Product classification
HS code for Distilling waste: 2303.30
Brewing or distilling dregs and waste, whether or not in the form of pellets.
Classification of distilling waste under HS 2303.30
Distilling waste, commonly known as dregs or spent grains, is classified under HS code 2303.30. This classification falls within Chapter 23, which covers residues and waste from the food industries and prepared animal fodder. Heading 2303 specifically includes residues of starch manufacture, beet-pulp, bagasse, and other waste of sugar manufacture, as well as brewing or distilling dregs and waste. These materials are the organic byproducts remaining after the fermentation and distillation of grains, fruits, or other vegetable products during the production of spirits, ethanol, or beer. The classification is based on the origin of the waste and its status as a byproduct of the distilling process. It applies regardless of whether the waste is in a wet, slurry form or has been dried and processed into pellets or meal for easier handling. These residues are highly valued in the agricultural sector as a high-protein component for animal feed, but their classification remains in 2303.30 as long as they have not been mixed with other materials to form a complete prepared feed.
- Covers
- Distillers' dried grains (DDG)
- Distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS)
- Spent grain dregs from whiskey production
- Pot ale or distillery spent wash
- Brewing dregs and waste
- Also under 2303.30
- AB InBev Spent Grains
- Diageo Distillers' Grains
- Anheuser-Busch InBev DDGS
- MillerCoors Brewers' Waste
- Pernod Ricard Distillery By-products
Codes often confused with 2303.30
Common mistake. Distilling waste is sometimes misclassified under HS code 2302, which covers bran, sharps, and other residues from the sifting or milling of cereals. While both are agricultural byproducts, 2302 is for milling residues, whereas 2303.30 is specifically for residues from the fermentation and distillation process. Another common error is classifying these products under 2309, which covers "preparations of a kind used in animal feeding." If the distilling waste is pure and unmixed, it belongs in 2303.30; it only moves to 2309 if it has been further processed or mixed with other nutrients to create a balanced animal diet.
Top exporters and importers of HS 230330 (the code used for distilling waste), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 230330 (the code used for distilling waste) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 80% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 13% 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 230330, not only distilling waste.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $2.8B 80% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $128M 3.7% of world exports
- 3 India $123M 3.6% of world exports
World total: $3.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Mexico $469M 13% of world imports
- 2 Türkiye $375M 11% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$331M 9.3% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $3.5B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 distilling waste
Brazil classifies distilling waste under NCM 2303.30.00: HS 2303.30 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about distilling waste
What is the HS code for Distilling waste?
The HS code for Distilling waste is 230330 (Brewing or distilling dregs and waste; whether or not in the form of pellets). The HS code for brewing or distilling dregs and waste, including spent grains, is 2303.30.
How do I classify Distilling waste for customs?
Distilling waste is classified under HS code 230330 — Brewing or distilling dregs and waste; whether or not in the form of pellets. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can distilling waste be imported as animal feed?
Yes, distilling waste is frequently used as animal feed, but it is classified under 2303.30 as a residue rather than 2309, provided it is not a complex prepared mixture.
Which countries are the top exporters of distilling waste (HS 230330)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 230330 (the code used for distilling waste) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.8B, 80% of world exports), the Netherlands ($128M) and India ($123M). World exports came to about $3.5B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of distilling waste (HS 230330)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 230330 (the code used for distilling waste) in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($469M, 13% of world imports), Türkiye ($375M) and Vietnam (about $331M). World imports came to about $3.5B, 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 Distilling waste the same in all countries?
The base HS code 230330 for Distilling waste 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 distilling waste in Brazil?
In Brazil, distilling waste (HS 230330) is classified under NCM 2303.30.00.