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Mercosur Common Nomenclature (MCN)

MERCOSUR Common Nomenclature

MercosulThe MERCOSUR Common Nomenclature (MCN) was adopted by the countries that integrate the Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay Block to foster international trade growth, make the creation and comparison of statistics easier, in addition to elaborating freight tariffs and providing other relevant information to international trade.

¦ Find your Mercosur Common Nomenclature ¦ What is the Harmonized System (HS)¦ Structure and Composition of Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM) ¦

Find your Mercosur Common Nomenclature


  00 – SERVICES
  01 – LIVE ANIMALS
  02 – MEAT AND EDIBLE MEAT OFFAL
  03 – FISH AND CRUSTACEANS, MOLLUSCS AND OTHER AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES
  04 – DAIRY PRODUCE; BIRDS’ EGGS; NATURAL HONEY; EDIBLE PRODUCTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED OR INCLUDED
  05 – PRODUCTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED OR INCLUDED
  06 – LIVE TREES AND OTHER PLANTS; BULBS, ROOTS AND THE LIKE; CUT FLOWERS AND ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE
  07 – EDIBLE VEGETABLES AND CERTAIN ROOTS AND TUBERS
  08 – EDIBLE FRUIT AND NUTS; PEEL OF CITRUS FRUIT OR MELONS
  09 – COFFEE, TEA, MATE AND SPICES
  10 – CEREALS
  11 – PRODUCTS OF THE MILLING INDUSTRY; MALT; STARCHES; INULIN; WHEAT GLUTEN
  12 – OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUITS; MISCELLANEOUS GRAINS, SEEDS AND FRUIT; INDUSTRIAL OR MEDICINAL PLANTS; STRAW AND FODDER
  13 – LAC; GUMS, RESINS AND OTHER VEGETABLE SAPS AND EXTRACTS
  14 – VEGETABLE PLAITING MATERIALS; VEGETABLE PRODUCTS NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED OR INCLUDED
  15 – ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS AND THEIR CLEAVAGE PRODUCTS; PREPARED EDIBLE FATS; ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE WAXES
  16 – PREPARATIONS OF MEAT, OF FISH OR OF CRUSTACEANS, MOLLUSCS OR OTHER AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES
  17 – SUGARS AND SUGAR CONFECTIONERY
  18 – COCOA AND COCOA PREPARATIONS
  19 – PREPARATIONS OF CEREALS, FLOUR, STARCH OR MILK; PASTRYCOOKS’ PRODUCTS
  20 – PREPARATIONS OF VEGETABLES, FRUIT, NUTS OR OTHER PARTS OF PLANTS
  21 – MISCELLANEOUS EDIBLE PREPARATIONS
  22 – BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR
  23 – RESIDUES AND WASTE FROM THE FOOD INDUSTRIES; PREPARED ANIMAL FODDER
  24 – TOBACCO AND MANUFACTURED TOBACCO SUBSTITUTES
  25 – SALT; SULPHUR; EARTHS AND STONE; PLASTERING MATERIALS, LIME AND CEMENT
  26 – ORES, SLAG AND ASH
  27 – MINERAL FUELS, MINERAL OILS AND PRODUCTS OF THEIR DISTILLATION; BITUMINOUS SUBSTANCES; MINERAL WAXES
  28 – INORGANIC CHEMICALS; ORGANIC OR INORGANIC COMPOUNDS OF PRECIOUS METALS, OF RARE-EARTH METALS, OF RADIOACTIVE ELEMENTS OR OF ISOTOPES
  29 – ORGANIC CHEMICALS
  30 – PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
  31 – FERTILIZERS
  32 – TANNING OR DYEING EXTRACTS; TANNINS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES; DYES, PIGMENTS AND OTHER COLOURING MATTER; PAINTS AND VARNISHES; PUTTY AND OTHER MASTICS; INKS
  33 – ESSENTIAL OILS AND RESINOIDS; PERFUMERY, COSMETIC OR TOILET PREPARATIONS
  34 – SOAP, ORGANIC SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS, WASHING PREPARATIONS, LUBRICATING PREPARATIONS, ARTIFICIAL WAXES, PREPARED WAXES, POLISHING OR SCOURING PREPARATIONS, CANDLES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES, MODELLING PASTES, “DENTAL WAXES” AND DENTAL PREPARATIONS WITH A BASIS OF PLASTER
  35 – ALBUMINOIDAL SUBSTANCES; MODIFIED STARCHES; GLUES; ENZYMES
  36 – EXPLOSIVES; PYROTECHNIC PRODUCTS; MATCHES; PYROPHORIC ALLOYS; CERTAIN COMBUSTIBLE PREPARATIONS
  37 – PHOTOGRAPHIC OR CINEMATOGRAPHIC GOODS
  38 – MISCELLANEOUS CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
  39 – PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF
  40 – RUBBER AND ARTICLES THEREOF
  41 – RAW HIDES AND SKINS (OTHER THAN FURSKINS) AND LEATHER
  42 – ARTICLES OF LEATHER; SADDLERY AND HARNESS; TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS; ARTICLES OF ANIMAL GUT (OTHER THAN SILK-WORM GUT)
  43 – FURSKINS AND ARTIFICIAL FUR; MANUFACTURES THEREOF
  44 – WOOD AND ARTICLES OF WOOD; WOOD CHARCOAL
  45 – CORK AND ARTICLES OF CORK
