## Common ground
All options describe hazelnut paste processed in ways that preserve or prepare it for consumption, often involving cooking, sweetening, or preservation.
## Options at a glance
**1704.90 – Sugar confectionery form**
- **Defining trait:** Formulated and packaged as a confectionery product, typically with added sugar and intended for direct eating like candy.
- **Typical examples:** Chocolate-covered hazelnut paste candies, sweetened spreads in small edible wrappers.
- **Best fit when:** The product is marketed as a sweet treat or part of a confectionery item.
**1806.90 – Cocoa-containing paste**
- **Defining trait:** Contains cocoa or chocolate as a key ingredient, distinguishing it from plain hazelnut paste.
- **Typical examples:** Nutella-style spreads, chocolate-hazelnut fillings for pastries.
- **Best fit when:** The product includes significant amounts of cocoa (e.g., >10% by weight).
**2007.10,2007.99 – Cooked with sweeteners**
- **Defining trait:** Made by cooking, possibly with added sugar or other sweetening agents, but not necessarily in confectionery form.
- **Typical examples:** Homemade hazelnut paste for baking, sweetened spreads used in recipes.
- **Best fit when:** The product is cooked and sweetened but sold as a food ingredient, not a candy.
**2008 – Preserved by cooking or dehydration**
- **Defining trait:** Preserved using heat, syrup, alcohol, or osmotic dehydration; may include added sugar.
- **Typical examples:** Hazelnut paste stored in syrup, dried or osmotically preserved for long shelf life.
- **Best fit when:** The product is preserved through methods like syrup soaking or dehydration.
**2106.90 – Nut-based food preparation**
- **Defining trait:** A blended food product where hazelnut paste is a base ingredient, used in further recipes or meals.
- **Typical examples:** Sauces, fillings for desserts, or ingredients in industrial food production.
- **Best fit when:** The paste is part of a larger food formulation, not sold as a standalone spread.
## Key differences
| Option | Main Differentiator | Sweetening | Form | Cocoa? |
|-------|---------------------|------------|------|--------|
| 1704.90 | Confectionery use | Yes | Candy-like | No |
| 1806.90 | Contains cocoa | Yes | Spread/food | Yes |
| 2007.10,2007.99 | Cooking process | Yes | Ingredient | No |
| 2008 | Preservation method | Variable | Shelf-stable | No |
| 2106.90 | Food preparation base | Variable | Industrial/recipe use | No |
## How to choose
- Is it sold as a candy or confectionery item? → 1704.90
- Does it contain cocoa or chocolate? → 1806.90
- Was it cooked and sweetened, but not for confectionery? → 2007.10,2007.99
- Is it preserved by syrup, alcohol, or dehydration? → 2008
- Is it used as a base in other food products (e.g., sauces, fillings)? → 2106.90
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- A cocoa-containing paste may also be cooked and sweetened (overlaps 1806.90 and 2007.10,2007.99).
- A preserved paste might also be used in food preparations (overlaps 2008 and 2106.90).
- If multiple traits apply, prioritize based on the product’s **main function**: confectionery → 1704.90; cocoa content → 1806.90; ingredient use → 2106.90