Chapter 11 covers 'Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten', including flours, groats, meal and pellets made from various cereals by milling or processing, as well as starch, gluten and other products. Products of this chapter are generally obtained by further processing of cereals of Chapter 10, but exclude baked goods, pastry and other food preparations of Chapter 19. Heading 1102 is 'Cereal flours other than of wheat or meslin (rye)', covering flours obtained by milling cereals such as maize (corn), rice, barley, oats and sorghum. It is further subdivided by cereal type: 1102.20 for maize (corn) flour, 1102.30 for rice flour, and 1102.90 for other cereal flours. Code 110220 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits '11' represent Chapter 11, Products of the milling industry; digits 3-4 '02' represent heading 1102, cereal flours other than of wheat or meslin; digits 5-6 '20' represent the subheading for maize (corn) flour. Therefore, 110220 specifically refers to flour obtained by milling maize (corn), distinct from wheat flour (1101) and rice flour (110230). Maize (corn) flour is obtained by milling maize (corn) of Chapter 10 without further processing, meeting the definition of milling products of Chapter 11. Since maize is neither wheat nor meslin, it is not classified under 1101; since it is a single cereal variety (maize), it is not classified under 110290 for other cereal flours.
Chapter
Chapter 11 covers 'Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten', including flours, groats, meal and pellets made from various cereals by milling or processing, as well as starch, gluten and other products. Products of this chapter are generally obtained by further processing of cereals of Chapter 10, but exclude baked goods, pastry and other food preparations of Chapter 19.
Heading
Heading 1102 is 'Cereal flours other than of wheat or meslin (rye)', covering flours obtained by milling cereals such as maize (corn), rice, barley, oats and sorghum. It is further subdivided by cereal type: 1102.20 for maize (corn) flour, 1102.30 for rice flour, and 1102.90 for other cereal flours.
Digit Breakdown
Code 110220 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits '11' represent Chapter 11, Products of the milling industry; digits 3-4 '02' represent heading 1102, cereal flours other than of wheat or meslin; digits 5-6 '20' represent the subheading for maize (corn) flour. Therefore, 110220 specifically refers to flour obtained by milling maize (corn), distinct from wheat flour (1101) and rice flour (110230).
Classification Basis
Maize (corn) flour is obtained by milling maize (corn) of Chapter 10 without further processing, meeting the definition of milling products of Chapter 11. Since maize is neither wheat nor meslin, it is not classified under 1101; since it is a single cereal variety (maize), it is not classified under 110290 for other cereal flours.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, using standardized Chinese and English commodity names, such as '玉米粉' or 'Corn flour'. Composition/Content: Indicate the purity, moisture, ash, protein and other main composition indicators of the corn flour, and whether additives are contained. Processing Method: Describe the processing technique of the corn flour, such as milling, crushing, sieving, and whether it has undergone gelatinization or pre-gelatinization treatment. Particle Size: Declare the fineness or mesh of the corn flour, such as 80 mesh, 100 mesh, etc., which affects its use and classification. Packaging Specifications: Indicate the packaging form (bags, bulk) and net weight, such as 25kg/bag, 50kg/bag. Use: Describe the final use of the corn flour, such as food processing, feed, industrial raw materials, etc. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, indicate 'no brand'. Origin: Declare the country or region of production of the corn flour, which affects tariffs and trade controls. Product Name: Corn flour; Composition: Corn 100%, moisture ≤14%, ash ≤0.8%; Processing Method: Milled, passed through 100 mesh sieve, not gelatinized; Particle Size: 100 mesh; Packaging Specifications: 25kg/bag; Use: Food processing (for making pastry); Brand: No brand; Origin: China. Confusing corn flour with corn starch, the latter should be classified under 1108.12. Ignoring the processing method; pre-gelatinized corn flour may be classified under 1901 or 2005. Failing to declare particle size, may be questioned as groats or fine flour. Misdeclaring the use, e.g., feed-grade corn flour must comply with feed additive standards.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, using standardized Chinese and English commodity names, such as '玉米粉' or 'Corn flour'.
