Product classification

HS code for Corn starch: 1108.12

Starch, maize (corn) starch.

Classification of corn starch under HS 1108.12

Corn starch is classified under HS code 1108.12. This code is part of Chapter 11, which encompasses products of the milling industry, including starches and inulin. Heading 1108 is dedicated to starches, and the subheading 1108.12 specifically identifies maize (corn) starch. The classification depends on the purity and the processing of the product. Native corn starch, obtained through the physical separation of the starch granules from the corn kernel (usually through a wet-milling process), remains strictly within 1108.12. This classification applies to starch in its dry, powdered form. It is important to note that corn starch used in pharmaceutical applications or as a binder in non-food industries still typically falls under this code unless it has been further processed into a specific chemical derivative. The Harmonized System requires that the product retains its essential character as a starch without chemical modification to remain in Chapter 11. If the starch has been pre-gelatinized or otherwise modified, it must be moved to a different chapter entirely.

Covers
  • Native maize (corn) starch
  • Food-grade corn starch powder
  • Industrial-grade corn starch for paper sizing
  • Corn starch used as a thickener in culinary applications
  • Unmodified corn starch for pharmaceutical excipients
Also under 1108.12
  • Argo Corn Starch
  • Maizena Corn Starch
  • Bob's Red Mill Corn Starch
  • National Starch (Ingredion) Corn Starch

Codes often confused with 1108.12

Common mistake. Corn starch is often misclassified under HS code 3505.10, which covers dextrins and other modified starches. If the starch has been esterified, etherified, or chemically treated to change its properties, it belongs in 3505.10. Another error is using HS code 1901.90 for food preparations; however, pure corn starch is considered a raw material of the milling industry rather than a prepared food product. Distinguishing between native and modified starch is critical for correct duty application.

3505.10Dextrins and other modified starches1901.90Food preparations; of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses n.e.c. in heading no. 1901

Top exporters and importers of HS 110812 (the code used for corn starch), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 110812 (the code used for corn starch) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 7.8% 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 110812, not only corn starch.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $157M
  2. 2 India $134M
  3. 3 Türkiye $101M

World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $114M
  2. 2 France $97M
  3. 3 Mexico $95M

World total: $1.5B 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.

Brazil NCM code for corn starch

Brazil classifies corn starch under NCM 1108.12.00: HS 1108.12 with 00 added.

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

Questions about corn starch

What is the HS code for Corn starch?

The HS code for Corn starch is 110812 (Starch; maize (corn) starch). The HS code for native, unmodified corn starch is 1108.12.

How do I classify Corn starch for customs?

Corn starch is classified under HS code 110812 — Starch; maize (corn) starch. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is corn starch the same as corn flour in HS classification?

No, corn flour is classified under HS code 1102.20. Corn starch (1108.12) is the extracted carbohydrate, while corn flour contains proteins and fibers from the whole kernel.

Which countries are the top exporters of corn starch (HS 110812)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 110812 (the code used for corn starch) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($157M, 12% of world exports), India ($134M) and Türkiye ($101M). World exports 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.

Which countries are the top importers of corn starch (HS 110812)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 110812 (the code used for corn starch) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($114M, 7.8% of world imports), France ($97M) and Mexico ($95M). World imports came to about $1.5B, 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.

Is the HS code for Corn starch the same in all countries?

The base HS code 110812 for Corn starch 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 corn starch in Brazil?

In Brazil, corn starch (HS 110812) is classified under NCM 1108.12.00.