Product classification
HS code for Animal feed ingredients: 2308.00
Vegetable materials and vegetable waste, vegetable residues and by-products, whether or not in the form of pellets, of a kind used in animal feeding, not elsewhere specified or included.
Classification of animal feed ingredients under HS 2308.00
Animal feed ingredients are classified under HS code 230800 based on the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6. This specific heading is designed to capture vegetable materials, waste, residues, and by-products that are used for animal nutrition but are not specifically mentioned in other headings of Chapter 23. The classification logic relies on the fact that these materials have typically undergone minimal processing, such as drying, cleaning, or being compressed into pellets to facilitate transport. Unlike heading 2309, which covers prepared animal fodder consisting of multiple ingredients mixed together to form a balanced ration, 230800 focuses on single-origin vegetable materials that retain their essential character as agricultural residues. This includes materials that might otherwise be considered waste in the food processing industry but possess nutritional value for livestock. The Harmonized System ensures that these raw or semi-processed materials are distinguished from highly processed chemical additives or complex feed mixtures, providing a clear path for customs valuation and regulatory compliance.
- Covers
- Beet-pulp and bagasse
- Fruit pomace and marc (e.g., grape or apple residues)
- Acorns and horse-chestnuts
- Cereal straw and husks (unprepared)
- Vegetable peelings and waste from canning processes
- Pelletized vegetable residues for fodder
- Also under 2308.00
- Südzucker Sugar Beet Pulp
- Cargill Citrus Pulp
- Anheuser-Busch InBev Spent Grains
- local agricultural co-op by-products
- Nutreco Feed Ingredients.
Codes often confused with 2308.00
Common mistake. A frequent point of confusion occurs between HS code 230800 and 230990. While 230800 is for vegetable residues and by-products, 230990 covers "preparations of a kind used in animal feeding." If a product has been fortified with vitamins, minerals, or other additives, it must be classified under 2309. Additionally, 121490 (hay and forage) is often confused with 230800; however, 1214 is generally reserved for crops specifically grown for forage, whereas 230800 covers residues from other agricultural processes.
Top exporters and importers of HS 230800 (the code used for animal feed ingredients), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 230800 (the code used for animal feed ingredients) in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 18% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 230800, not only animal feed ingredients.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $94M 12% of world exports
- 2 China $85M 11% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $75M 9.9% of world exports
World total: $756M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United Kingdom $189M 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $104M 10% of world imports
- 3 Ireland $102M 9.9% of world imports
World total: $1.0B 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.
Brazil NCM code for animal feed ingredients
Brazil classifies animal feed ingredients under NCM 2308.00.00: HS 2308.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about animal feed ingredients
What is the HS code for Animal feed ingredients?
The HS code for Animal feed ingredients is 230800 (Vegetable materials and vegetable waste, vegetable residues and by-products; whether or not in the form of pellets, of a kind used in animal feeding, not elsewhere specified or included). The primary HS code for vegetable-based animal feed ingredients that are residues or by-products is 230800.
How do I classify Animal feed ingredients for customs?
Animal feed ingredients is classified under HS code 230800 — Vegetable materials and vegetable waste, vegetable residues and by-products; whether or not in the form of pellets, of a kind used in animal feeding, not elsewhere specified or included. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can animal feed ingredients containing minerals use this code?
No, if the ingredient is a mixture containing added minerals or chemical substances to create a complete feed, it should be classified under heading 2309.
Which countries are the top exporters of animal feed ingredients (HS 230800)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 230800 (the code used for animal feed ingredients) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($94M, 12% of world exports), China ($85M) and the Netherlands ($75M). World exports came to about $756M, 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 animal feed ingredients (HS 230800)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 230800 (the code used for animal feed ingredients) in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($189M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($104M) and Ireland ($102M). World imports came to about $1.0B, 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.
Is the HS code for Animal feed ingredients the same in all countries?
The base HS code 230800 for Animal feed ingredients is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for animal feed ingredients in Brazil?
In Brazil, animal feed ingredients (HS 230800) is classified under NCM 2308.00.00.