Product classification
HS code for Rice starch: 1108.19
Starch, n.e.c. in item no. 1108.11 to 1108.14.
Classification of rice starch under HS 1108.19
Rice starch is classified under HS code 1108.19 because it is a starch derived from a cereal (rice) but is not specifically named in the preceding subheadings of 1108.11 through 1108.14, which cover wheat, maize, potato, and manioc starches respectively. Chapter 11 of the Harmonized System pertains to products of the milling industry, malt, starches, inulin, and wheat gluten. To remain within this classification, the rice starch must be in its primary form, typically obtained through a process of steeping, milling, and separation. If the starch has been significantly modified through chemical processes such as etherification or esterification, or if it has been pre-gelatinized, it may shift to Chapter 35. However, standard food-grade or industrial-grade rice starch used for thickening, binding, or as a carrier remains under 1108.19. The classification relies on the botanical origin and the level of processing, ensuring that "other" starches not explicitly listed elsewhere are captured here. The purity of the starch is also a factor; it must generally contain very low levels of protein and fiber to be distinguished from rice flour, which contains more of the whole grain components.
- Covers
- Pure rice starch powder
- Food-grade rice starch for thickening
- Industrial rice starch for paper coating
- Pharmaceutical grade rice starch used as an excipient
- Waxy rice starch
- Also under 1108.19
- Remyline Rice Starch
- Avebe Pea Starch
- Tate & Lyle Specialty Starches
- Roquette Pea Starch
Codes often confused with 1108.19
Common mistake. Rice starch is frequently confused with maize starch (1108.12) or potato starch (1108.13) due to their similar appearance and functional properties in food manufacturing. However, the HS system requires classification based on the specific botanical source. Another common error is misclassifying rice starch as rice flour under 1102.90. The distinction lies in the production process: flour is produced by simple milling, while starch is extracted through a more complex process to isolate the amylose and amylopectin. Furthermore, chemically modified starches, such as acetylated or hydroxypropylated rice starch, must be classified under 3505.10, as they are considered products of the chemical industry rather than the milling industry. Finally, tapioca substitutes prepared from starch are found in 1903.00.
Top exporters and importers of HS 110819 (the code used for rice starch), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 110819 (the code used for rice starch) in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% 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 110819, not only rice starch.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Belgium $84M 30% of world exports
- 2 China $50M 18% of world exports
- 3 Canada $24M 8.8% of world exports
World total: $277M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $59M 17% of world imports
- 2 Czechia $34M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $27M 7.7% of world imports
World total: $351M 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 rice starch
Brazil classifies rice starch under NCM 1108.19.00: HS 1108.19 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about rice starch
What is the HS code for Rice starch?
The HS code for Rice starch is 110819 (Starch; n.e.c. in item no. 1108.11 to 1108.14). The HS code for rice starch is 1108.19, which covers starches not elsewhere specified.
How do I classify Rice starch for customs?
Rice starch is classified under HS code 110819 — Starch; n.e.c. in item no. 1108.11 to 1108.14. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How does rice starch differ from rice flour in the HS system?
Rice flour is classified under 1102.90 as a product of milling the whole grain, whereas rice starch (1108.19) is a refined substance where the starch has been separated from the proteins and fibers of the rice grain.
Which countries are the top exporters of rice starch (HS 110819)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 110819 (the code used for rice starch) in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($84M, 30% of world exports), China ($50M) and Canada ($24M). World exports came to about $277M, 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 starch (HS 110819)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 110819 (the code used for rice starch) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($59M, 17% of world imports), Czechia ($34M) and South Korea ($27M). World imports came to about $351M, 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 starch the same in all countries?
The base HS code 110819 for Rice 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 rice starch in Brazil?
In Brazil, rice starch (HS 110819) is classified under NCM 1108.19.00.