HTSBase
HTSUS, United States

1703.90.30.00

Imported for (a) the commercial extraction of sugar or (b) human consumption

Classification path

  1. Molasses resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar
  2. Other
  3. Imported for (a) the commercial extraction of sugar or (b) human consumption

Rates of duty

General (MFN)
0.35¢/liter
Column 2Cuba, North Korea, Russia, Belarus
1.8¢/liter
Unit of quantity
liters

Trade agreement rates

FreeGSP (lapsed since Dec 31, 2020), U.S.-Australia FTA, U.S.-Bahrain FTA, U.S.-Chile FTA, U.S.-Colombia TPA, AGOA (authorized through Dec 31, 2026), E, U.S.-Israel FTA, U.S.-Jordan FTA, U.S.-Korea FTA, U.S.-Morocco FTA, U.S.-Oman FTA, CAFTA-DR, U.S.-Panama TPA, U.S.-Peru TPA, USMCA, U.S.-Singapore FTA

Related lines in heading 1703

About heading 1703

Molasses resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar

Heading 1703 covers molasses that is left over from extracting or refining sugar, whether from cane, beet or other sources. The heading splits first by source into cane molasses (1703.10) and other molasses (1703.90), then by end use: molasses imported for commercial sugar extraction or for human consumption pays a per-liter rate, while all other molasses pays a rate based on total sugar content. Products that are refined sugars, syrups with added flavoring, or sugar confectionery are classified outside this heading.

Full guide to heading 1703

Products in this heading

  • Blackstrap molasses packed in retail jars for baking
  • Unsulphured cane molasses sold as an ingredient for gingerbread and sauces
  • Bulk cane molasses shipped to a sugar refinery for further sugar recovery
  • Beet molasses from sugar beet processing sold in drums
  • Molasses sold in bulk to distilleries for fermentation
  • Molasses used as a feed ingredient in livestock rations
  • Cane molasses imported for human consumption in food manufacturing

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for cane molasses imported for human consumption?

It is 1703.10.30.00, which covers cane molasses imported for the commercial extraction of sugar or for human consumption. The general (MFN) rate is 0.35 cents per liter.

What is the duty on molasses that is not for sugar extraction or human consumption?

Other molasses of 1703.90.50.00 has a general (MFN) rate of 0.01 cents per kg of total sugars. Cane molasses for other uses is 1703.10.50.00 at the same 0.01 cents per kg of total sugars rate.

How do I classify a shipment of molasses?

Start in heading 1703 and decide the source: cane molasses is 1703.10 and other molasses is 1703.90. Then apply the end use, using 1703.90.30.00 at a general (MFN) rate of 0.35 cents per liter for molasses imported for commercial sugar extraction or human consumption.

Source: USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule, retrieved October 21, 2026.

HTS 1703.90.30.00: Imported for (a) the commercial extraction of sugar or (b)..., 0.35¢/liter duty | HTSBase