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; caramel (heading 1702): importing markets
HS heading 1702 groups sugars other than cane and beet sugar, such as lactose, maltose, glucose and fructose, plus sugar syrups, artificial honey and…
Published on 14 November 2026Updated on 14 November 2026
HS heading 1702 groups sugars other than cane and beet sugar, such as lactose, maltose, glucose and fructose, plus sugar syrups, artificial honey and caramel. In 2024, China, the United States and Mexico were the three largest importers according to UN Comtrade. For a company exporting from Spain, the right subheading decides tariff and rules.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2024Verified on 14 November 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 1702
- Chapter
- 17 · Sugars and sugar confectionery
- Subheadings
- 9
Main importing markets
USD · 2024| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| China | 1,432,703,460 |
| United States | 1,076,208,899 |
| Mexico | 963,771,417 |
| Germany | 883,047,039 |
| Netherlands | 526,088,183 |
| France | 488,549,801 |
| United Kingdom | 336,781,115 |
| Belgium | 326,580,180 |
| Indonesia | 316,579,639 |
| Canada | 279,139,494 |
| Italy | 233,662,996 |
| Philippines | 227,557,049 |
| Spain | 221,820,182 |
| South Korea | 219,101,359 |
| Ireland | 209,951,780 |
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 2024Verified on 14 November 2026
What to know before exporting heading 1702
Heading 1702 is part of Chapter 17, sugars and sugar confectionery. It has nine subheadings. Cane and beet sugar sit in a different heading, 1701, so the first check is that your product really belongs in 1702.
The nine subheadings separate products such as lactose, maple sugar and syrup, glucose, fructose and caramel. The tariff, the documents and the import conditions are set at that level, not at the level of the four-digit heading. Classify to the full subheading before you quote a price.
Demand in the table is concentrated in a few large buyers. China, the United States, Mexico and Germany lead the list of importers, and the table also shows several European markets such as the Netherlands, France and Belgium. The figures are imports declared by each country from the world, so they measure the size of the market, not the share open to a Spanish supplier.
For a company exporting from Spain, the duty depends on the subheading, the destination and the agreement in force between the EU and that country. It is checked for each market in Access2Markets, which also lists the rules of origin and the product requirements. For shipments to EU member states there is no customs duty, but intra-EU trade is reported through Intrastat.
Sugar products are often subject to quotas, sanitary rules or labelling requirements that vary by country. Do not assume that the conditions of one market apply to another. Check them in Access2Markets for each destination before you contact buyers.
Use the Spanish customs tariff and the binding tariff information service of the AEAT if the classification of a blend or a processed product is unclear. A wrong code changes the duty and can delay clearance.
Frequently asked questions
What products fall under HS 1702?
Heading 1702 covers sugars in solid form other than cane and beet sugar, including lactose, maltose, glucose and fructose. It also covers sugar syrups without added flavouring or colouring, artificial honey and caramel. It has nine subheadings.
Where is cane or beet sugar classified?
Cane and beet sugar are classified in heading 1701, not in 1702. If your product is sucrose in solid form, check 1701 before you choose a code.
Which countries imported the most under HS 1702 in 2024?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2024, the largest importers were China, the United States and Mexico, followed by Germany and the Netherlands. The figures are what each country declared as imports from the world, and some countries report with a delay.
How do I find the import duty for 1702 from Spain?
The duty depends on the eight- or ten-digit subheading, the destination country and the trade agreement in force between the EU and that country. Look it up for each market in Access2Markets by entering the product code and the destination.
Does a large importer mean an easy market for a Spanish exporter?
No. The import figure shows the size of the market, not how open it is. Local production, quotas, sanitary rules and the duty applied to EU goods can all limit access, so check each of them for the market you are considering.
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