  46 – MANUFACTURES OF STRAW, OF ESPARTO OR OF OTHER PLAITING MATERIALS; BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK
  47 – PULP OF WOOD OR OF OTHER FIBROUS CELLULOSIC MATERIAL; RECOVERED (WASTE AND SCRAP) PAPER OR PAPERBOARD
  48 – PAPER AND PAPERBOARD; ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD
  49 – PRINTED BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS, PICTURES AND OTHER PRODUCTS OF THE PRINTING INDUSTRY; MANUSCRIPTS, TYPESCRIPTS AND PLANS
  50 – SILK
  51 – WOOL, FINE OR COARSE ANIMAL HAIR; HORSEHAIR YARN AND WOVEN FABRIC
  52 – COTTON
  53 – OTHER VEGETABLE TEXTILE FIBRES; PAPER YARN AND WOVEN FABRICS OF PAPER YARN
  54 – MAN-MADE FILAMENTS; STRIP AND THE LIKE OF MAN-MADE TEXTILE MATERIALS
  55 – MAN-MADE STAPLE FIBRES
  56 – WADDING, FELT AND NONWOVENS; SPECIAL YARNS; TWINE, CORDAGE, ROPES AND CABLES AND ARTICLES THEREOF
  57 – CARPETS AND OTHER TEXTILE FLOOR COVERINGS
  58 – SPECIAL WOVEN FABRICS; TUFTED TEXTILE FABRICS; LACE; TAPESTRIES; TRIMMINGS; EMBROIDERY
  59 – IMPREGNATED, COATED, COVERED OR LAMINATED TEXTILE FABRICS; TEXTILE ARTICLES OF A KIND SUITABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL USE
  60 – KNITTED OR CROCHETED FABRICS
  61 – ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES, KNITTED OR CROCHETED
  62 – ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES, NOT KNITTED OR CROCHETED
  63 – OTHER MADE UP TEXTILE ARTICLES; SETS; WORN CLOTHING AND WORN TEXTILE ARTICLES; RAGS
  64 – FOOTWEAR, GAITERS AND THE LIKE; PARTS OF SUCH ARTICLES
  65 – HEADGEAR AND PARTS THEREOF
  66 – UMBRELLAS, SUN UMBRELLAS, WALKING-STICKS, SEAT-STICKS, WHIPS, RIDING-CROPS AND PARTS THEREOF
  67 – PREPARED FEATHERS AND DOWN AND ARTICLES MADE OF FEATHERS OR OF DOWN; ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS; ARTICLES OF HUMAN HAIR
  68 – ARTICLES OF STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS, MICA OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
  69 – CERAMIC PRODUCTS
  70 – GLASS AND GLASSWARE
  71 – NATURAL OR CULTURED PEARLS, PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES, PRECIOUS METALS, METALS CLAD WITH PRECIOUS METAL, AND ARTICLES THEREOF; IMITATION JEWELLERY; COIN
  72 – IRON AND STEEL
  73 – ARTICLES OF IRON OR STEEL
  74 – COPPER AND ARTICLES THEREOF
  75 – NICKEL AND ARTICLES THEREOF
  76 – ALUMINIUM AND ARTICLES THEREOF
  78 – LEAD AND ARTICLES THEREOF
  79 – ZINC AND ARTICLES THEREOF
  80 – TIN AND ARTICLES THEREOF
  81 – OTHER BASE METALS; CERMETS; ARTICLES THEREOF
  82 – TOOLS, IMPLEMENTS, CUTLERY, SPOONS AND FORKS, OF BASE METAL; PARTS THEREOF OF BASE METAL
  83 – MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES OF BASE METAL
  84 – NUCLEAR REACTORS, BOILERS, MACHINERY AND MECHANICAL APPLIANCES; PARTS THEREOF
  85 – ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND PARTS THEREOF; SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, TELEVISION IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES OF SUCH ARTICLES
  86 – RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY LOCOMOTIVES, ROLLING-STOCK AND PARTS THEREOF; RAILWAY OR TRAMWAY TRACK FIXTURES AND FITTINGS AND PARTS THEREOF; MECHANICAL (INCLUDING ELECTRO-MECHANICAL) TRAFFIC SIGNALLING EQUIPMENT OF ALL KINDS
  87 – VEHICLES OTHER THAN RAILWAY OR TRAMWAY ROLLING-STOCK, AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES THEREOF
  88 – AIRCRAFT, SPACECRAFT, AND PARTS THEREOF
  89 – SHIPS, BOATS AND FLOATING STRUCTURES
  90 – OPTICAL, PHOTOGRAPHIC, CINEMATOGRAPHIC, MEASURING, CHECKING, PRECISION, MEDICAL OR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; PARTS AND ACCESSORIES THEREOF
  91 – CLOCKS AND WATCHES AND PARTS THEREOF
  92 – MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; PARTS AND ACCESSORIES OF SUCH ARTICLES
  93 – ARMS AND AMMUNITION; PARTS AND ACCESSORIES THEREOF
  94 – FURNITURE; BEDDING, MATTRESSES, MATTRESS SUPPORTS, CUSHIONS AND SIMILAR STUFFED FURNISHINGS; LAMPS AND LIGHTING FITTINGS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED OR INCLUDED; ILLUMINATED SIGNS, ILLUMINATED NAME-PLATES AND THE LIKE; PREFABRICATED BUILDINGS
  95 – TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTS REQUISITES; PARTS AND ACCESSORIES THEREOF
  96 – MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES
  97 – WORKS OF ART, COLLECTORS’ PIECES AND ANTIQUES


