Rice (heading 1006): importing markets
HS heading 1006 covers rice, from paddy to broken rice. Import demand is spread across Asia, the Gulf, West and East Africa, Europe and North America. In…
Published on 26 October 2026Updated on 26 October 2026
HS heading 1006 covers rice, from paddy to broken rice. Import demand is spread across Asia, the Gulf, West and East Africa, Europe and North America. In 2025 the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and the United States each declared more than USD 1.6 billion of imports. For a company exporting from Spain, the first step is to classify the product by subheading.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 26 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 1006
- Chapter
- 10 · Cereals
- Subheadings
- 4
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Philippines | 1,717,816,641 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1,693,716,894 |
| United States | 1,639,030,959 |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 1,101,534,355 |
| China | 920,511,077 |
| Malaysia | 774,713,520 |
| France | 727,525,421 |
| Benin | 705,699,984 |
| United Kingdom | 680,850,490 |
| Japan | 669,168,662 |
| Germany | 619,331,103 |
| South Africa | 547,099,903 |
| Senegal | 517,995,253 |
| Kenya | 504,809,350 |
| Canada | 493,477,793 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 26 October 2026
What to know before exporting rice
Heading 1006 is divided into four subheadings, according to how much processing the grain has had: rice in the husk (paddy), husked or brown rice, semi-milled or wholly milled rice, and broken rice. Each subheading can carry different duties and different import conditions. Classifying the product correctly is the first decision, and the rest of the file depends on it.
Demand is not concentrated in one region. Among the 15 largest importers in the table, five are in Asia (the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, China, Malaysia and Japan), five in Africa (Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, South Africa, Senegal and Kenya), three in Europe (France, the United Kingdom and Germany) and two in North America (the United States and Canada). The figures are imports declared by each country from the whole world, not purchases from Spain.
The duty applied to your product depends on the subheading, the destination and the trade agreement in force between the destination and the country of origin. For a company exporting from Spain, the place to check it is Access2Markets, the European Commission tool that lists duties, rules of origin and import requirements by product and country.
Rice is a plant product, so many destinations ask for phytosanitary documentation and set their own limits on residues and contaminants. Requirements differ by country and can change. Check them for each destination before quoting, using Access2Markets and the importer's national plant health authority.
The first six digits of the code are shared internationally. Beyond that, each country adds its own national tariff lines. Before issuing an invoice, confirm the full code your buyer will use at customs, because a mismatch between codes is a common source of delays.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 26 October 2026
Frequently asked questions about exporting rice
What does HS code 1006 cover?
HS 1006 is the heading for rice. It has four subheadings: rice in the husk (paddy), husked or brown rice, semi-milled or wholly milled rice, and broken rice. The subheading depends on the degree of processing of the grain.
Which countries import the most rice?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, the three largest importers among reporting countries were the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and the United States, each above USD 1.6 billion in declared imports. Côte d’Ivoire and China follow. Countries report with a delay, so the ranking can change as data is consolidated.
Is the import duty the same in every market?
No. The duty depends on the subheading, the destination country and the trade agreement that applies to the origin. A company exporting from Spain can look up the duty for each product and destination in Access2Markets.
Do paddy rice and milled rice use the same code?
They share the heading 1006 but not the subheading. Paddy rice is classified as rice in the husk and milled rice as semi-milled or wholly milled rice. Duties and import conditions can differ between them, so each shipment must be classified by its actual state.
Is the six-digit code enough for customs?
Not always. The first six digits are common internationally, but many countries add further digits for their own tariff lines. Ask your buyer or customs agent for the full national code at destination before shipping.
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