Product classification
HS code for Sausages: 1601.00
Meat preparations, sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal, blood or insects, and food preparations based on these products.
Classification of sausages under HS 1601.00
Sausages and similar meat preparations are classified under HS code 1601.00. This heading is part of Chapter 16, which covers preparations of meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. The classification 1601.00 is very specific, covering sausages and similar products made from meat, meat offal, or blood. It also includes food preparations based on these products. According to the General Rules for Interpretation, a product is classified as a sausage if the meat has been minced or finely chopped and subsequently stuffed into a casing or molded into a characteristic shape. This applies whether the product is raw, cooked, smoked, or otherwise preserved. The inclusion of "insects" in the description is a recent addition to the Harmonized System to account for evolving food technologies and alternative protein sources. The primary factor for classification is the processed nature of the meat and its presentation as a sausage-style product.
- Covers
- Pork, beef, and poultry sausages in natural or artificial casings
- Salami, pepperoni, and other fermented dry sausages
- Frankfurters, hot dogs, and viennas
- Blood sausages (black pudding) and liver sausages
- Insect-based sausages and similar meat-alternative preparations
- Also under 1601.00
- Johnsonville Brats
- Oscar Mayer Wieners
- Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage
- Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage
Codes often confused with 1601.00
Common mistake. Sausages are often misclassified under various headings in Chapter 02, such as 0201, 0202, or 0203. However, Chapter 02 only covers meat that is fresh, chilled, or frozen and has not undergone preparation beyond basic butchery. Once meat is minced and seasoned or put into a casing, it must be classified under 1601.00. Another common error is using HS code 1602, which is the residual category for "other prepared or preserved meat." If a product meets the definition of a sausage, 1601.00 is the specific heading and must be used instead of the more general 1602.
Top exporters and importers of HS 160100 (the code used for sausages), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160100 (the code used for sausages) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 13% 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 160100, not only sausages.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $1.1B 13% of world exports
- 2 Germany $1.0B 13% of world exports
- 3 United States $957M 12% of world exports
World total: $8.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $1.1B 14% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $1.0B 13% of world imports
- 3 France $574M 7.2% of world imports
World total: $7.9B 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 sausages
Brazil classifies sausages under NCM 1601.00.00: HS 1601.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about sausages
What is the HS code for Sausages?
The HS code for Sausages is 160100 (Meat preparations; sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal, blood or insects, and food preparations based on these products). The universal HS code for sausages and similar meat products is 1601.00.
How do I classify Sausages for customs?
Sausages is classified under HS code 160100 — Meat preparations; sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal, blood or insects, and food preparations based on these products. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include vegetarian or vegan sausages?
No, vegan sausages made entirely from plant-based proteins are typically classified under HS code 2106.90 (food preparations n.e.c.) or Chapter 19, as 1601.00 requires a base of meat, offal, blood, or insects.
Which countries are the top exporters of sausages (HS 160100)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160100 (the code used for sausages) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($1.1B, 13% of world exports), Germany ($1.0B) and the United States ($957M). World exports came to about $8.3B, 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 sausages (HS 160100)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 160100 (the code used for sausages) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.1B, 14% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($1.0B) and France ($574M). World imports came to about $7.9B, 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 Sausages the same in all countries?
The base HS code 160100 for Sausages 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 sausages in Brazil?
In Brazil, sausages (HS 160100) is classified under NCM 1601.00.00.