Product classification
HS code for Wheat starch: 1108.11
Starch, wheat.
Classification of wheat starch under HS 1108.11
Wheat starch is classified under HS code 1108.11. This classification falls within Chapter 11, which covers products of the milling industry, malt, starches, inulin, and wheat gluten. Heading 1108 is the specific category for starches and inulin. Wheat starch is produced by separating the starch granules from the protein (gluten) and fiber components of the wheat kernel. This is typically achieved through a wet-milling process where the wheat is soaked and the starch is washed out. The resulting product is a fine, white powder used extensively in both food and industrial applications. Because the product is a primary starch that has not been chemically modified, esterified, or converted into a more complex substance like dextrin, it remains within the 1108 heading. Subheading 1108.11 provides the most specific designation for starch derived specifically from the wheat plant. The classification is strictly based on the botanical origin of the starch and its unmodified chemical state at the time of entry.
- Covers
- Native wheat starch
- Unmodified wheat starch powder
- Food-grade wheat starch
- Industrial-grade wheat starch
- Wheat starch used as a thickener
- Also under 1108.11
- MGP Ingredients Wheat Starch
- Roquette Wheat Starch
- Cargill Wheat Starch
- ADM Wheat Starch
Codes often confused with 1108.11
Common mistake. Wheat starch is often confused with wheat flour (1101.00); however, starch is a separated component while flour contains the whole endosperm. More critically, modified wheat starches (e.g., pre-gelatinized or etherified) are classified under 3505.10. If the product contains a high percentage of protein (gluten), it may be classified as wheat gluten under 1109.00. Corn starch (1108.12) and potato starch (1108.13) are also frequent points of confusion.
Top exporters and importers of HS 110811 (the code used for wheat starch), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 110811 (the code used for wheat starch) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, 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 110811, not only wheat starch.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $59M 16% of world exports
- 2 Australia $51M 14% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $50M 14% of world exports
World total: $365M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $120M 23% of world imports
- 2 France $60M 12% of world imports
- 3 Poland $38M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $517M 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 starch
Brazil classifies wheat starch under NCM 1108.11.00: HS 1108.11 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about wheat starch
What is the HS code for Wheat starch?
The HS code for Wheat starch is 110811 (Starch; wheat). The HS code for pure, unmodified wheat starch is 1108.11.
How do I classify Wheat starch for customs?
Wheat starch is classified under HS code 110811 — Starch; wheat. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is wheat gluten classified with wheat starch?
No, wheat gluten is classified separately under HS code 1109.00, even though they are often produced during the same milling process.
Which countries are the top exporters of wheat starch (HS 110811)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 110811 (the code used for wheat starch) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($59M, 16% of world exports), Australia ($51M) and the Netherlands ($50M). World exports came to about $365M, 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 starch (HS 110811)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 110811 (the code used for wheat starch) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($120M, 23% of world imports), France ($60M) and Poland ($38M). World imports came to about $517M, 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 starch the same in all countries?
The base HS code 110811 for Wheat 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 wheat starch in Brazil?
In Brazil, wheat starch (HS 110811) is classified under NCM 1108.11.00.