HS Code for Chocolate: Classification, Examples & Tips for Smooth Import/Export

An HS code, or Harmonized System code, is an international customs code used to classify traded products. Maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO), the HS system ensures that every type of good - chocolate included - has a unique code used by customs in over 200 countries.
The HS code determines:

• The applicable tariffs or duties
• Required documentation or certificates
• Regulatory compliance (e.g., labeling, food safety)

Correctly assigning an HS code helps prevent shipment delays and customs disputes during international trade.

Chocolate and food preparations containing cocoa generally fall under heading 1806 in Chapter 18. White chocolate belongs to heading 1704 in Chapter 17. National tariff schedules add further digits to the international six-digit HS subheadings.

The main six-digit subheadings within 1806 are:

• 1806.10 — Cocoa powder with added sugar or another sweetener.
• 1806.20 — Cocoa preparations in blocks, slabs or bars weighing more than 2 kg; or in liquid, paste, powder, granular or another bulk form in containers or immediate packings holding more than 2 kg.
• 1806.31 — Filled chocolate blocks, slabs or bars weighing 2 kg or less.
• 1806.32 — Unfilled chocolate blocks, slabs or bars weighing 2 kg or less.
• 1806.90 — Other products within heading 1806.

Use the destination country’s tariff schedule to identify the complete national code.

The process follows a logical sequence:

1. Identify the Product: Pure chocolate, filled bars, chocolate-covered biscuits, spreads, or drink mixes? Each can have a separate code.
2. Determine Product Form: Block, slab, bar, liquid, powder, or confectionery?
3. Check Ingredients: Fillings, sugar content, and cocoa percentage can affect classification.
4. Consult Official Tariff Databases.

• US: Harmonized Tariff Schedule Search
• UK: UK Integrated Tariff
• Australia: ABF Tariff Classifications

Incorrect codes may result in extra tariffs or rejected shipments, so careful handling is advised.

Using the right HS code for chocolate is not just bureaucratic routine; it directly impacts:

• Duty Rates: Each code attracts specific import duties or taxes. For more on how rates affect landed costs, see Import Duty Rates in Australia: What Importers Need to Know in 2025.
• Food Safety Regulation: Many countries require additional checks or certifications for food products. The right code signals the need for such reviews.
• Labeling & Traceability: Certain chocolate products (especially those with allergens or high sugar content) have stricter labeling obligations.
• Trade Statistics & Tariff Agreements: Accurate codes support free trade agreement benefits or quotas, offering potential cost savings.

A chocolate bar with a separate fruit or caramel centre, weighing 2 kg or less, falls within the filled-bar subheading 1806.31. The corresponding unfilled-bar subheading is 1806.32. Complete the classification using the destination country’s national tariff extensions and the actual product specifications.

Review full product specs: Record cocoa content, weight of each bar, type of filling, sugar percentage, and packaging format.

Stay updated on code changes: The WCO updates HS codes roughly every five years, so verify your codes periodically.

Double-check codes for mixed goods: Chocolate gift boxes and variety packs may need “other” codes depending on their contents.

Coordinate with experienced customs brokers: Professionals are familiar with local variations, seasonal tariff quotas, and required food certificates.

Further resources can be found at the European Commission’s TARIC database.

Do flavoured chocolate bars use a different HS code?
Flavour alone does not identify the subheading. Check the product’s form, weight and whether it has a separate filling.
Is white chocolate classified under the same heading?
No. White chocolate is included under heading 1704, with the six-digit subheading 1704.90. Cocoa butter content alone does not put white chocolate under heading 1806.
Are chocolate-covered biscuits and wafers in the same category?
Chocolate-covered biscuits and wafers belong to heading 1905. That heading includes these products whether or not they contain cocoa.

Correct HS code classification for chocolate streamlines customs clearance, ensures accurate duties, and helps maintain regulatory compliance. Whether shipping gourmet bars, powdered mixes, or confectionery, getting the code right keeps international deliveries on schedule and cost-effective.

Businesses exporting or importing chocolate, snacks, or packaged foods benefit from partnering with suppliers who provide the correct documentation from the start. MR.VIET offers export-ready Vietnamese chocolate, coffee, and snacks, and assists partners with precise HS codes, paperwork, and logistics - helping shipments glide smoothly through customs.