⚠️ Misdeclaring as 'corn starch' or 'cornmeal', leading to incorrect classification.
Composition/Content
Indicate the purity, moisture, ash, protein and other main composition indicators of the corn flour, and whether additives are contained.
⚠️ Only writing 'pure corn flour' without providing specific content indicators.
Processing Method
Describe the processing technique of the corn flour, such as milling, crushing, sieving, and whether it has undergone gelatinization or pre-gelatinization treatment.
⚠️ Declaring pre-gelatinized corn flour as ordinary corn flour without indicating the gelatinization process.
Particle Size
Declare the fineness or mesh of the corn flour, such as 80 mesh, 100 mesh, etc., which affects its use and classification.
⚠️ Omitting particle size description, leading to customs questioning the commodity attributes.
Packaging Specifications
Indicate the packaging form (bags, bulk) and net weight, such as 25kg/bag, 50kg/bag.
⚠️ Only writing 'bulk' without providing specific net weight.
Use
Describe the final use of the corn flour, such as food processing, feed, industrial raw materials, etc.
⚠️ Vaguely writing 'edible' without distinguishing between food processing and direct consumption.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, indicate 'no brand'.
⚠️ Failing to declare the brand or incorrectly declaring as 'no brand'.
Origin
Declare the country or region of production of the corn flour, which affects tariffs and trade controls.
⚠️ Misdeclaring as the origin of the raw corn rather than the place of processing.
Example： Product Name: Corn flour; Composition: Corn 100%, moisture ≤14%, ash ≤0.8%; Processing Method: Milled, passed through 100 mesh sieve, not gelatinized; Particle Size: 100 mesh; Packaging Specifications: 25kg/bag; Use: Food processing (for making pastry); Brand: No brand; Origin: China.
Common Mistakes：
Confusing corn flour with corn starch, the latter should be classified under 1108.12.
Ignoring the processing method; pre-gelatinized corn flour may be classified under 1901 or 2005.
Failing to declare particle size, may be questioned as groats or fine flour.
Misdeclaring the use, e.g., feed-grade corn flour must comply with feed additive standards.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) The commodity is a powder obtained by milling corn, meeting the definition of milling products of Chapter 11; 2) Corn is not wheat or meslin, so 1101 is excluded; 3) Corn flour has not undergone further processing (such as pre-gelatinization, puffing); if gelatinized, it may be classified under 1901 or 2005; 4) Particle size, composition, etc. must conform to the description of subheading 1102.20. 110100 Wheat or meslin flour: The raw material is wheat or meslin, whereas 110220 uses corn; the raw materials differ, so the cereal type must be verified during classification. 110230 Rice flour: The raw material is rice, whereas 110220 is corn flour; they can be distinguished by appearance and composition testing. 110290 Other cereal flours: Covers cereal flours other than wheat, meslin, corn and rice, such as barley flour and oat flour; corn flour should be classified preferentially under 110220. 110812 Corn starch: Corn starch is extracted starch, whereas corn flour is milled whole grain; the composition and degree of processing differ. 190120 Bakery premix powder: If corn flour is mixed with other ingredients to make bakery premix, it is classified under 1901, not 110220. Is the raw material corn? Has it been milled and not gelatinized? Does the particle size conform to the definition of powder? Is it mixed with other ingredients? Does the use affect classification?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) The commodity is a powder obtained by milling corn, meeting the definition of milling products of Chapter 11; 2) Corn is not wheat or meslin, so 1101 is excluded; 3) Corn flour has not undergone further processing (such as pre-gelatinization, puffing); if gelatinized, it may be classified under 1901 or 2005; 4) Particle size, composition, etc. must conform to the description of subheading 1102.20.
Confused Codes：
110100 - Wheat or meslin flour
The raw material is wheat or meslin, whereas 110220 uses corn; the raw materials differ, so the cereal type must be verified during classification.
110230 - Rice flour
The raw material is rice, whereas 110220 is corn flour; they can be distinguished by appearance and composition testing.
