Chapter 11 covers 'Milling Industry Products; Malt; Starch; Inulin; Wheat Gluten', including powdered products obtained by grinding and processing cereals or vegetable tubers, as well as starch, inulin, and gluten extracted from plants. Products of this chapter are generally primary processed, but further processed foods (such as baked goods) or chemicals are excluded. Heading 1108 includes 'Starch; Inulin', i.e., starch extracted from plants (such as corn starch, potato starch) and inulin (a polysaccharide extracted from chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, etc.). Starch is a glucose polymer, and inulin is a fructose polymer. Both are natural polysaccharides, but they differ in source and chemical structure. The first 2 digits '11' represent Chapter 11: Milling Industry Products; Malt; Starch; Inulin; Wheat Gluten. The 3rd-4th digits '08' represent Heading 1108: Starch; Inulin. The 5th-6th digits '20' represent Subheading 110820: Inulin. Therefore, 110820 is the six-digit HS code specifically for inulin, used in customs declaration to clearly identify the goods as inulin rather than starch or products of other chapters. Inulin is a fructan extracted from plants such as chicory and Jerusalem artichoke. It is a polysaccharide but different from starch (a glucose polymer). Since inulin is in the same heading (1108) as starch in the Harmonized System and is explicitly listed as a subheading, it is classified under 110820, rather than starch (1108.11-1108.19) or sugars (Chapter 17).
Chapter
Chapter 11 covers 'Milling Industry Products; Malt; Starch; Inulin; Wheat Gluten', including powdered products obtained by grinding and processing cereals or vegetable tubers, as well as starch, inulin, and gluten extracted from plants. Products of this chapter are generally primary processed, but further processed foods (such as baked goods) or chemicals are excluded.
Heading
Heading 1108 includes 'Starch; Inulin', i.e., starch extracted from plants (such as corn starch, potato starch) and inulin (a polysaccharide extracted from chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, etc.). Starch is a glucose polymer, and inulin is a fructose polymer. Both are natural polysaccharides, but they differ in source and chemical structure.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits '11' represent Chapter 11: Milling Industry Products; Malt; Starch; Inulin; Wheat Gluten. The 3rd-4th digits '08' represent Heading 1108: Starch; Inulin. The 5th-6th digits '20' represent Subheading 110820: Inulin. Therefore, 110820 is the six-digit HS code specifically for inulin, used in customs declaration to clearly identify the goods as inulin rather than starch or products of other chapters.
Classification Basis
Inulin is a fructan extracted from plants such as chicory and Jerusalem artichoke. It is a polysaccharide but different from starch (a glucose polymer). Since inulin is in the same heading (1108) as starch in the Harmonized System and is explicitly listed as a subheading, it is classified under 110820, rather than starch (1108.11-1108.19) or sugars (Chapter 17).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity should be filled in as 'Inulin' or 'Inulin (菊粉)', avoiding colloquial names or brand names. Composition Content: Declare the purity, moisture, ash, and other indicators of inulin. Typically, inulin content ≥90%, moisture ≤5%. Source: Specify the plant raw material from which inulin is extracted, such as chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke tuber, etc. Packaging Specifications: Declare the packaging form and net weight, such as 25kg/bag, 500g/bottle, etc. Use: Explain the use of inulin, such as food additive, dietary fiber, health product raw material, etc. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'None'. Production Date/Shelf Life: Declare the production date and shelf life to ensure the product is within the validity period. Product Name: Inulin; Composition Content: Inulin ≥95%, moisture ≤4%, ash ≤0.5%; Source: Chicory root; Packaging Specifications: 25kg/bag; Use: Food additive (dietary fiber); Brand: None; Production Date: 2025-01-01; Shelf Life: 24 months. Confusing inulin with starch and incorrectly classifying under 1108.11 or 1108.19, leading to classification errors. Ignoring the 'Source' declaration element and not providing the plant species, which may trigger customs questioning. Declaring the use as 'feed' but actually used for food, which may involve licensing requirements.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity should be filled in as 'Inulin' or 'Inulin (菊粉)', avoiding colloquial names or brand names.
