Product classification

HS code for Caseinate: 3501.90

Caseinates and other casein derivatives, casein glues.

Classification of caseinate under HS 3501.90

Caseinates and other casein derivatives are classified under HS code 3501.90. This code is a residual category within heading 3501, which covers casein and its derivatives. While 3501.10 is dedicated to pure casein, 3501.90 encompasses the salts of casein (caseinates) and other modified forms of the protein. Caseinates are produced by neutralizing acid casein with an alkaline substance, such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide. This process makes the protein water-soluble, which is a key functional requirement for many industrial and food applications. The classification 3501.90 also includes casein glues, which are adhesives formulated primarily from casein. The classification is driven by the chemical transformation of the base casein protein into a more functional salt or derivative. Under the Harmonized System, the addition of the alkali to create a salt is considered a sufficient modification to move the product from the primary protein code (3501.10) to the derivative code (3501.90). This code is also used for other derivatives like chlorinated casein or brominated casein. It is essential to distinguish these from prepared food supplements that might contain caseinates but also include other significant ingredients like fats or carbohydrates, which might lead to classification in heading 2106. The solubility in water is often the primary physical characteristic that distinguishes a caseinate from pure casein.

Covers
  • Sodium caseinate
  • Calcium caseinate
  • Potassium caseinate
  • Casein glues and adhesives
  • Chlorinated or brominated casein
Also under 3501.90
  • Arla Foods Ingredients Caseinates
  • Fonterra Caseinates
  • FrieslandCampina Caseinates
  • Kerry Group Caseinates
  • DMV Caseinates

Codes often confused with 3501.90

Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is using HS code 3501.10, which is only for the base casein protein. Another common error is 3506.10 for glues; however, if the glue is specifically a casein glue, heading 3501 is more specific and takes precedence. Caseinates are also sometimes incorrectly classified under 2106.90 as food preparations; they only belong there if they are part of a complex mixture with other nutrients. Finally, they should not be confused with albuminates, which fall under heading 3502.

3501.10Casein3506.10Glues or adhesives; prepared, products suitable for use as glues or adhesives, put up for retail sale as glues or adhesives, not exceeding a net weight of 1kg35.01Casein, caseinates and other casein derivatives; casein glues2106.90Food preparations; n.e.c. in item no. 2106.1035.02Albumins (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 derivatives

Top exporters and importers of HS 350190 (the code used for caseinate), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 350190 (the code used for caseinate) in UN Comtrade data was New Zealand, with 47% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 20% 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 350190, not only caseinate.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 New Zealand $380M
  2. 2 Germany $96M
  3. 3 Ireland $87M

World total: $803M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $259M
  2. 2 United States $220M
  3. 3 Germany $118M

World total: $1.3B 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 codes for caseinate

Brazil splits HS 3501.90 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about caseinate

What is the HS code for Caseinate?

The HS code for Caseinate is 350190 (Caseinates and other casein derivatives; casein glues). The HS code for caseinate is 3501.90. This code covers various salts of casein such as sodium and calcium caseinate.

How do I classify Caseinate for customs?

Caseinate is classified under HS code 350190 — Caseinates and other casein derivatives; casein glues. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What is the difference between casein and caseinate in the HS system?

Casein (3501.10) is the raw protein precipitated from milk, while caseinate (3501.90) is the water-soluble salt formed by reacting casein with an alkali.

Which countries are the top exporters of caseinate (HS 350190)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 350190 (the code used for caseinate) in UN Comtrade data were New Zealand ($380M, 47% of world exports), Germany ($96M) and Ireland ($87M). World exports came to about $803M, 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 caseinate (HS 350190)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 350190 (the code used for caseinate) in UN Comtrade data were China ($259M, 20% of world imports), the United States ($220M) and Germany ($118M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 Caseinate the same in all countries?

The base HS code 350190 for Caseinate 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 caseinate in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 350190 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for caseinate depends on the product's details: 3501.90.11 (Sodium caseinate), 3501.90.19 (Other caseinates and casein derivatives), 3501.90.20 (Casein glues).