Product classification
HS code for Tapioca: 1903.00
Food preparations, tapioca and substitutes thereof, prepared from starch in the form of flakes, grains, pearls, siftings or similar.
Classification of tapioca under HS 1903.00
Tapioca and substitutes prepared from starch, in the form of flakes, grains, pearls, siftings, or similar forms, are classified under HS code 1903.00. This code belongs to Chapter 19, which covers preparations of cereals, flour, starch, or milk. The classification applies to starch that has been partially cooked or heat-treated to form specific shapes, such as the well-known pearls used in bubble tea. Unlike raw starch, which is a simple extract, products under 1903.00 have undergone a transformation process that changes their physical structure and culinary application, moving them from a raw commodity to a food preparation.
- Covers
- Tapioca pearls (boba)
- Tapioca flakes
- Cassava starch pearls
- Sago pearls
- Tapioca siftings and grains
- Also under 1903.00
- Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Pearls
- Erawan Tapioca Starch
- Sago Palm Pearls
- Minute Tapioca
Codes often confused with 1903.00
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 1108.14, which covers raw manioc (cassava) starch. The difference is that 1108.14 is for the raw, powdery starch, while 1903.00 is for starch that has been processed into agglomerated forms like pearls or flakes. Another common error is using 0714.10, which is for the fresh, chilled, or dried cassava roots themselves. If the product is a finished pudding or a flavored dessert, it might be classified under 2106.90 instead of 1903.00.
Top exporters and importers of HS 190300 (the code used for tapioca), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 190300 (the code used for tapioca) in UN Comtrade data was Taiwan, with about 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% 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 190300, not only tapioca.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Taiwan* ~$61M 34% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Thailand $34M 19% of world exports
- 3 China $25M 14% of world exports
World total: $180M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $47M 24% of world imports
- 2 Canada $9.8M 4.9% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $9.7M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $200M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 tapioca
Brazil classifies tapioca under NCM 1903.00.00: HS 1903.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about tapioca
What is the HS code for Tapioca?
The HS code for Tapioca is 190300 (Food preparations; tapioca and substitutes thereof, prepared from starch in the form of flakes, grains, pearls, siftings or similar).
How do I classify Tapioca for customs?
Tapioca is classified under HS code 190300 — Food preparations; tapioca and substitutes thereof, prepared from starch in the form of flakes, grains, pearls, siftings or similar. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for tapioca pearls?
Tapioca pearls, commonly used in desserts and drinks, are classified under HS code 1903.00.
Is cassava flour the same as tapioca under this code?
No, cassava flour is typically classified under 1106.20; 1903.00 is specifically for starch prepared into pearls, flakes, or grains.
Which countries are the top exporters of tapioca (HS 190300)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 190300 (the code used for tapioca) in UN Comtrade data were Taiwan (about $61M, 34% of world exports), Thailand ($34M) and China ($25M). World exports came to about $180M, 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 tapioca (HS 190300)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 190300 (the code used for tapioca) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($47M, 24% of world imports), Canada ($9.8M) and South Korea ($9.7M). World imports came to about $200M, 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 Tapioca the same in all countries?
The base HS code 190300 for Tapioca 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 tapioca in Brazil?
In Brazil, tapioca (HS 190300) is classified under NCM 1903.00.00.