain $82M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 France $81M 9.6% of world imports
World total: $848M 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 roquefort cheese
Brazil classifies roquefort cheese under NCM 0406.40.00: HS 0406.40 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about roquefort cheese
What is the HS code for Roquefort cheese?
The HS code for Roquefort cheese is 040640 (Dairy produce; cheese, blue-veined and other cheese containing veins produced by Penicillium roqueforti (not grated, powdered or processed)). The HS code for Roquefort and other blue-veined cheeses is 0406.40.
How do I classify Roquefort cheese for customs?
Roquefort cheese is classified under HS code 040640 — Dairy produce; cheese, blue-veined and other cheese containing veins produced by Penicillium roqueforti (not grated, powdered or processed). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include blue cheese crumbles?
If the crumbles are simply broken pieces of natural blue cheese, they remain in 0406.40. If they are processed with anti-caking agents, they may move to 0406.20.
Which countries are the top exporters of roquefort cheese (HS 040640)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 040640 (the code used for roquefort cheese) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($262M, 33% of world exports), Denmark ($155M) and France ($142M). World exports came to about $800M, 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 roquefort cheese (HS 040640)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 040640 (the code used for roquefort cheese) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($120M, 14% of world imports), Spain ($82M) and France ($81M). World imports came to about $848M, 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 Roquefort cheese the same in all countries?
The base HS code 040640 for Roquefort cheese 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 roquefort cheese in Brazil?
In Brazil, roquefort cheese (HS 040640) is classified under NCM 0406.40.00.