Sugars and sugar confectionery (chapter 17): which countries import it
Chapter 17 covers cane and beet sugars, syrups, molasses and sugar confectionery. The US, China and Germany are the largest importers, absorbing over USD…
Published on 15 September 2026Updated on 27 September 2026
Chapter 17 covers cane and beet sugars, syrups, molasses and sugar confectionery. The US, China and Germany are the largest importers, absorbing over USD 13 billion annually. Spanish exporters compete in a regulated sector with tariff barriers in most markets and specific rules on additives and labelling.
Fact sheet
- Code
- 17
- Sector
- Food and Drink
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | 6,478,459,540 |
| China | 4,181,664,145 |
| Germany | 2,658,581,711 |
| Indonesia | 2,365,531,191 |
| United Kingdom | 2,205,121,538 |
| Italy | 1,755,918,756 |
| Canada | 1,734,845,884 |
| Netherlands | 1,726,471,470 |
| France | 1,597,756,846 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1,480,977,494 |
| India | 1,409,414,158 |
| South Korea | 1,394,405,266 |
| Morocco | 1,373,143,001 |
| Mexico | 1,333,012,688 |
| Spain | 1,315,246,680 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 27 September 2026
Headings in this chapter
- Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid formHeading 1701
- Sugars, including lactose, maltose, glucose or fructose in solid form; sugar syrups without added flavouring or colouring matter; artificial honey, whether or not mixed with natural honey; caramelHeading 1702
- Molasses; resulting from the extraction or refining of sugarHeading 1703
- Sugar confectionery (including white chocolate), not containing cocoaHeading 1704
Trade fairs in this sector
- Alimentaria Barcelona
- Anuga
- BIOFACH – World’s Leading Trade Fair for Organic Food
- Fruit Attraction
- Gulfood
- ProWein Düsseldorf
- Salón Gourmets
- SIAL – Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL Paris)
- Summer Fancy Food Show
- Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris
What you need to know to export sugars and confectionery
Chapter 17 is divided into four headings: refined sugars (1701), syrups and other sugars (1702), molasses (1703) and sugar confectionery excluding chocolate (1704). Each has different tariff rates and market access rules depending on your destination.
The EU market (Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands) is open to Spanish suppliers without tariffs, but requires full compliance with EU food safety regulations: HACCP certification, allergen labelling in the language of the destination country, and adherence to maximum residue limits for pesticides. These are mandatory, not optional.
Labelling is country-specific. Ingredient lists, allergen warnings and nutritional information must be in the official language of the destination. For the UK, labelling rules now diverge from the EU standard; check the UK legislation separately. Morocco and Mexico, both in your top 15 importers, have their own certification bodies for imported sugars.
Questions about exporting Chapter 17
What tariff do I pay exporting refined sugar to the US?
Tariffs on sugar from Spain to the US depend on the specific product (heading 1701, 1702, 1703 or 1704) and current trade agreements. The rate is not fixed: it is negotiated periodically. Check Access2Markets or contact your chamber of commerce for the current rate before you quote, as it affects your margin significantly.
Can I sell the same product in the EU and the UK with the same label?
No. The UK has left the EU and labelling rules have diverged. Ingredient lists, allergen warnings and some nutritional information follow different standards. You must produce separate labels or ensure both sets of information are present on the packaging. Your UK distributor should specify which format they need.
Is there a maximum sugar content limit for confectionery exports?
Most countries set no legal maximum, but some destinations impose taxes or restrictions on products above certain sugar thresholds for health reasons. Germany and France, both in your top markets, do not ban high-sugar confectionery but may require specific labelling or comply with their own public health guidelines. Check with your importer.
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