HS Code for Polenta

Polenta is classified under HS code 1103.13, which covers cereal groats and meal of maize (corn). The classification is determined by the degree of milling and the particle size of the corn. Chapter 11 is dedicated to products of the milling industry, and heading 1103 specifically addresses grains that have been broken or ground into coarse particles known as groats or meal. For a product to be classified as maize meal under 1103.13, it must generally meet sifting requirements where a high percentage (usually 95% or more) passes through a specific mesh size (2 mm). Polenta, being a coarse cornmeal used for cooking, fits perfectly into this category as long as it is raw and has not been further processed into a prepared food item.

Products Included

• Coarse yellow cornmeal
• White cornmeal for polenta
• Degerminated maize meal
• Non-degerminated maize groats
• Bramata polenta (coarse grind)

Common Misclassification

Polenta is often misclassified under HS code 1102.20, which is for maize flour. The distinction lies in the texture; flour is ground much finer than meal or groats. If the product is too fine to meet the 1103 sifting standards, it must be classified as flour. Another common error is using HS code 1904.90 for pre-cooked or "instant" polenta. If the polenta has been steamed, pre-cooked, or otherwise prepared so that it only requires reheating, it leaves Chapter 11 and enters Chapter 19, which covers prepared cereal products.

FAQ

What is the HS code for Polenta?

The standard HS code for raw, milled polenta (maize meal) is 1103.13.

Is organic polenta classified differently?

No, the HS code 1103.13 applies to both organic and conventional maize meal. The classification is based on the physical nature of the grain and the milling process, not the farming method.