HS code · 2-digit chapter

HS Code 35 – Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes

What HS 35 covers

Chapter 35 of the Harmonized System encompasses a diverse range of natural macromolecular substances and their derivatives, along with various types of glues and enzymes. This chapter is critical for industries spanning food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, textiles, paper, and manufacturing. It primarily covers albuminoidal substances (like casein, albumins, and gelatin), modified starches (such as dextrins), prepared glues not falling under other specific chapters, and enzymes. The scope is broad, capturing both raw materials and semi-finished products essential for further processing. Key sub-categories include 3501 for casein and its derivatives, 3502 for albumins, 3503 for gelatin and animal glues, 3504 for peptones and other protein substances, 3505 for modified starches, 3506 for prepared glues, and 3507 for enzymes. Understanding these distinctions is vital for trade compliance, as misclassification can lead to incorrect duty rates, regulatory non-compliance, and supply chain disruptions. The historical significance of many items, particularly glues and starches, dates back centuries, while the enzyme sector has seen explosive growth with modern biotechnology, revolutionizing processes in numerous industries. Accurate classification within Chapter 35 ensures proper customs valuation, eligibility for preferential trade agreements, and adherence to specific health, safety, and environmental regulations relevant to industrial, food-grade, or pharmaceutical applications.

Covers
  • Casein
  • Sodium caseinate
  • Edible gelatin
  • Pharmaceutical grade gelatin
  • Bovine serum albumin (BSA)
  • Egg albumin powder
  • Wheat gluten
  • Modified potato starch
  • Oxidized starch
  • Dextrin
  • Tapioca starch glue
  • Animal hide glue
  • Fish glue
  • Starch-based industrial adhesives
  • Papermaking glues
  • Food-grade amylase
  • Industrial cellulase enzymes
  • Lipase enzymes
  • Rennin (chymosin)
  • Isinglass
  • Peptones
  • Protein hydrolysates
  • Gelatin capsules (empty)
  • Glue sticks (starch-based)
Examples

A US food manufacturer imports industrial-grade amylase enzymes (HS 3507) from Denmark for use in baking bread. This shipment travels via air freight from Copenhagen to Chicago, subject to FDA regulations and specific tariff rates under the USMCA or MFN. Another scenario involves a Brazilian company exporting pharmaceutical-grade bovine gelatin (HS 3503) to India for capsule manufacturing. The shipment goes by sea freight from Santos to Mumbai, requiring health certificates and adherence to both countries' pharmaceutical ingredient regulations. Furthermore, a Chinese chemical company exports oxidized tapioca starch (HS 3505) to Vietnam for use as a sizing agent in paper production, with bulk cargo moving by sea from Shanghai to Ho Chi Minh City, often benefiting from ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) preferential tariffs. Lastly, a European dairy company imports high-purity casein (HS 3501) from New Zealand for manufacturing cheese and protein supplements, involving refrigerated sea freight from Auckland to Rotterdam, with strict veterinary and food safety controls.

Headings in chapter 35 7

35.01Casein, caseinates and other casein derivatives; casein glues35.02Albumins (including concentrates of two or more whey proteins, containing by weight more than 80% whey proteins, calculated on the dry matter), albuminates and other albumin derivatives35.03Gelatin (including gelatin in rectangular sheets, whether or not surface-worked or coloured) and gelatin derivatives; isinglass; other glues of animal origin, excluding casein glues of heading no. 350135.04Peptones and their derivatives; other protein substances and their derivatives n.e.c. or included; hide powder, whether or not chromed35.05Dextrins and other modified starches (e.g. pregelatinised or esterified starches); glues based on starches or on dextrins or other modified starches35.06Prepared glues and other prepared adhesives, n.e.c. or included; products suitable for use as glues or adhesives, put up for retail sale as glues or adhesives, not exceeding 1kg net weight35.07Enzymes; prepared enzymes not elsewhere specified or included

42 Brazil NCM codes in chapter 35 →

Codes often confused with 35

Common mistake. Common misclassification errors in Chapter 35 often arise from the nuanced definitions of 'prepared' and 'modified,' and overlap with other material-specific chapters. Traders frequently confuse prepared glues of heading 3506 with glues primarily composed of plastic polymers, which belong in Chapter 39 (e.g., 3906 for acrylic polymer-based adhesives or 3907 for epoxy adhesives). The key is the primary adhesive component; if it's a plastic, Chapter 39 takes precedence over 3506's residual 'not elsewhere specified' nature. Another common mistake is classifying unmodified starches under 3505; these belong in Chapter 11 (e.g., 1108). Chapter 3505 is specifically for 'modified' starches, implying chemical or physical alteration beyond simple extraction. Lastly, enzymes prepared as medicaments or diagnostic reagents in measured doses or for retail sale are classified under Chapter 30 (e.g., 3004 or 3002), not 3507, which covers industrial bulk enzymes.

