Chapter 23 covers residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder. This chapter includes oil-cake and other solid residues from the extraction of vegetable fats or oils from grains, legumes, etc., residues from brewing or distilling, animal feed additives, etc., but excludes unmixed single feed materials (such as grains and oilseeds), which fall under Chapters 10-12. 2309 is the subheading in this chapter specifically for prepared animal feed put up for retail sale. Heading 2309 covers prepared animal feed, including dog food, cat food and other pet food, as well as compound feed for farm animals. The key characteristic is "prepared," i.e., processed and mixed, containing multiple ingredients, and usually put up for retail sale. This heading is divided into several subheadings, with 230910 specifically referring to products put up for retail sale as dog or cat food. The first 2 digits "23" represent Chapter 23: Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder. The 3rd-4th digits "09" represent heading 2309: Prepared animal fodder. The 5th-6th digits "10" represent subheading 230910: Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale. Therefore, the full meaning of 230910 is: Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale. Note: Only products directly facing consumers and labeled as pet food on the packaging are classified under this subheading; bulk or further processed products must be classified under other subheadings. The product is pet food and is usually imported in retail packaging, which conforms to the description of 230910 "dog or cat food, put up for retail sale." If it is bulk or not put up for retail sale, it may be classified under 230990 (other prepared animal fodder). If the product is a single ingredient (such as freeze-dried chicken), it may be classified under Chapter 2 or Chapter 16. Therefore, retail packaging and pet use are the keys to classification under 230910.
Chapter
Chapter 23 covers residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder. This chapter includes oil-cake and other solid residues from the extraction of vegetable fats or oils from grains, legumes, etc., residues from brewing or distilling, animal feed additives, etc., but excludes unmixed single feed materials (such as grains and oilseeds), which fall under Chapters 10-12. 2309 is the subheading in this chapter specifically for prepared animal feed put up for retail sale.
Heading
Heading 2309 covers prepared animal feed, including dog food, cat food and other pet food, as well as compound feed for farm animals. The key characteristic is "prepared," i.e., processed and mixed, containing multiple ingredients, and usually put up for retail sale. This heading is divided into several subheadings, with 230910 specifically referring to products put up for retail sale as dog or cat food.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits "23" represent Chapter 23: Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder. The 3rd-4th digits "09" represent heading 2309: Prepared animal fodder. The 5th-6th digits "10" represent subheading 230910: Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale. Therefore, the full meaning of 230910 is: Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale. Note: Only products directly facing consumers and labeled as pet food on the packaging are classified under this subheading; bulk or further processed products must be classified under other subheadings.
Classification Basis
The product is pet food and is usually imported in retail packaging, which conforms to the description of 230910 "dog or cat food, put up for retail sale." If it is bulk or not put up for retail sale, it may be classified under 230990 (other prepared animal fodder). If the product is a single ingredient (such as freeze-dried chicken), it may be classified under Chapter 2 or Chapter 16. Therefore, retail packaging and pet use are the keys to classification under 230910.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "complete puppy food" or "adult cat wet food canned," which must be consistent with the packaging label. Brand: Fill in the product brand, such as "Royal Canin" or "Orijen"; if there is no brand, fill in "none." Packaging specification: Indicate the retail packaging form, such as "2kg/bag" or "85g/can," which must reflect the retail nature. Ingredient content: List the main ingredients and percentages, such as "chicken 30%, grains 20%," which must be consistent with the label. Use: Clearly state that it is pet food, such as "dog food" or "cat food"; do not write "animal feed." Processing method: Briefly describe the processing technology, such as "extrusion," "canning," or "baking." Whether put up for retail sale: Confirm whether it is directly sold at retail; fill in "yes" or "no." Product name: Complete adult cat food; Brand: Royal Canin; Packaging specification: 2kg/bag; Ingredient content: chicken 30%, grains 25%, fish meal 10%, vitamin additives 5%; Use: cat food; Processing method: extrusion; Whether put up for retail sale: yes. Declaring "pet food" generally as "animal feed" may lead to classification under 230990. Filling in packaging specifications such as "25kg/bag" as non-retail packaging does not meet the requirements of 230910. Failure to truthfully declare ingredient content, such as concealing animal-derived ingredients, may trigger quarantine issues.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "complete puppy food" or "adult cat wet food canned," which must be consistent with the packaging label.
