Product classification
HS code for Food starch: 3505.10
Dextrins and other modified starches.
Classification of food starch under HS 3505.10
Food starch is classified under HS code 3505.10 when it has undergone specific chemical or physical modifications to alter its functional properties. This heading specifically covers dextrins and other modified starches, such as those that have been etherified, esterified, or oxidized. The classification is determined by the transformation of the native starch to enhance its performance as a thickener, stabilizer, or emulsifier. If the starch remains in its natural, untreated state, it is typically classified under Chapter 11. However, once the starch is treated with heat, chemicals, or enzymes to create products like pregelatinized starch or thin-boiling starch, it moves to 3505.10. This distinction is critical because modified starches are treated as chemical products rather than basic agricultural commodities. The modification process must be significant enough to change the molecular structure or the physical behavior of the starch in water, such as its solubility or viscosity profile. This code is essential for the food processing industry, where modified starches are used extensively in sauces, frozen foods, and confectionery to ensure texture stability during storage and cooking.
- Covers
- Pregelatinized food starch
- Esterified starches (e.g., starch acetates)
- Etherified starches (e.g., hydroxypropyl starch)
- Oxidized starches used in food applications
- Dextrins produced by heat or chemical treatment
- Acid-treated or alkali-treated starches
- Also under 3505.10
- Ingredion modified starches
- Cargill C*Gel
- Tate & Lyle PROMITOR
- Roquette modified starches
- Avebe modified starches
Codes often confused with 3505.10
Common mistake. The most frequent error is classifying modified food starch under HS code 1108.11 through 1108.19. These codes are reserved for native starches (like corn, wheat, or potato starch) that have not been chemically or physically altered. Another common mistake involves HS code 3809, which covers finishing agents used in the textile or paper industry; however, if the starch is intended for food use and is modified, 3505.10 remains the primary classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS 350510 (the code used for food starch), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 350510 (the code used for food starch) in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 9.4% 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 350510, not only food starch.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Thailand $883M 20% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $751M 17% of world exports
- 3 Germany $528M 12% of world exports
World total: $4.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $471M 9.4% of world imports
- 2 Germany $437M 8.7% of world imports
- 3 Japan $403M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $5.0B 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 food starch
Brazil classifies food starch under NCM 3505.10.00: HS 3505.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about food starch
What is the HS code for Food starch?
The HS code for Food starch is 350510 (Dextrins and other modified starches). The HS code for modified food starch is 3505.10. If the starch is native and unmodified, it is classified under heading 1108, with the specific subheading depending on the source material (e.g., 1108.12 for maize starch).
How do I classify Food starch for customs?
Food starch is classified under HS code 350510 — Dextrins and other modified starches. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How do I distinguish between native and modified starch for customs?
Native starch is obtained by simple extraction without chemical change. Modified starch (3505.10) has been subjected to processes like pregelatinization or chemical reaction to change its properties, which must be documented in the technical data sheet.
Which countries are the top exporters of food starch (HS 350510)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 350510 (the code used for food starch) in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($883M, 20% of world exports), the Netherlands ($751M) and Germany ($528M). World exports came to about $4.4B, 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 food starch (HS 350510)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 350510 (the code used for food starch) in UN Comtrade data were China ($471M, 9.4% of world imports), Germany ($437M) and Japan ($403M). World imports came to about $5.0B, 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 Food starch the same in all countries?
The base HS code 350510 for Food 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 food starch in Brazil?
In Brazil, food starch (HS 350510) is classified under NCM 3505.10.00.