Product classification

HS code for Modified starch: 3505.10

Dextrins and other modified starches.

Classification of modified starch under HS 3505.10

Modified starches are classified under HS code 3505.10, which specifically covers dextrins and other starches that have been chemically or physically altered to change their functional properties. Unlike pure starches found in Chapter 11, which are obtained through simple extraction and remain in their natural state, modified starches in Chapter 35 have undergone treatments such as esterification, etherification, or oxidation. The Explanatory Notes for heading 35.05 clarify that this includes starches transformed by the action of heat, chemicals, or enzymes. This classification is essential for distinguishing between basic food ingredients and functional polymers used in industrial applications. The modification process is designed to enhance the starch's stability under different temperatures, increase its binding strength, or alter its viscosity. Common modifications include the creation of acid-thinned starch or oxidized starch used in the paper and textile industries. Because these products have been significantly altered from their original botanical state, they are removed from the agricultural categories of Chapter 11 and placed into the chemical-based categories of Chapter 35.

Covers
  • Dextrins (white and yellow)
  • Acetylated distarch adipate
  • Oxidized starches for paper coating
  • Etherified or esterified starches
  • Acid-treated or alkali-treated starches
  • Bleached 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. Modified starch is most commonly misclassified under HS code 11.08, which is reserved for native or pure starches. The primary difference is the degree of processing; once a starch is chemically modified or converted into dextrin, it must move to 35.05. Another common error is classification under 38.09, which covers finishing agents used in the textile or paper industry. While modified starches are used in these industries, they remain specifically named in 35.05 unless they are mixed with other substances to form a multi-component finishing preparation.

Top exporters and importers of HS 350510 (the code used for modified starch), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 350510 (the code used for modified 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 modified starch.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Thailand $883M
  2. 2 Netherlands $751M
  3. 3 Germany $528M

World total: $4.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $471M
  2. 2 Germany $437M
  3. 3 Japan $403M

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 modified starch

Brazil classifies modified 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 modified starch

What is the HS code for Modified starch?

The HS code for Modified starch is 350510 (Dextrins and other modified starches). The HS code for modified starch, including dextrins and chemically altered starches, is 3505.10.

How do I classify Modified starch for customs?

Modified starch is classified under HS code 350510 — Dextrins and other modified starches. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is pregelatinized starch classified under 3505.10?

Yes, pregelatinized starch is generally classified under 3505.10 because the process of pregelatinization involves heat treatment that modifies the starch's solubility and viscosity properties.

Which countries are the top exporters of modified starch (HS 350510)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 350510 (the code used for modified 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 modified starch (HS 350510)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 350510 (the code used for modified 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 Modified starch the same in all countries?

The base HS code 350510 for Modified 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 modified starch in Brazil?

In Brazil, modified starch (HS 350510) is classified under NCM 3505.10.00.