Product classification

HS code for Tomato sauce: 2103.20

Sauces, tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces.

Classification of tomato sauce under HS 2103.20

Tomato sauce, including ketchup and other similar preparations, is classified under HS code 2103.20. Chapter 21 covers miscellaneous edible preparations, and heading 2103 is specifically for sauces and preparations therefor, mixed condiments, and mixed seasonings. The classification 2103.20 is dedicated to tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces. The primary factor in this classification is the addition of flavoring agents. Unlike tomato puree or paste (which are essentially just concentrated tomatoes), tomato sauces contain added ingredients such as salt, sugar, vinegar, spices, and herbs to create a finished culinary product. This includes a wide range of products from simple pasta sauces to complex barbecue sauces where tomato is the primary base. The Harmonized System treats these as \"composite\" food preparations because they are no longer just a single vegetable but a mixture of various ingredients designed to enhance the flavor of other foods.

Covers
  • Tomato ketchup
  • Prepared pasta sauces (e.g., Marinara)
  • Pizza sauce with added herbs and spices
  • Tomato-based barbecue sauces
  • Seasoned tomato coulis
Also under 2103.20
  • Heinz Ketchup
  • Prego Pasta Sauce
  • Ragu Pasta Sauce
  • Hunt's Tomato Sauce
  • Mutti Passata

Codes often confused with 2103.20

Common mistake. A common misclassification is placing tomato sauce under 2002.90, which is for tomato puree or paste. The difference is that 2002.90 covers tomatoes that are simply prepared or preserved (like puree), while 2103.20 covers sauces that are seasoned and ready for use as a condiment. If the product contains more than just tomatoes and salt—specifically if it contains vinegar, sugar, and spices—it should be classified under 2103.20. Confusing these can lead to incorrect duty payments as sauces often have different tariff rates than vegetable preparations.

2002.90Vegetable preparations; tomatoes, (other than whole or in pieces), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid

Top exporters and importers of HS 210320 (the code used for tomato sauce), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 210320 (the code used for tomato sauce) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 210320, not only tomato sauce.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Italy $520M
  2. 2 United States $390M
  3. 3 Netherlands $385M

World total: $2.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $481M
  2. 2 United Kingdom $302M
  3. 3 Germany $288M

World total: $3.4B 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 codes for tomato sauce

Brazil splits HS 2103.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 2103.20.10Ketchup and tomato sauces, packs of 1 kg or less
  • 2103.20.90Ketchup and tomato sauces, packs over 1 kg

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

Questions about tomato sauce

What is the HS code for Tomato sauce?

The HS code for Tomato sauce is 210320 (Sauces; tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces). The HS code for tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces is 2103.20.

How do I classify Tomato sauce for customs?

Tomato sauce is classified under HS code 210320 — Sauces; tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include spicy tomato salsas?

Yes, if the salsa is a prepared tomato-based sauce used as a condiment, it is typically classified under 2103.20.

Which countries are the top exporters of tomato sauce (HS 210320)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 210320 (the code used for tomato sauce) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($520M, 18% of world exports), the United States ($390M) and the Netherlands ($385M). World exports came to about $2.9B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of tomato sauce (HS 210320)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 210320 (the code used for tomato sauce) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($481M, 14% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($302M) and Germany ($288M). World imports came to about $3.4B, 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 Tomato sauce the same in all countries?

The base HS code 210320 for Tomato sauce 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 tomato sauce in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 210320 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for tomato sauce depends on the product's details: 2103.20.10 (Ketchup and tomato sauces, packs of 1 kg or less), 2103.20.90 (Ketchup and tomato sauces, packs over 1 kg).