1703.90 Sugars; molasses, from sugar beet, resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar
A full HS code. These six digits are what goes on a customs declaration, and they mean the same thing in every country that uses the Harmonized System.
Section IV, Foodstuffs, Beverages & Tobacco — prepared food and drink — sugar, cocoa, beverages, spirits, vinegar and tobacco.
- 17 Chapter Sugars and sugar confectionery
- 03 Heading Molasses; resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar
- 90 Subheading Sugars; molasses, from sugar beet, resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar
Chapter 17 covers sugars and sugar confectionery: raw and refined cane or beet sugar, syrups, molasses, and finished confectionery like hard candy and toffee (but not chocolate confectionery, which falls under chapter 18). Classification tip: Raw cane sugar is frequently subject to tariff-rate quotas and anti-dumping measures in major import markets, so check both the quota status and any trade-remedy orders before relying on the base duty rate.
All of chapter 17Other codes under 17.03
The wording above is the Harmonized System nomenclature as published by the World Customs Organization, HS 2022 edition. It is a classification reference, not a tariff: it carries no duty rates, and it stops at six digits — the importing country adds its own beyond that.
Classification is decided by the General Rules of Interpretation and the section and chapter notes, and it is the importing country’s customs authority that makes it binding.
Shipping goods under 1703.90? A customs hold shows up as a milestone that stops moving — follow the container or the air waybill from departure to delivery.
Track a shipment1703.90 FAQ
1703.90 covers sugars; molasses, from sugar beet, resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar. It sits under heading 17.03 (molasses; resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar) in chapter 17, Section IV of the Harmonized System.
It is the international part of it. Six digits are the same in every country that applies the Harmonized System; the importing country then extends them to eight or ten for its own tariff and statistics. Declare 1703.90 plus whatever national digits the destination’s tariff schedule adds to it.
The General Rules of Interpretation, read together with the notes to Section IV and to chapter 17. A description that reads right is not enough on its own — the notes routinely pull goods out of the chapter they obviously belong to and put them somewhere else. Where duty or licensing turns on the answer, ask the importing country’s customs authority for a binding ruling.
A wrong or missing code is one of the common reasons customs holds a container, and a hold shows up as a milestone that stops moving. Watch for it in the container tracking app, on the air waybill in the air cargo tracker, or through the tracking API.