Pet food - dog & cat food Hs Code

Pet food - dog & cat food harmonized system code

Product Overview Pet Food classified under HS Code 230910 encompasses prepared dog and cat food products formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of domestic dogs and cats. These products include dry kibble, canned wet food, semi-moist formulations, and specialized dietary blends, typically processed through extrusion, canning, or baking methods to ensure shelf stability and palatability. Physically, pet food under this classification exhibits controlled moisture levels—ranging from approximately 6-12% in dry products to 75-85% in canned varieties—and is manufactured to comply with stringent quality parameters such as nutrient content uniformity, contaminant limits, and ingredient traceability. The HS Code 230910 is subdivided into specific subcategories distinguishing between dog food and cat food forms, including medicated and non-medicated variants. Commercially, these products serve primary roles across retail pet supply chains, veterinary nutrition programs, and institutional food service providers, offering consistent nutritional delivery and convenience. The value proposition lies in their compliance with international nutritional standards and ease of integration into existing supply chains, positioning them competitively within the global pet food market. HS Code Classification & Trade Specifications The complete HS Code 230910 falls within Chapter 23 (Residues and Waste from Food Industries; Prepared Animal Fodder), specifically under Heading 2309, which covers preparations of a kind used in animal feeding. The 6-digit code "230910" precisely identifies prepared dog or cat food, reflecting classification criteria based on product composition, intended use, and manufacturing process. This designation is consistent with the Harmonized System’s hierarchical structure: Chapter 23 → Heading 2309 → Subheading 230910. Trade considerations for HS 230910 products include packaging in moisture-resistant materials such as laminated plastic bags for dry food and hermetically sealed metal cans or retort pouches for wet food, ensuring preservation and extended shelf life. Shipping protocols often require temperature control or ambient conditions depending on product moisture and preservative content. Quality standards adhere to Codex Alimentarius guidelines for pet food, ISO certifications for manufacturing practices, and compliance with WTO agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Documentation must reflect these classifications and specifications to facilitate accurate customs clearance and trade compliance globally.

Pet food - dog & cat food Chapter Note

1.- Heading 23.09 includes products of a kind used in animal feeding, not elsewhere specified or included, obtained by processing vegetable or animal materials to such an extent that they have lost the essential characteristics of the original material, other than vegetable waste, vegetable residues and by-products of such processing.