3505.10.00 - Dextrins and other modified starches

This category, HTS Code 3505.10.00, encompasses dextrins and other modified starches. These products are derived from starch through various physical or chemical processes that alter its native properties. Examples include pregelatinized starches, which have been cooked and dried to allow for easier dispersion in cold water, and esterified starches, which have undergone chemical modification to impart specific characteristics like emulsifying or thickening abilities. The key unifying factor is the modification of natural starch to serve specialized industrial purposes.

This classification is distinct from its sibling category, 3505.20.00.00, which covers glues. While glues in this chapter may be *based* on starches or dextrins, HTS 3505.10.00 specifically addresses the modified starch or dextrin *itself* as the primary product, rather than its adhesive formulation. The distinction lies in whether the primary item being classified is the modified starch ingredient or a finished adhesive product.

The subcategories within HTS 3505.10.00 further refine the classification based on the specific type of modified starch. The first subcategory, "Dextrin," captures these specific polysaccharide derivatives of starch, often produced by heating starch in the presence of acid or enzymes. The "Other" subcategory is a residual classification for all other types of modified starches not specifically categorized as dextrins, provided they are not formulated into glues. This structure allows for detailed identification of various starch derivatives based on their production method and chemical composition.