Product classification
HS code for Rice paper: 1905.90
Food preparations, bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa, communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products.
Classification of rice paper under HS 1905.90
Rice paper is classified under HS code 1905.90 because it is considered a baker's ware or a food preparation based on cereals or flour. Specifically, the edible rice paper used in Asian cuisine for spring rolls and dumplings is made from a mixture of rice flour, water, and sometimes tapioca starch. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1, classification is determined by the terms of the headings. Heading 1905 explicitly includes "rice papers" in its description. This classification applies to products that have been prepared through a process of steaming and drying, resulting in a thin, translucent sheet. It is important to distinguish this from industrial paper products; because this item is intended for human consumption and is derived from cereal flours, it belongs in Chapter 19 rather than the chapters dedicated to wood pulp or cellulose-based paper. The classification remains consistent regardless of whether the rice paper is sold in dry sheets or as part of a pre-prepared food item, provided the rice paper itself is the primary component being classified.
- Covers
- Edible rice paper sheets for spring rolls
- Banh trang (Vietnamese rice paper)
- Sealing wafers for food use
- Empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use made of rice starch
- Communion wafers
- Also under 1905.90
- Hostia (communion wafers)
- Obleas (empty cachets)
- Rice Paper Wrappers (for spring rolls)
- Matzo Crackers
- Mission Taco Shells
Codes often confused with 1905.90
Common mistake. Rice paper is frequently misclassified under HS code 4823, which covers other paper and paperboard. This error occurs because the term "paper" is used in the common name. However, Chapter 48 is reserved for products made from vegetable fibers or wood pulp, whereas edible rice paper is a cereal preparation. Another common error is using HS code 1902 for pasta products, but rice paper does not meet the definition of pasta as it is a finished baker's ware rather than an uncooked dough product.
Top exporters and importers of HS 190590 (the code used for rice paper), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 190590 (the code used for rice paper) in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 11% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% 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 190590, not only rice paper.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Canada $4.2B 11% of world exports
- 2 Germany $4.1B 11% of world exports
- 3 Italy $3.2B 8.4% of world exports
World total: $38.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $7.6B 19% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $3.4B 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Germany $3.0B 7.5% of world imports
World total: $40.4B 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 codes for rice paper
Brazil splits HS 1905.90 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 1905.90.10Tin loaf (sandwich) bread
- 1905.90.20Unsweetened crackers and biscuits
- 1905.90.90Other bread, pastry and bakers' wares
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about rice paper
What is the HS code for Rice paper?
The HS code for Rice paper is 190590 (Food preparations; bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products). The HS code for edible rice paper is 1905.90, which covers other bakers' wares and similar products.
How do I classify Rice paper for customs?
Rice paper is classified under HS code 190590 — Food preparations; bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is rice paper for crafts classified here?
No, rice paper used for calligraphy or decorative crafts, often made from the pith of the rice-paper plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer), is classified under Chapter 48 or 14, depending on its processing.
Which countries are the top exporters of rice paper (HS 190590)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 190590 (the code used for rice paper) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($4.2B, 11% of world exports), Germany ($4.1B) and Italy ($3.2B). World exports came to about $38.5B, 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 rice paper (HS 190590)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 190590 (the code used for rice paper) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($7.6B, 19% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($3.4B) and Germany ($3.0B). World imports came to about $40.4B, 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.
Is the HS code for Rice paper the same in all countries?
The base HS code 190590 for Rice paper 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 rice paper in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 190590 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for rice paper depends on the product's details: 1905.90.10 (Tin loaf (sandwich) bread), 1905.90.20 (Unsweetened crackers and biscuits), 1905.90.90 (Other bread, pastry and bakers' wares).