Product classification
HS code for Sweets: 1704.90
Sugar confectionery, (excluding chewing gum, including white chocolate), not containing cocoa.
Classification of sweets under HS 1704.90
Sugar confectionery products are classified under HS code 1704.90 because they consist primarily of sugar and do not contain cocoa. According to the Explanatory Notes to Chapter 17, this heading covers most sugar preparations which are marketed in a solid or semi-solid form, generally suitable for immediate consumption. The classification is determined by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 1, which dictates that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Since these products are sugar-based and lack cocoa solids, they are excluded from Chapter 18. This code serves as a residual category for various sweets that are not chewing gum. The presence of fats, milk products, or fruit does not alter this classification as long as the essential character of the product remains sugar confectionery. White chocolate is a notable inclusion here because it lacks the non-fat cocoa constituents required for classification as chocolate in Chapter 18. Furthermore, the classification process must consider the Chapter 17 notes which exclude certain preparations containing cocoa. For a product to remain in 1704.90, it must be a sugar-based preparation. This includes items that have been boiled to a high temperature to create a hard texture or those that have been aerated to create a soft, marshmallow-like consistency. The distinction between 1704.90 and other food preparations in Chapter 21 is often based on the sugar content and the intended use as a treat rather than a meal component. Importers must ensure that the sugar content is the primary ingredient by weight and that no cocoa powder or cocoa mass has been added during the manufacturing process, as this would immediately trigger a reclassification into the 1806 series of codes.
- Covers
- Hard-boiled candies and fruit drops
- Toffees, caramels, and nougats
- Fruit jellies and fruit pastes in the form of sugar confectionery
- White chocolate
- Fondants, marzipan, and Turkish delight
- Pastilles and throat lozenges (non-medicinal)
- Also under 1704.90
- Haribo Goldbears
- Chupa Chups
- Werther's Original
- Cadbury White Chocolate
- Jelly Belly
Codes often confused with 1704.90
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 1806.90. If a sweet contains even a trace amount of cocoa solids, it must be classified under Chapter 18. Another common error is using 1704.10, which is strictly reserved for chewing gum, whether or not sugar-coated. Additionally, medicinal lozenges are classified under 3004, not 1704.
Top exporters and importers of HS 170490 (the code used for sweets), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 170490 (the code used for sweets) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% of world imports. Mexico reports $241M of its chapter 17 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 170490, not only sweets.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $2.1B 12% of world exports
- 2 China $1.8B 10% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $1.2B 6.9% of world exports
Mexico reports $241M of its chapter 17 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $17.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $3.2B 18% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $1.2B 6.9% of world imports
- 3 Germany $1.2B 6.8% of world imports
World total: $17.8B 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 codes for sweets
Brazil splits HS 1704.90 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 1704.90.10White chocolate
- 1704.90.20Caramels, comfits, drops and pastilles
- 1704.90.90Other sugar confectionery without cocoa
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about sweets
What is the HS code for Sweets?
The HS code for Sweets is 170490 (Sugar confectionery; (excluding chewing gum, including white chocolate), not containing cocoa). The HS code for sugar confectionery not containing cocoa is 1704.90.
How do I classify Sweets for customs?
Sweets is classified under HS code 170490 — Sugar confectionery; (excluding chewing gum, including white chocolate), not containing cocoa. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is white chocolate classified as chocolate?
No, in the Harmonized System, white chocolate is classified under 1704.90 because it does not contain cocoa solids, only cocoa butter.
Which countries are the top exporters of sweets (HS 170490)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 170490 (the code used for sweets) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($2.1B, 12% of world exports), China ($1.8B) and Belgium ($1.2B). World exports came to about $17.8B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Mexico reports $241M of its chapter 17 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of sweets (HS 170490)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 170490 (the code used for sweets) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($3.2B, 18% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($1.2B) and Germany ($1.2B). World imports came to about $17.8B, 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 Sweets the same in all countries?
The base HS code 170490 for Sweets 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 sweets in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 170490 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for sweets depends on the product's details: 1704.90.10 (White chocolate), 1704.90.20 (Caramels, comfits, drops and pastilles), 1704.90.90 (Other sugar confectionery without cocoa).