Starches — HTS 1108
Starches; inulin
Chapter 11 › Heading 1108
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 1108 is a four-digit product category for “starches; inulin.” It generally groups food, industrial, or other preparations that are starches or inulin, rather than grouping them by brand or intended customer. Starches may come from sources such as cereals, roots, or tubers, while inulin is a separate type of carbohydrate product.
To reach the correct eight-digit HTSUS code, first identify the product’s material and type. The subheadings generally distinguish products by source—such as the plant from which the starch is obtained—or by whether the product is inulin or another starch category. Check the product’s composition, manufacturing process, and any relevant specification details. A product that is chemically modified, blended, or otherwise processed may belong outside heading 1108, so the heading should not be selected based only on the word “starch” in a marketing description.
What to check
- Confirm the product’s primary material, such as its botanical source, using the ingredient list and technical specifications.
- Check whether the product is ordinary starch, inulin, a blend, or a modified or chemically processed starch; processing can affect classification.
- Review the complete eight-digit HTSUS options and use the subheading wording and legal notes, not just a product search keyword.
- Compare the commercial invoice, package label, certificate of analysis, and manufacturer data so they describe the same product.
- Seek a customs broker or binding classification ruling when the product’s processing, blend, or composition creates a close classification question.
HTS heading 1108 summary
Starches is a 4-digit product category containing 6 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1108.11.00 👉 | Wheat starch | 0.54¢/kg | Free | 3.3¢/kg |
| 1108.12.00 👉 | Corn (maize) starch | 0.54¢/kg | Free | 3.3¢/kg |
| 1108.13.00 👉 | Potato starch | 0.56¢/kg | Free | 5.5¢/kg |
| 1108.14.00.00 👉 | Cassava (manioc) starch | Free | — | Free |
| 1108.19.00 👉 | Other starches | Free | — | Free |
| 1108.20.00.00 👉 | Inulin | 2.6% | Free | 50% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 1108?
Starches; inulin. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.