Product classification
HS code for Polenta: 1103.13
Cereal groats and meal, of maize (corn).
Classification of polenta under HS 1103.13
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.
- Covers
- Coarse yellow cornmeal
- White cornmeal for polenta
- Degerminated maize meal
- Non-degerminated maize groats
- Bramata polenta (coarse grind)
- Also under 1103.13
- Quaker Corn Meal
- Maseca Masa Harina
- Bob's Red Mill Polenta
- Goya Hominy Grits
Codes often confused with 1103.13
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS 110313 (the code used for polenta), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 110313 (the code used for polenta) in UN Comtrade data was South Africa, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the DR Congo, with about 18% 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 110313, not only polenta.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 South Africa $160M 25% of world exports
- 2 United States $104M 16% of world exports
- 3 Türkiye $57M 8.8% of world exports
World total: $646M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 DR Congo* ~$104M 18% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 United Kingdom $28M 5.0% of world imports
- 3 Iraq* ~$19M 3.4% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $563M 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 polenta
Brazil classifies polenta under NCM 1103.13.00: HS 1103.13 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about polenta
What is the HS code for Polenta?
The HS code for Polenta is 110313 (Cereal groats and meal; of maize (corn)). The standard HS code for raw, milled polenta (maize meal) is 1103.13.
How do I classify Polenta for customs?
Polenta is classified under HS code 110313 — Cereal groats and meal; of maize (corn). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
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.
Which countries are the top exporters of polenta (HS 110313)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 110313 (the code used for polenta) in UN Comtrade data were South Africa ($160M, 25% of world exports), the United States ($104M) and Türkiye ($57M). World exports came to about $646M, 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 polenta (HS 110313)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 110313 (the code used for polenta) in UN Comtrade data were the DR Congo (about $104M, 18% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($28M) and Iraq (about $19M). World imports came to about $563M, 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 Polenta the same in all countries?
The base HS code 110313 for Polenta 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 polenta in Brazil?
In Brazil, polenta (HS 110313) is classified under NCM 1103.13.00.