Products described as infant formula are usually classified under heading 1901 of the Harmonized System. Pick the 6-digit subheading that matches your product, then add the importing country's national digits.
Heading 1901Malt 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.
Usual subheading
Food preparations; of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, suitable for infants or young children, put up for retail saleAdd to invoice →
Other subheadings of heading 1901
Food preparations; mixes and doughs for the preparation of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers' wares
Food preparations; of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses n.e.c. in heading no. 1901
Click a code to copy it.
How to confirm the code
Read the heading and subheading texts above and pick the one that describes what your product is made of and what it does.
Check the section and chapter notes of chapter 19, which can include or exclude products.
Add the national digits from the importing country's tariff (8 to 10 digits) and confirm with a customs broker, or ask customs for a binding ruling if the duty matters.
Keep a record of the product facts and your reasoning, for example in a free HS classification worksheet: HS classification worksheet →
Source: HS 2022 nomenclature, 6-digit level (UN Comtrade). Descriptions are in English, as in the official nomenclature. Digits after the 6th differ by country.
Products described as infant formula are usually classified under HS heading 1901, subheading 1901.10. Confirm the full national code in the importing country's tariff.
Is the HS code the same in every country?
The first 6 digits are the same in every country that uses HS 2022, and national codes are built on them: the EU's CN, the US HTS, India's ITC-HS and HSN codes and Brazil's NCM all start with these digits. Each country adds its own digits (usually to 8 or 10) and sets the duty rate, so check the destination country's tariff.
What if my product is different?
Materials, function and how the product is put up can change the heading. Search your own description in the HS code lookup, read the chapter notes, and ask a customs broker or the customs authority for a ruling when in doubt.