110290 - Other cereal flours
Covers cereal flours other than wheat, meslin, corn and rice, such as barley flour and oat flour; corn flour should be classified preferentially under 110220.
110812 - Corn starch
Corn starch is extracted starch, whereas corn flour is milled whole grain; the composition and degree of processing differ.
190120 - Bakery premix powder
If corn flour is mixed with other ingredients to make bakery premix, it is classified under 1901, not 110220.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the raw material corn?
✓ Has it been milled and not gelatinized?
✓ Does the particle size conform to the definition of powder?
✓ Is it mixed with other ingredients?
✓ Does the use affect classification?
❓ FAQ
How to look up the HS code for corn flour? You can consult the customs tariff, HS code query websites, or a customs broker, enter the keyword 'corn flour', confirm the 6-digit subheading 110220, then extend to 8-10 digits according to the destination country. What is the difference between the HS codes for corn flour and corn starch? Corn flour is classified under 110220 and is flour milled from whole corn kernels; corn starch is classified under 110812 and is extracted starch; the processing techniques and compositions differ. What declaration elements are required for exporting corn flour? You need to declare product name, composition/content, processing method, particle size, packaging specifications, use, brand, origin, etc., subject to customs requirements. How to check the tariff rate for corn flour? Tariff rates vary by country and trade agreement; you can check the destination country's customs website or China Customs tariff, using HS code 110220 to search for MFN rates, agreement rates, etc. Which code should pre-gelatinized corn flour be classified under? Pre-gelatinized corn flour has undergone gelatinization treatment, exceeding the scope of Chapter 11, and is usually classified under 1901 or 2005, depending on the processing technique and composition. Is the classification of corn flour affected by particle size? Particle size affects commodity attributes, but 110220 covers all corn flour regardless of coarseness; however, if the particle size is too large, it may be regarded as groats, and verification is needed as to whether it should be classified under 1103. How should mixed cereal flour be classified? If corn flour is mixed with other cereal flours, it should be classified according to the main component; if corn is the main component, it may still be classified under 110220, but the mixing ratio must be provided. What should be noted when selling corn flour via cross-border e-commerce? Ensure the product complies with the destination country's food standards, correctly declare the HS code, provide documents such as composition and origin, and avoid customs clearance delays caused by incorrect classification.
Q: How to look up the HS code for corn flour?
A: You can consult the customs tariff, HS code query websites, or a customs broker, enter the keyword 'corn flour', confirm the 6-digit subheading 110220, then extend to 8-10 digits according to the destination country.
Q: What is the difference between the HS codes for corn flour and corn starch?
A: Corn flour is classified under 110220 and is flour milled from whole corn kernels; corn starch is classified under 110812 and is extracted starch; the processing techniques and compositions differ.
Q: What declaration elements are required for exporting corn flour?
A: You need to declare product name, composition/content, processing method, particle size, packaging specifications, use, brand, origin, etc., subject to customs requirements.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for corn flour?
A: Tariff rates vary by country and trade agreement; you can check the destination country's customs website or China Customs tariff, using HS code 110220 to search for MFN rates, agreement rates, etc.
Q: Which code should pre-gelatinized corn flour be classified under?
A: Pre-gelatinized corn flour has undergone gelatinization treatment, exceeding the scope of Chapter 11, and is usually classified under 1901 or 2005, depending on the processing technique and composition.
Q: Is the classification of corn flour affected by particle size?
A: Particle size affects commodity attributes, but 110220 covers all corn flour regardless of coarseness; however, if the particle size is too large, it may be regarded as groats, and verification is needed as to whether it should be classified under 1103.
Q: How should mixed cereal flour be classified?
A: If corn flour is mixed with other cereal flours, it should be classified according to the main component; if corn is the main component, it may still be classified under 110220, but the mixing ratio must be provided.
Q: What should be noted when selling corn flour via cross-border e-commerce?
A: Ensure the product complies with the destination country's food standards, correctly declare the HS code, provide documents such as composition and origin, and avoid customs clearance delays caused by incorrect classification.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.