Product classification
HS code for Wheat gluten: 1109.00
Wheat gluten, whether or not dried.
Classification of wheat gluten under HS 1109.00
Wheat gluten is classified under HS code 1109.00, which is situated within Chapter 11 of the Harmonized System. This chapter encompasses products of the milling industry, including starches and inulin. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 1, classification is determined by the terms of the headings. Heading 1109 specifically identifies wheat gluten as a distinct product. Wheat gluten is a protein substance obtained by the extraction of starch from wheat flour through a washing process. It is primarily composed of gliadin and glutenin. The classification applies regardless of whether the gluten is in a wet state or has been dried into a powder, often referred to as vital wheat gluten. The essential character of the product as a plant-based protein derived specifically from wheat dictates its placement here rather than in chapters dedicated to miscellaneous food preparations or isolated proteins. The HS code 1109.00 is a single-level heading, meaning it does not have further sub-divisions for different types of wheat gluten, making it the universal code for this specific cereal protein.
- Covers
- Vital wheat gluten powder
- Devitalized wheat gluten
- Wet wheat gluten (undried)
- Wheat gluten for use as a meat substitute base (seitan)
- Wheat gluten used as a flour fortifier
- Also under 1109.00
- Bob's Red Mill Vital Wheat Gluten
- MGP Ingredients Wheat Gluten
- ADM Wheat Gluten
- Roquette Wheat Gluten
Codes often confused with 1109.00
Common mistake. Wheat gluten is frequently confused with wheat flour (HS code 1101.00). While flour contains gluten, 1109.00 is reserved for the isolated protein after starch removal. It is also sometimes misclassified under HS code 3504.00, which covers peptones and other protein substances. However, because wheat gluten is specifically named in Chapter 11, Note 1 to Chapter 35 excludes it from that chapter. Additionally, preparations for animal feed containing gluten may be classified under 2309.90 if they are not pure gluten.
Top exporters and importers of HS 110900 (the code used for wheat gluten), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 110900 (the code used for wheat gluten) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Norway, with 23% 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 110900, not only wheat gluten.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $378M 22% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $289M 17% of world exports
- 3 Germany $242M 14% of world exports
World total: $1.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Norway $416M 23% of world imports
- 2 United States $286M 16% of world imports
- 3 France $115M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $1.8B 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 wheat gluten
Brazil classifies wheat gluten under NCM 1109.00.00: HS 1109.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about wheat gluten
What is the HS code for Wheat gluten?
The HS code for Wheat gluten is 110900 (Wheat gluten; whether or not dried). The HS code for wheat gluten, whether dried or wet, is 1109.00.
How do I classify Wheat gluten for customs?
Wheat gluten is classified under HS code 110900 — Wheat gluten; whether or not dried. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the HS code change if the gluten is for industrial use?
No, the classification 1109.00 applies to wheat gluten based on its chemical composition and origin, regardless of whether it is intended for food, feed, or industrial applications.
Which countries are the top exporters of wheat gluten (HS 110900)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 110900 (the code used for wheat gluten) in UN Comtrade data were China ($378M, 22% of world exports), Belgium ($289M) and Germany ($242M). World exports came to about $1.7B, 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 wheat gluten (HS 110900)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 110900 (the code used for wheat gluten) in UN Comtrade data were Norway ($416M, 23% of world imports), the United States ($286M) and France ($115M). World imports came to about $1.8B, 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 Wheat gluten the same in all countries?
The base HS code 110900 for Wheat gluten 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 wheat gluten in Brazil?
In Brazil, wheat gluten (HS 110900) is classified under NCM 1109.00.00.