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in as 'chicory fiber', 'fructooligosaccharide', etc., leading to classification disputes.
Composition Content
Declare the purity, moisture, ash, and other indicators of inulin. Typically, inulin content ≥90%, moisture ≤5%.
⚠️ Only filling in '100% inulin' without providing moisture, ash, etc., which does not meet specifications.
Source
Specify the plant raw material from which inulin is extracted, such as chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke tuber, etc.
⚠️ Vaguely filling in 'plant extract' without specifying the species.
Packaging Specifications
Declare the packaging form and net weight, such as 25kg/bag, 500g/bottle, etc.
⚠️ Filling in 'bulk' without specific weight, affecting measurement.
Use
Explain the use of inulin, such as food additive, dietary fiber, health product raw material, etc.
⚠️ Filling in 'edible' is too broad; it should be specific to the application field.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'None'.
⚠️ Ignoring brand declaration, leading to intellectual property issues.
Production Date/Shelf Life
Declare the production date and shelf life to ensure the product is within the validity period.
⚠️ Not providing or incorrect format, such as 'see packaging'.
Confusing inulin with starch and incorrectly classifying under 1108.11 or 1108.19, leading to classification errors.
Ignoring the 'Source' declaration element and not providing the plant species, which may trigger customs questioning.
Declaring the use as 'feed' but actually used for food, which may involve licensing requirements.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 11 of the Harmonized System and the text of Heading 1108. Inulin is a fructose polymer, different from starch (a glucose polymer), but both are polysaccharides, so they are classified under Heading 1108. Subheading 110820 explicitly lists inulin, so as long as the product meets the definition of inulin (fructan, degree of polymerization ≥10), it is classified under this code. If inulin is further processed (such as modification, mixing), it may be classified under Chapter 17 or Chapter 38. 110811 Wheat Starch: Wheat starch is a glucose polymer derived from wheat; inulin is a fructose polymer derived from chicory, etc. Both chemical structure and source are different. 110819 Other Starches: Other starches include corn, potato, etc., all of which are glucose polymers; inulin is not starch, and the subheadings clearly distinguish them. 170290 Other Solid Sugars: If inulin is hydrolyzed into fructose syrup, it is classified under 1702, but unhydrolyzed inulin remains under 1108. 130219 Other Plant Saps and Extracts: Inulin is a purified polysaccharide, not a plant sap; if it is a crude extract, it may be classified under 1302, but pure inulin is classified under 1108. Is the product indeed inulin (fructan)? Has it been hydrolyzed or modified? Does the purity meet the inulin standard? Is the source chicory or Jerusalem artichoke? Is it mixed with other substances?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 11 of the Harmonized System and the text of Heading 1108. Inulin is a fructose polymer, different from starch (a glucose polymer), but both are polysaccharides, so they are classified under Heading 1108. Subheading 110820 explicitly lists inulin, so as long as the product meets the definition of inulin (fructan, degree of polymerization ≥10), it is classified under this code. If inulin is further processed (such as modification, mixing), it may be classified under Chapter 17 or Chapter 38.
Confused Codes：
110811 - Wheat Starch
Wheat starch is a glucose polymer derived from wheat; inulin is a fructose polymer derived from chicory, etc. Both chemical structure and source are different.
110819 - Other Starches
Other starches include corn, potato, etc., all of which are glucose polymers; inulin is not starch, and the subheadings clearly distinguish them.
170290 - Other Solid Sugars
If inulin is hydrolyzed into fructose syrup, it is classified under 1702, but unhydrolyzed inulin remains under 1108.
130219 - Other Plant Saps and Extracts
Inulin is a purified polysaccharide, not a plant sap; if it is a crude extract, it may be classified under 1302, but pure inulin is classified under 1108.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the product indeed inulin (fructan)?
✓ Has it been hydrolyzed or modified?
✓ Does the purity meet the inulin standard?
✓ Is the source chicory or Jerusalem artichoke?