⚠️ Writing only "pet food" is too general; it should specify the type and the applicable pet.
Brand
Fill in the product brand, such as "Royal Canin" or "Orijen"; if there is no brand, fill in "none."
⚠️ Mistaking the manufacturer for the brand, or misspelling the brand.
Packaging specification
Indicate the retail packaging form, such as "2kg/bag" or "85g/can," which must reflect the retail nature.
⚠️ Filling in "bulk" or "25kg/bag" may result in classification under other subheadings.
Ingredient content
List the main ingredients and percentages, such as "chicken 30%, grains 20%," which must be consistent with the label.
⚠️ Ingredient proportions are untrue or key ingredients such as additives are omitted.
Use
Clearly state that it is pet food, such as "dog food" or "cat food"; do not write "animal feed."
⚠️ Writing "animal feed" in general terms may lead to classification under 230990.
Processing method
Briefly describe the processing technology, such as "extrusion," "canning," or "baking."
⚠️ Failure to indicate the processing method affects the classification determination.
Whether put up for retail sale
Confirm whether it is directly sold at retail; fill in "yes" or "no."
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in large packaging as retail packaging, resulting in incorrect classification.
Example： Product name: Complete adult cat food; Brand: Royal Canin; Packaging specification: 2kg/bag; Ingredient content: chicken 30%, grains 25%, fish meal 10%, vitamin additives 5%; Use: cat food; Processing method: extrusion; Whether put up for retail sale: yes.
Common Mistakes：
Declaring "pet food" generally as "animal feed" may lead to classification under 230990.
Filling in packaging specifications such as "25kg/bag" as non-retail packaging does not meet the requirements of 230910.
Failure to truthfully declare ingredient content, such as concealing animal-derived ingredients, may trigger quarantine issues.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) whether the product is prepared pet food; 2) whether it is put up for retail sale; 3) whether it is specially used for dogs or cats. If all three points are met, it is classified under 230910. If it is bulk or not put up for retail sale, it is classified under 230990. If it is a single ingredient (such as freeze-dried meat chunks), it is classified under Chapter 2 or Chapter 16 according to the meat. 230990 Other prepared animal fodder: 230990 covers dog and cat food not put up for retail sale, or prepared feed for other animals (such as fish and birds). The key difference lies in packaging and the applicable animal. 210690 Other food preparations: 210690 includes food for human consumption; if pet food is mistaken for human food, it may be incorrectly classified under this code. 051199 Other animal products: 051199 includes unprepared animal raw materials, such as pet chewing bones; if not prepared, they are classified under this code. 121490 Other vegetable fodder: 121490 covers vegetable feed materials, such as alfalfa meal; if the pet food is a single vegetable ingredient, it may be classified under this code. 160250 Meat preparations: 160250 includes meat preparations for human consumption; if pet food is canned meat chunks and is not marked for pet use, it may be mistakenly classified under this code. Is the product specially used for dogs or cats? Is the packaging retail packaging? Have the ingredients been prepared and mixed? Does it contain animal-derived ingredients requiring quarantine? Is it distinguished from other animal feed?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) whether the product is prepared pet food; 2) whether it is put up for retail sale; 3) whether it is specially used for dogs or cats. If all three points are met, it is classified under 230910. If it is bulk or not put up for retail sale, it is classified under 230990. If it is a single ingredient (such as freeze-dried meat chunks), it is classified under Chapter 2 or Chapter 16 according to the meat.
Confused Codes：
230990 - Other prepared animal fodder
230990 covers dog and cat food not put up for retail sale, or prepared feed for other animals (such as fish and birds). The key difference lies in packaging and the applicable animal.
210690 - Other food preparations
210690 includes food for human consumption; if pet food is mistaken for human food, it may be incorrectly classified under this code.
051199 - Other animal products
051199 includes unprepared animal raw materials, such as pet chewing bones; if not prepared, they are classified under this code.
121490 - Other vegetable fodder
121490 covers vegetable feed materials, such as alfalfa meal; if the pet food is a single vegetable ingredient, it may be classified under this code.
