Product classification

HS code for Sweetened cocoa powder: 1806.10

Cocoa, powder, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter.

Classification of sweetened cocoa powder under HS 1806.10

Sweetened cocoa powder is classified under HS code 180610. This classification is part of Chapter 18, which covers cocoa and cocoa preparations. Heading 1806 is specifically designated for chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa. The subheading 180610 is reserved for cocoa powder that contains added sugar or other sweetening matter. This is a critical distinction in the Harmonized System; pure cocoa powder without any added sweeteners is classified under heading 1805. Once any amount of sugar, honey, or artificial sweetener is added, the product is considered a "preparation" and moves to 1806. This code encompasses a wide range of products used for both domestic consumption (like hot cocoa mixes) and industrial food production. The classification is determined by the presence of cocoa as the characterizing ingredient in a powdered form, combined with the addition of sweetening agents.

Covers
  • Hot chocolate powder mixes with added sugar
  • Sweetened cocoa powder for home baking
  • Instant cocoa drink preparations
  • Cocoa powder mixed with sugar and small amounts of flavoring (like vanilla)
  • Sweetened cocoa powder used in the manufacture of confectionery
Also under 1806.10
  • Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix
  • Nesquik
  • Cadbury Drinking Chocolate
  • Ovaltine
  • Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa (sweetened variants)

Codes often confused with 1806.10

Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is HS code 180500, which is only for pure cocoa powder containing no added sugar or sweetening matter. Another common error involves HS code 1901, which covers food preparations of flour, groats, meal, starch, or malt extract. If a cocoa-based powder contains a high percentage of milk powder or malt, it might be classified under 1901. However, if the product is essentially sweetened cocoa powder intended to be mixed with water or milk, 180610 is the correct and more specific classification.

1805.00Cocoa; powder, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter19.01Malt extract; flour/groats/meal/starch/malt extract products, no cocoa (or less than 40% by weight) and food preparations of goods of headings 04.01 to 04.04, no cocoa (or less than 5% by weight), weights calculated on a totally defatted basis, n.e.c.

Top exporters and importers of HS 180610 (the code used for sweetened cocoa powder), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 180610 (the code used for sweetened cocoa powder) in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 9.3% 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 180610, not only sweetened cocoa powder.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 South Korea $47M
  2. 2 Malaysia $38M
  3. 3 United States $33M

World total: $398M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Nigeria $40M
  2. 2 Japan $37M
  3. 3 France $31M

World total: $426M 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 sweetened cocoa powder

Brazil classifies sweetened cocoa powder under NCM 1806.10.00: HS 1806.10 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

EU Regulatory Requirements

This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.

Questions about sweetened cocoa powder

What is the HS code for Sweetened cocoa powder?

The HS code for Sweetened cocoa powder is 180610 (Cocoa; powder, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter). The HS code for sweetened cocoa powder is 180610, which includes cocoa powder with added sugar or other sweetening matter.

How do I classify Sweetened cocoa powder for customs?

Sweetened cocoa powder is classified under HS code 180610 — Cocoa; powder, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What if the cocoa powder contains milk powder?

If the preparation contains cocoa and added sugar along with milk powder, it may still fall under 1806, but if the milk content is predominant or if it is a complex food preparation, it might be classified under 190190 or 180690 depending on the specific composition.

Which countries are the top exporters of sweetened cocoa powder (HS 180610)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 180610 (the code used for sweetened cocoa powder) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($47M, 12% of world exports), Malaysia ($38M) and the United States ($33M). World exports came to about $398M, 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 sweetened cocoa powder (HS 180610)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 180610 (the code used for sweetened cocoa powder) in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($40M, 9.3% of world imports), Japan ($37M) and France ($31M). World imports came to about $426M, 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 Sweetened cocoa powder the same in all countries?

The base HS code 180610 for Sweetened cocoa powder 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 sweetened cocoa powder in Brazil?

In Brazil, sweetened cocoa powder (HS 180610) is classified under NCM 1806.10.00.