✓ Is it mixed with other substances?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference between inulin and starch? Why are they classified under the same heading? Inulin is a fructose polymer, and starch is a glucose polymer. Their chemical structures are different, but both are natural polysaccharides and are obtained by plant extraction. The HS classifies both under Heading 1108, but subheadings are separate: inulin is 110820, and starches are 110811-110819. What declaration elements are required for importing inulin? It is necessary to declare product name, composition content, source, packaging specifications, use, brand, production date/shelf life, etc. Composition content should specify inulin purity, moisture, ash, etc., and the source should be specific to the plant species. Is the HS code for inulin globally uniform? The first six digits 110820 are globally uniform under the Harmonized System, but countries may subdivide in later digits. For example, the US HTS is 1108.20.00, the EU is 1108.20.00, and China is 1108200000. If inulin is used in health products, does the classification change? If inulin is used as a single-ingredient raw material, it remains under 110820; if it has been formulated into a finished health product, it is classified under Chapter 21 or Chapter 30. Classification depends on the degree of processing and packaging state. Are inulin and chicory fiber the same commodity? Chicory fiber may contain inulin and other components. If the inulin content is high and it is not mixed, it can be classified under 110820; if it is a mixture, it may be classified under Chapter 13 or Chapter 21. Judgment should be based on composition and processing. How to check the import tariff rate for inulin? You can check the China Customs 'Import and Export Tariff' or use the 'Internet + Customs' platform, enter HS code 1108200000 to obtain the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Tariff rates may change, and the latest published rates shall prevail. What regulatory documents are required for inulin import? As a food raw material, it must comply with national food safety standards and may require an 'Inbound Goods Inspection and Quarantine Certificate'. If used for feed, a 'Feed Additive Import Registration Certificate' is required. Specific requirements are subject to customs. What are the consequences of mistakenly classifying inulin under a starch code? It may lead to classification errors, affecting tariff rates, regulatory conditions, and statistics. Customs may require tax supplements, fines, or even affect the enterprise's credit rating. It is recommended to declare truthfully and apply for advance classification if necessary.
Q: What is the difference between inulin and starch? Why are they classified under the same heading?
A: Inulin is a fructose polymer, and starch is a glucose polymer. Their chemical structures are different, but both are natural polysaccharides and are obtained by plant extraction. The HS classifies both under Heading 1108, but subheadings are separate: inulin is 110820, and starches are 110811-110819.
Q: What declaration elements are required for importing inulin?
A: It is necessary to declare product name, composition content, source, packaging specifications, use, brand, production date/shelf life, etc. Composition content should specify inulin purity, moisture, ash, etc., and the source should be specific to the plant species.
Q: Is the HS code for inulin globally uniform?
A: The first six digits 110820 are globally uniform under the Harmonized System, but countries may subdivide in later digits. For example, the US HTS is 1108.20.00, the EU is 1108.20.00, and China is 1108200000.
Q: If inulin is used in health products, does the classification change?
A: If inulin is used as a single-ingredient raw material, it remains under 110820; if it has been formulated into a finished health product, it is classified under Chapter 21 or Chapter 30. Classification depends on the degree of processing and packaging state.
Q: Are inulin and chicory fiber the same commodity?
A: Chicory fiber may contain inulin and other components. If the inulin content is high and it is not mixed, it can be classified under 110820; if it is a mixture, it may be classified under Chapter 13 or Chapter 21. Judgment should be based on composition and processing.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for inulin?
A: You can check the China Customs 'Import and Export Tariff' or use the 'Internet + Customs' platform, enter HS code 1108200000 to obtain the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Tariff rates may change, and the latest published rates shall prevail.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for inulin import?
A: As a food raw material, it must comply with national food safety standards and may require an 'Inbound Goods Inspection and Quarantine Certificate'. If used for feed, a 'Feed Additive Import Registration Certificate' is required. Specific requirements are subject to customs.
Q: What are the consequences of mistakenly classifying inulin under a starch code?
A: It may lead to classification errors, affecting tariff rates, regulatory conditions, and statistics. Customs may require tax supplements, fines, or even affect the enterprise's credit rating. It is recommended to declare truthfully and apply for advance classification if necessary.
⚠️ 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.