160250 - Meat preparations
160250 includes meat preparations for human consumption; if pet food is canned meat chunks and is not marked for pet use, it may be mistakenly classified under this code.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the product specially used for dogs or cats?
✓ Is the packaging retail packaging?
✓ Have the ingredients been prepared and mixed?
✓ Does it contain animal-derived ingredients requiring quarantine?
✓ Is it distinguished from other animal feed?
❓ FAQ
How can one determine whether pet food belongs under 230910? The key is three points: 1) specially used for dogs or cats; 2) retail packaging; 3) prepared. If these are met, it is classified under 230910. If bulk or not retail, it is classified under 230990. Under which code should pet snacks such as jerky be classified? If they are put up for retail sale and specially used for pets, they are still classified under 230910. However, if they are a single meat jerky and have not been prepared, they may be classified under Chapter 2 or Chapter 16. It is recommended to determine based on processing method and ingredients. What declaration elements are required for imported pet food? It is necessary to declare the product name, brand, packaging specification, ingredient content, use, processing method, whether put up for retail sale, etc. For detailed requirements, refer to announcements of the General Administration of Customs. What is the main difference between 230910 and 230990? 230910 specifically refers to dog or cat food put up for retail sale, while 230990 covers other prepared animal fodder, such as bulk pet food and farm animal feed. Packaging and use are the key distinctions. Does imported pet food require quarantine approval? Yes. According to the Law on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine, pet food containing animal-derived ingredients requires quarantine approval and must comply with the quarantine requirements of the exporting country and China. How is pet food imported through cross-border e-commerce retail classified? It is also classified under 230910, but attention should be paid to the list of cross-border e-commerce retail imported goods to confirm whether import is permitted. Relevant quarantine certificates must also be provided. How is pet food classified if it contains medicinal ingredients? If it contains medicinal ingredients and is used for treatment, it may be classified under Chapter 30 pharmaceuticals. If it is only a nutritional supplement, it is still classified under 230910. It should be determined based on ingredients and use. How can one check the import tariff rate for 230910? One may consult the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China issued by the General Administration of Customs or check through the "Internet + Customs" platform. Tariff rates may vary due to trade agreements, place of origin, etc., and the latest tariff should prevail.
Q: How can one determine whether pet food belongs under 230910?
A: The key is three points: 1) specially used for dogs or cats; 2) retail packaging; 3) prepared. If these are met, it is classified under 230910. If bulk or not retail, it is classified under 230990.
Q: Under which code should pet snacks such as jerky be classified?
A: If they are put up for retail sale and specially used for pets, they are still classified under 230910. However, if they are a single meat jerky and have not been prepared, they may be classified under Chapter 2 or Chapter 16. It is recommended to determine based on processing method and ingredients.
Q: What declaration elements are required for imported pet food?
A: It is necessary to declare the product name, brand, packaging specification, ingredient content, use, processing method, whether put up for retail sale, etc. For detailed requirements, refer to announcements of the General Administration of Customs.
Q: What is the main difference between 230910 and 230990?
A: 230910 specifically refers to dog or cat food put up for retail sale, while 230990 covers other prepared animal fodder, such as bulk pet food and farm animal feed. Packaging and use are the key distinctions.
Q: Does imported pet food require quarantine approval?
A: Yes. According to the Law on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine, pet food containing animal-derived ingredients requires quarantine approval and must comply with the quarantine requirements of the exporting country and China.
Q: How is pet food imported through cross-border e-commerce retail classified?
A: It is also classified under 230910, but attention should be paid to the list of cross-border e-commerce retail imported goods to confirm whether import is permitted. Relevant quarantine certificates must also be provided.
Q: How is pet food classified if it contains medicinal ingredients?
A: If it contains medicinal ingredients and is used for treatment, it may be classified under Chapter 30 pharmaceuticals. If it is only a nutritional supplement, it is still classified under 230910. It should be determined based on ingredients and use.
Q: How can one check the import tariff rate for 230910?
A: One may consult the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China issued by the General Administration of Customs or check through the "Internet + Customs" platform. Tariff rates may vary due to trade agreements, place of origin, etc., and the latest tariff should prevail.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.