Product classification
HS code for Sweet biscuits: 1905.31
Food preparations, sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa.
Classification of sweet biscuits under HS 1905.31
Sweet biscuits are classified under HS code 190531. This classification is located in Chapter 19, which covers preparations of cereals, flour, starch, or milk, and pastrycooks' products. Heading 1905 includes bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and other bakers' wares. Subheading 190531 is specifically dedicated to sweet biscuits. To be classified here, the product must be a baked commodity characterized by a relatively low moisture content (typically less than 10%) and the addition of sweetening matter such as sugar, honey, or artificial sweeteners. This code also includes sweet biscuits that contain cocoa or are coated in chocolate, provided they retain the essential character of a biscuit. The classification is determined by the ingredients and the baking process. The Harmonized System distinguishes sweet biscuits from other bakers' wares based on their sweetness and texture, ensuring they are separated from savory crackers or plain bread products.
- Covers
- Chocolate-coated sweet biscuits
- Sandwich biscuits with cream or jam filling
- Shortbread biscuits
- Digestive biscuits (sweetened varieties)
- Cookies and ginger snaps
- Wafers and waffles that are specifically categorized as sweet biscuits
- Also under 1905.31
- Oreo
- McVitie's Digestives
- Walkers Shortbread
- Chips Ahoy!
- Keebler Fudge Stripes
Codes often confused with 1905.31
Common mistake. Sweet biscuits are frequently confused with HS code 190532, which is specifically for waffles and wafers. While many wafers are sweet, they have a distinct physical structure that often places them in 190532 unless they are specifically marketed and structured as biscuits. Another common misclassification is HS code 190590, which is a catch-all for other bakers' wares like savory crackers or pretzels. Additionally, if a product contains more than 20% by weight of sausage, meat, or meat offal, it would be excluded from Chapter 19 entirely.
Top exporters and importers of HS 190531 (the code used for sweet biscuits), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 190531 (the code used for sweet biscuits) in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 9.7% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 190531, not only sweet biscuits.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Mexico $1.3B 9.7% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $1.3B 9.3% of world exports
- 3 Germany $1.2B 9.0% of world exports
World total: $13.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $2.5B 19% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $833M 6.2% of world imports
- 3 France $812M 6.1% of world imports
World total: $13.4B 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 sweet biscuits
Brazil classifies sweet biscuits under NCM 1905.31.00: HS 1905.31 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about sweet biscuits
What is the HS code for Sweet biscuits?
The HS code for Sweet biscuits is 190531 (Food preparations; sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa). The HS code for sweet biscuits is 190531, which covers all sweetened baked biscuits, including those containing cocoa.
How do I classify Sweet biscuits for customs?
Sweet biscuits is classified under HS code 190531 — Food preparations; sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the presence of chocolate change the HS code?
No, sweet biscuits coated or flavored with chocolate remain under HS code 190531, as long as the product is primarily a biscuit and not a chocolate confectionery item (which would fall under Chapter 18).
Which countries are the top exporters of sweet biscuits (HS 190531)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 190531 (the code used for sweet biscuits) in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($1.3B, 9.7% of world exports), the Netherlands ($1.3B) and Germany ($1.2B). World exports came to about $13.7B, 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 sweet biscuits (HS 190531)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 190531 (the code used for sweet biscuits) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.5B, 19% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($833M) and France ($812M). World imports came to about $13.4B, 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 Sweet biscuits the same in all countries?
The base HS code 190531 for Sweet biscuits 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 sweet biscuits in Brazil?
In Brazil, sweet biscuits (HS 190531) is classified under NCM 1905.31.00.