35.06Prepared glues and other prepared adhesives, n.e.c. or included; products suitable for use as glues or adhesives, put up for retail sale as glues or adhesives, not exceeding 1kg net weight39.06Acrylic polymers in primary forms39.07Polyacetals, other polyethers and epoxide resins, in primary forms; polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyallyl esters and other polyesters, in primary forms35.05Dextrins and other modified starches (e.g. pregelatinised or esterified starches); glues based on starches or on dextrins or other modified starches11.08Starches; inulin30.04Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale30.02Human blood; animal blood for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses; antisera, other blood fractions, immunological products, modified or obtained by biotechnological processes; vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) etc35.07Enzymes; prepared enzymes not elsewhere specified or included

Top exporters and importers of HS code 35, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 35 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 10% 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 Germany $5.5B
  2. 2 United States $5.4B
  3. 3 China $5.3B

World total: $44.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $4.6B
  2. 2 United States $3.9B
  3. 3 Germany $3.4B

World total: $45.5B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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.

Questions about HS 35

What is HS code 35?

HS code 35 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes. Chapter 35 of the Harmonized System encompasses a diverse range of natural macromolecular substances and their derivatives, along with various types of glues and enzymes. This chapter is critical for industries spanning food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, textiles, paper, and manufacturing. It primarily covers albuminoidal substances (like casein, albumins, and gelatin), modified starches (such as dextrins), prepared glues not falling under other specific chapters, and enzymes. The scope is broad, capturing both raw materials and semi-finished products essential for further processing. Key sub-categories include 3501 for casein and its derivatives, 3502 for albumins, 3503 for gelatin and animal glues, 3504 for peptones and other protein substances, 3505 for modified starches, 3506 for prepared glues, and 3507 for enzymes. Understanding these distinctions is vital for trade compliance, as misclassification can lead to incorrect duty rates, regulatory non-compliance, and supply chain disruptions. The historical significance of many items, particularly glues and starches, dates back centuries, while the enzyme sector has seen explosive growth with modern biotechnology, revolutionizing processes in numerous industries. Accurate classification within Chapter 35 ensures proper customs valuation, eligibility for preferential trade agreements, and adherence to specific health, safety, and environmental regulations relevant to industrial, food-grade, or pharmaceutical applications.

What products fall under HS code 35?

Casein, Sodium caseinate, Edible gelatin, Pharmaceutical grade gelatin, Bovine serum albumin (BSA), Egg albumin powder, Wheat gluten, Modified potato starch, Oxidized starch, Dextrin, Tapioca starch glue, Animal hide glue, Fish glue, Starch-based industrial adhesives, Papermaking glues, Food-grade amylase, Industrial cellulase enzymes, Lipase enzymes, Rennin (chymosin), Isinglass, Peptones, Protein hydrolysates, Gelatin capsules (empty), Glue sticks (starch-based)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 35?

Common misclassification errors in Chapter 35 often arise from the nuanced definitions of 'prepared' and 'modified,' and overlap with other material-specific chapters. Traders frequently confuse prepared glues of heading 3506 with glues primarily composed of plastic polymers, which belong in Chapter 39 (e.g., 3906 for acrylic polymer-based adhesives or 3907 for epoxy adhesives). The key is the primary adhesive component; if it's a plastic, Chapter 39 takes precedence over 3506's residual 'not elsewhere specified' nature. Another common mistake is classifying unmodified starches under 3505; these belong in Chapter 11 (e.g., 1108). Chapter 3505 is specifically for 'modified' starches, implying chemical or physical alteration beyond simple extraction. Lastly, enzymes prepared as medicaments or diagnostic reagents in measured doses or for retail sale are classified under Chapter 30 (e.g., 3004 or 3002), not 3507, which covers industrial bulk enzymes.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 35?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 35 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($5.5B, 12% of world exports), the United States ($5.4B) and China ($5.3B). World exports came to about $44.7B, 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 35?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 35 in UN Comtrade data were China ($4.6B, 10% of world imports), the United States ($3.9B) and Germany ($3.4B). World imports came to about $45.5B, 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 35 structured?

HS code 35 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.