Product classification
HS code for Starch: 3913.90
Polymers, natural and modified natural, in primary forms (excluding alginic acid, its salts and esters).
Classification of starch under HS 3913.90
Starch, when classified as a natural polymer in primary forms, falls under HS code 3913.90. While many food-grade starches are found in Chapter 11, heading 3913 is reserved for natural polymers and modified natural polymers that are not elsewhere specified or included. This classification typically applies to starches that have been chemically modified or are presented in 'primary forms' as defined by Note 6 to Chapter 39. Primary forms include liquids and pastes, blocks of irregular shape, lumps, powders, granules, and flakes. The classification under 3913.90 is often used for specialized industrial starches, such as amylopectin or certain hardened proteins, which serve as raw materials for the plastics or adhesives industries. The General Rules of Interpretation require that if a product is a polymer in a primary form and is not specifically named in other chapters (like 3505 for dextrins), it must be placed in the residual category of the plastics chapter. This ensures that chemically complex natural substances used in industrial manufacturing are consistently categorized based on their chemical structure as polymers.
- Covers
- Amylopectin in primary forms
- Modified natural polymers (other than alginic acid)
- Hardened proteins in primary forms
- Chemical derivatives of natural starch for industrial use
- Natural polymers in granules or powders
- Also under 3913.90
- Kitozyme Chitosan
- Pharmacosmos Dextran
- CP Kelco Gellan Gum
- Cargill Xanthan Gum
- Ingredion Modified Starch
Codes often confused with 3913.90
Common mistake. Starch is most commonly misclassified under HS code 1108.12 (maize starch) or 1108.13 (potato starch), which are for unmodified food starches. It is also often confused with 3505.10, which covers dextrins and other modified starches used as glues. The distinction lies in the degree of chemical modification and the intended industrial application as a polymer resin.
Top exporters and importers of HS 391390 (the code used for starch), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 391390 (the code used for starch) in UN Comtrade data was Sweden, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 12% 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 391390, not only starch.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Sweden $1.1B 32% of world exports
- 2 China $803M 23% of world exports
- 3 United States $344M 9.8% of world exports
World total: $3.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $412M 12% of world imports
- 2 United States $388M 11% of world imports
- 3 Japan $240M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $3.6B 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 starch
Brazil splits HS 3913.90 into 9 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3913.90.11Chlorinated/hydrochlorinated rubber, bulk forms
- 3913.90.12Chlorinated rubber in other forms
- 3913.90.19Other chemical derivatives of natural rubber
- 3913.90.20Xanthan gum
- 3913.90.30Dextran
- 3913.90.40Hardened proteins
- 3913.90.50Chitosan, its salts or derivatives
- 3913.90.60Chondroitin sulphate
- 3913.90.90Other natural or modified natural polymers
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about starch
What is the HS code for Starch?
The HS code for Starch is 391390 (Polymers, natural and modified natural; in primary forms (excluding alginic acid, its salts and esters)).
How do I classify Starch for customs?
Starch is classified under HS code 391390 — Polymers, natural and modified natural; in primary forms (excluding alginic acid, its salts and esters). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for starch (as a polymer)?
When treated as a natural polymer in primary forms, the HS code is 3913.90.
How does 3913.90 differ from Chapter 11 starch?
Chapter 11 covers basic agricultural starch, while 3913.90 covers starches that are chemically treated or categorized as industrial natural polymers.
Which countries are the top exporters of starch (HS 391390)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 391390 (the code used for starch) in UN Comtrade data were Sweden ($1.1B, 32% of world exports), China ($803M) and the United States ($344M). World exports came to about $3.5B, 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 starch (HS 391390)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 391390 (the code used for starch) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($412M, 12% of world imports), the United States ($388M) and Japan ($240M). World imports came to about $3.6B, 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 Starch the same in all countries?
The base HS code 391390 for 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 starch in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 391390 into 9 NCM codes, so the right one for starch depends on the product's details: 3913.90.11 (Chlorinated/hydrochlorinated rubber, bulk forms), 3913.90.12 (Chlorinated rubber in other forms), 3913.90.19 (Other chemical derivatives of natural rubber), 3913.90.20 (Xanthan gum), 3913.90.30 (Dextran), 3913.90.40 (Hardened proteins), and more.