HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 1008.50 – Cereals; quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)

HS code 1008.50 is the 6-digit subheading for cereals, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa). It is used for white quinoa, red quinoa, black quinoa, quinoa flour and quinoa flakes.

What HS 1008.50 covers

Quinoa, classified under this HS code, has transformed from a traditional Andean staple to a globally recognized 'superfood' due to its complete protein profile, gluten-free nature, and rich nutrient content. It is widely traded in various forms, including whole grain, flour, and flakes, catering to health-conscious consumers and food manufacturers. Major importers include health food distributors, organic food companies, and large food processors in developed countries. Exporters are primarily agricultural cooperatives and large-scale producers from the Andean region, where quinoa has been cultivated for millennia. Key considerations in this trade involve ensuring organic certification, fair trade practices, and managing the supply chain to meet fluctuating global demand. The market is influenced by dietary trends, sustainability concerns, and the increasing adoption of plant-based diets.

Covers
  • White quinoa
  • Red quinoa
  • Black quinoa
  • Quinoa flour
  • Quinoa flakes
  • Puffed quinoa
  • Quinoa pasta
  • Quinoa seeds for planting
Examples
  • Ancient Harvest Quinoa
  • Bob's Red Mill Quinoa
  • Kirkland Signature Organic Quinoa
  • Andean Naturals

Codes often confused with 1008.50

Common mistake. Often confused with 100890 (other cereals n.e.c.) if its specific classification is overlooked, or even 121299 (other products of heading 1212) if not recognized as a true cereal grain.

1008.90Cereals; n.e.c. in chapter 101212.99Vegetable products; fit for human consumption, n.e.c. in heading no. 1212, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground12.12Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet, sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones, kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots) used primarily for human consumption, n.e.c.

Top exporters and importers of HS code 100850, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 100850 in UN Comtrade data was Peru, with about 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 31% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Peru* ~$163M
  2. 2 Bolivia $93M
  3. 3 Netherlands $15M

World total: $353M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $109M
  2. 2 Canada $32M
  3. 3 Germany $22M

World total: $352M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

How these figures are built

109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).

Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.

Brazil NCM codes for 1008.50 2

Brazil splits HS 1008.50 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 1008.50.10 Quinoa seed for sowingPara semeadura (sementeira)
  2. 1008.50.90 Quinoa, not for sowingOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 10.08 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 1008.50

What is HS code 100850?

HS code 100850 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cereals; quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa). Quinoa, classified under this HS code, has transformed from a traditional Andean staple to a globally recognized 'superfood' due to its complete protein profile, gluten-free nature, and rich nutrient content. It is widely traded in various forms, including whole grain, flour, and flakes, catering to health-conscious consumers and food manufacturers. Major importers include health food distributors, organic food companies, and large food processors in developed countries. Exporters are primarily agricultural cooperatives and large-scale producers from the Andean region, where quinoa has been cultivated for millennia. Key considerations in this trade involve ensuring organic certification, fair trade practices, and managing the supply chain to meet fluctuating global demand. The market is influenced by dietary trends, sustainability concerns, and the increasing adoption of plant-based diets.

What products fall under HS code 100850?

White quinoa, Red quinoa, Black quinoa, Quinoa flour, Quinoa flakes, Puffed quinoa, Quinoa pasta, Quinoa seeds for planting

What are common misclassifications for HS code 100850?

Often confused with 100890 (other cereals n.e.c.) if its specific classification is overlooked, or even 121299 (other products of heading 1212) if not recognized as a true cereal grain.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 100850?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 100850 in UN Comtrade data were Peru (about $163M, 46% of world exports), Bolivia ($93M) and the Netherlands ($15M). World exports came to about $353M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 100850?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 100850 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($109M, 31% of world imports), Canada ($32M) and Germany ($22M). World imports came to about $352M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

How is HS code 100850 structured?

HS code 100850 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (10) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 100850?

Brazil splits HS code 100850 into 2 NCM codes: 1008.50.10 (Quinoa seed for sowing), 1008.50.90 (Quinoa, not for sowing). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.