Product classification
HS code for Pearled barley: 1104.29
Cereal grains, worked, other than rolled or flaked (e.g. Hulled, pearled, sliced or kibbled) of cereals, excluding oats and maize, and rice of heading no.1006.
Classification of pearled barley under HS 1104.29
Pearled barley is classified under HS code 1104.29, which pertains to worked cereal grains. Chapter 11 of the Harmonized System covers products of the milling industry, malt, starches, and inulin. Heading 1104 specifically addresses cereal grains that have been worked beyond simple cleaning or husking but have not yet been turned into flour or meal. Pearling is a specific mechanical process where the outer husk and the bran layer are removed through abrasion, resulting in a smooth, rounded grain. While oats (1104.22) and maize (1104.23) have their own specific subheadings under 1104.2, barley falls into the residual category 1104.29 ("of other cereals"). This classification is crucial because it distinguishes processed grains used for food from whole grains found in Chapter 10. The degree of processing is the primary factor; if the barley were merely husked, it might remain in Chapter 10, but the pearling process definitively places it in 1104. The grains must retain their essential shape to be classified here; if they are ground into a fine powder, they would move to heading 1102. The pearling process typically involves the use of a pearler machine which uses abrasive stones to strip the grain. This mechanical change is what triggers the move from Chapter 10 to Chapter 11.
- Covers
- Pearled barley
- Hulled barley (worked)
- Pot barley
- Kibbled barley grains
- Sliced barley grains
- Also under 1104.29
- Bob's Red Mill Pearled Barley
- Arrowhead Mills Organic Buckwheat Groats
- Lundberg Family Farms Organic Pearled Farro
- Shiloh Farms Cracked Wheat
Codes often confused with 1104.29
Common mistake. Pearled barley is often confused with 1003.90, which is for unworked barley grains. It is also sometimes misclassified under 1104.19, which is reserved for rolled or flaked barley. Another common mistake is using 1103.19, which is for barley groats and meal; the distinction lies in the size and shape of the grain after processing. Finally, it should not be confused with 1104.22, which is specifically for oats.
Top exporters and importers of HS 110429 (the code used for pearled barley), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 110429 (the code used for pearled barley) in UN Comtrade data was Laos, with about 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Ghana, with 40% 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 110429, not only pearled barley.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Laos* ~$72M 19% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Russia* ~$54M 14% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 China $31M 8.0% of world exports
World total: $382M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Ghana $234M 40% of world imports
- 2 China $76M 13% of world imports
- 3 Germany $25M 4.3% of world imports
World total: $590M 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 pearled barley
Brazil classifies pearled barley under NCM 1104.29.00: HS 1104.29 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about pearled barley
What is the HS code for Pearled barley?
The HS code for Pearled barley is 110429 (Cereal grains; worked, other than rolled or flaked (e.g. Hulled, pearled, sliced or kibbled) of cereals, excluding oats and maize, and rice of heading no.1006). The HS code for pearled barley is 1104.29.
How do I classify Pearled barley for customs?
Pearled barley is classified under HS code 110429 — Cereal grains; worked, other than rolled or flaked (e.g. Hulled, pearled, sliced or kibbled) of cereals, excluding oats and maize, and rice of heading no.1006. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is pearled barley the same as flaked barley?
No, flaked barley is classified under 1104.19, while pearled barley is classified under 1104.29 due to the different mechanical processing involved.
Which countries are the top exporters of pearled barley (HS 110429)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 110429 (the code used for pearled barley) in UN Comtrade data were Laos (about $72M, 19% of world exports), Russia (about $54M) and China ($31M). World exports came to about $382M, 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 pearled barley (HS 110429)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 110429 (the code used for pearled barley) in UN Comtrade data were Ghana ($234M, 40% of world imports), China ($76M) and Germany ($25M). World imports came to about $590M, 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 Pearled barley the same in all countries?
The base HS code 110429 for Pearled barley 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 pearled barley in Brazil?
In Brazil, pearled barley (HS 110429) is classified under NCM 1104.29.00.