HS Code:
The product category under HS Code subheadings 1806.32.80 and 1806.90.10 pertains to chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa. Specifically, 1806.32.80 covers chocolate in blocks, slabs, or bars, not filled, weighing over 2 kg, while 1806.90.10 includes other chocolate and cocoa preparations in containers or immediate packings of a content not exceeding 2 kg. These categories encompass a wide range of confectionery products widely consumed globally, including chocolate bars, cocoa-based spreads, and other cocoa-containing snacks. This category is significant in the global food and beverage sector due to its cultural importance, widespread consumption, and role in both premium and mass-market segments.
Total Trade Volume
USD 12.5 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
6.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
25% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Switzerland or USMCA)
Rising demand for premium and organic chocolate
Increased exports of high-value chocolate products from countries like Switzerland and Belgium, with a shift towards sustainable sourcing of cocoa beans.
2021-2022
Growth in plant-based and low-sugar chocolate alternatives
Manufacturers are adapting to consumer health trends, leading to innovation in product formulations and new market entrants.
2022
Supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions and climate change
Fluctuations in cocoa supply from key producing regions like West Africa have led to price volatility and trade pattern shifts.
2020-2022
The European Union introduced regulations requiring proof that imported cocoa is not linked to deforestation, affecting exporters from West Africa and Latin America.
June 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters and potential trade diversion to markets with less stringent requirements.
As part of ongoing trade disputes, the US imposed additional tariffs on certain EU chocolate products, impacting major exporters like Belgium and Germany.
October 2022
Reduced competitiveness of EU chocolate in the US market, with potential growth in domestic US production.
Major chocolate manufacturers and exporters are increasingly adopting Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certifications to appeal to ethical consumer bases.
March 2023
Enhanced market access in premium segments, particularly in Europe and North America, but higher production costs for smaller producers.