What is the Harmonized System (HS)?

The Harmonized Commodity Classification and Coding System (HS), or simply Harmonized System, is an international method of product classification based on a code structure and related descriptions.

This System was created to promote international trade development and to improve the collection, comparison and statistical analysis, especially on foreign trade. Besides, HS facilitates international trade negociations, develops freight costs and statistics related to different modalities of product transportation and also generates other information used by the the intervenients on foreign trade.

The composition of SH code by six digits is based on a fundamental principle that goods are classified by what they are, by their specific characteristics, such as origin, component material and application. Products are hierarchically organized in a logical numerical order, hierarchically organized by their degree of processing and sophistication.

The Harmonized System (HS) is composed by:

• Nomenclature – Divided into 21 Sections, composed by 96 Chapters, and also by Section, Chapters and Sub-position Notes. Chapters are divided into positions and sub-positions, which are characterized by numerical codes each of them. While Chapter 77 was reserved for an eventual use in future, Chapters 98 and 99 were reserved for special use of the Contratant Parts. Brazil, for example, uses Chapter 99 to register special operations of exportation;

• General Rules for the Interpretation of the HS – Establish general rules for the classification of products within the Nomenclature;

• Explanation Notes on the Harmonized System (NESH) – Provide clarifications and interpret the Harmonized System, establishing, in details, the range and the contents of the Nomenclature.

Structure and Composition of Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM)

Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay adopt, since 1995, the Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM), which is based on the Harmonized System. O NCM is composed by 8 digits: the first six-digits are from the Harmonized System (HS); and the seventh and eighth digits were created according to a definition set up by bloc members.

The system of code classification within Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM) rely on the following structure:

 Structure and Composition of Mercosur Common Nomeclature (NCM)

Structure and Composition of Mercosur Common Nomeclature (NCM)

 

 

 

 

 

Example:

Code NCM: 0104.10.11          Ewes, in lamb or with their young

This code is the result of the following datailment:

Section I                             Live animals and animal by products

Chapter 01                         Live animals

Position 0104                   Live sheep and goats

Sub-position 0104.10   Sheep

Item 0104.10.1                Pure-bred bredding animals

Sub-item 0104.10.11     Ewes, in lamb or with their young

 

Simplified Directions for Product Classification

Simplified directions in order to classify products in different levels are presented below:

  1. Take a look at the General Rules for Interpretation of the HS and the General Complementary Rules of NCM (item IV);
  2. Identify the appropriate Section and Chapter, available on item VII table;
  3. Click on the Chapter selected to see the table of product codes and descriptions within NCM;
  4. Classify the product, following the order of the NCM classification (position, sub-position, item and sub-item), in accordance with product specific characteristics, as stated on item II;

Note: For product classification is essential to consider, when applicable, Section and Chapter Notes, available in the table of item VII. When a Section has notes, click on “See Section Notes”, at the end of Section description. Chapter Notes come before the codes and descriptions of each of them.

General Rules for Interpretation of the HS and General Complementary Rules of NCM

Product classification within the Nomenclature is based on the following rules:

1. Titles of Sections, Chapters and Sub-chapters have just an indicative value. For legal matters, the classification is defined by the positions and by the Section and Chapter Notes. When it is not discrepant with the position and Notes, the classification can also be defined by the following rules.

2.

