Product classification
HS code for Cereal pellets: 1103.20
Cereal pellets.
Classification of cereal pellets under HS 1103.20
HS code 1103.20 covers cereal pellets, which are products of the milling industry. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, pellets are defined as products which have been agglomerated either directly by compression or by the addition of a binder in a proportion not exceeding 3% by weight. This classification is strictly for products that have not been further prepared for immediate consumption as food. They are typically intermediate products used in the food processing industry or for specific industrial applications. The classification depends on the cereal type (wheat, rye, barley, etc.) and the physical form (pelletized). It is essential to distinguish these from pellets used for animal feed, which are classified based on their nutritional composition and intended use in Chapter 23. The 3% binder rule is a strict threshold; exceeding this limit or adding ingredients that change the character of the product to a food preparation will result in a shift to Chapter 19. For customs purposes, the product must retain the essential character of a milling product, meaning it is essentially ground or broken grain that has been reshaped for easier handling or transport.
- Covers
- Wheat pellets for industrial processing
- Barley pellets (non-fodder)
- Maize (corn) pellets
- Rye pellets
- Oat pellets
- Also under 1103.20
- Purina Animal Nutrition Feed Pellets
- Cargill Feed Pellets
- ADM Animal Nutrition Pellets
- Blue Seal Feeds Pellets
Codes often confused with 1103.20
Common mistake. Cereal pellets are often confused with HS code 2309.90, which covers preparations of a kind used in animal feeding. If the pellets contain additives specifically for nutritional supplementation for livestock, they must be moved to Chapter 23. Additionally, they may be confused with 1904.10 if they are puffed or roasted for use as snacks.
Top exporters and importers of HS 110320 (the code used for cereal pellets), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 110320 (the code used for cereal pellets) in UN Comtrade data was Ireland, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 27% 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 110320, not only cereal pellets.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Ireland $19M 27% of world exports
- 2 Spain $15M 21% of world exports
- 3 Hungary $7.9M 11% of world exports
World total: $69M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $27M 27% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $13M 13% of world imports
- 3 Czechia $6.3M 6.3% of world imports
World total: $100M 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 cereal pellets
Brazil classifies cereal pellets under NCM 1103.20.00: HS 1103.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cereal pellets
What is the HS code for Cereal pellets?
The HS code for Cereal pellets is 110320 (Cereal pellets). Cereal pellets intended for human consumption or industrial use (not animal feed) are classified under HS code 1103.20.
How do I classify Cereal pellets for customs?
Cereal pellets is classified under HS code 110320 — Cereal pellets. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the maximum binder allowed in 1103.20?
To remain in Chapter 11, the pellets must not contain more than 3% by weight of added binder, such as starch or molasses.
Which countries are the top exporters of cereal pellets (HS 110320)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 110320 (the code used for cereal pellets) in UN Comtrade data were Ireland ($19M, 27% of world exports), Spain ($15M) and Hungary ($7.9M). World exports came to about $69M, 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 cereal pellets (HS 110320)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 110320 (the code used for cereal pellets) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($27M, 27% of world imports), the Netherlands ($13M) and Czechia ($6.3M). World imports came to about $100M, 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 Cereal pellets the same in all countries?
The base HS code 110320 for Cereal pellets 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 cereal pellets in Brazil?
In Brazil, cereal pellets (HS 110320) is classified under NCM 1103.20.00.