  • a) A product can be classified in a specific position even if the product is still incomplete or unfinished. In this situation the product needs to have, in the form it is presented, at least the essential characteristic of the completed and finished product. This rule also applies to products that need fitting up.
  • b) Any reference to a substance in a specific position regards this substance in a pure situation, mixed or as a component of a product together with other substances. Also, any reference to by-products includes by-products formed partly or entirely by a specific substance. The classification of those mixed articles or of a composition is made in accordance with the principles of Rule 3.

3. When the product seems to be classified in two or more positions by application of Rule 2.b) or by any other reason, the classification should be made in the following way:

  • a) A more specific position prevails on the more generical. However, when two or more positions refer, each one of them, to just a part of the constituent material of a mixed product or of a composed article, or also to a component of a product to be sold at retail; those position should be considered in relation to the products or articles as also specific, even if one of them presents a more complete description of the product.
  • b) Mixed products, products composed by different materials or by the combination of different articles and products to be sold at retail which classification cannot be made under the application of Rule 3.a), are classified by the substance or article that gives them the essential characteristic, when it is possible to determine this characteristic.
  • c) In case that Rules 3.a) and 3.b) do not apply to a product, this product should be classified in the last position (considering a numerical order) of the ones that should be taken into consideration.

4. Products that cannot be classified under the Rules stated above should be classified in the position that most reflects the nature of the product.

5. Beyond the definitions above, products listed bellow should be classified under the following Rules:

  • a) Cases for photographical equipments, for musical instruments, for guns, for drawing instruments, for jewelry and similars, especially made to store these products for a long time, when presented together and normally sold with them, are, as a result, classified with them. However, this Rule does not apply to receptacles that give them the essential characteristic.
  • b) Confirming what is stated on Rule 5.a), products package classify together with the products when they are used to wrap up them. Nevertheless, this rule is not obligatory when the package is clearly used repeatedly.

6. The classification of products in a sub-position of a same position is stated, in legal matters, by the texts and Notes of these sub-positions, as well as by “mutatis mutandis”, former Rules. One can only compare sub-positions of the same level. Under the same logic of the rule just stated, Section and Chapter Notes can also be applied.

General Complementary Rules of NCM (GCR)

1. The General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System is used for, “mutatis mutandis”, the definition, under each position or sub-position, of the applicable item and, considering this last one, the definition of the related sub-item. The regional detailment (item and sub-item) is only comparable if they have the same level.

 

Explanation Notes on the Harmonized System (ENSH)

The Explanation Notes on the Harmonized System (ENHS) includes the Section, Chapter and Sub-position Notes. It is an great and detailed text that establish the range and content of the HS Nomenclature. The publication is available for consultation in the Section of Trade Information – NUCEX, in the following address:

Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade
Secretariat of Foreign Trade
Foreign Trade Operation Departament
Trade Information Section
Praça Pio X, nº 54 – Loja – Centro
Rio de Janeiro – RJ – Brazil

Legal Basis: Decree nº 97.409, of 12/23/1988 (DOU of 12/28/1988), that promulgated the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Classification and Coding System, as well as the corrections afterwards.

Doubts on the Classification

The attendance of consultations about product classification is faculty of the Secretariat of Federal Reserve (SFR), through the General-Coordination of Taxing System and by the Regional Superintendence of the Federal Reserve.

In case of doubt about the correct classification of the product, please contact the Federal Reserve Unity of your region, and elaborate a written consultation, in accordance with directions on the website of the Secretariat of Federal Receita:

Abbreviation and Symbols used by NCM

ASTMBq
ºC
cg
cm(s)
cm²
cm³
cN
cSt
g
GHz
HRC
Hz
IV
kcal
kg
kgf
kN
kPa
kV
“American Society for Testing
Materials” (Sociedade Americana
de Ensaio de Materiais)
Becquerel
Celsius
centigram(s)
centimetre(s)
Square centimetre(s)
Cubic centimetre(s)
centinewton(s)
centistoke(s)
gram(s)
gigahertz
rockwell C
hertz
infrared
kilocalory(s)
kilogram(s)
kilogram(s)-force
kilonewton(s)
kilopascal(is)
kilovolt(s)
kVA
kvar
kW
l
m
m-

m Ci
mm
mN
MHz
MPa
N
o-
p-
t
UV
V
vol.
W
%
kilovolt-ampere
kilovolt-ampere reactive
kilowatt(s)
litre(s)
metre(s)
meta-
square meter
microcurie
millimetre(s)
millinewton(s)
megahertz
megapascal(is)
newton(s)
orto-
para-
ton(s)
ultraviolet(s)
volt(s)
volume
watt(s)
per cent
x degree(s)

 

Examples:
1500g/m²  –  a thousand and five hundred grams for square meter
15ºC  –  fifteen Celsius