Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormMilled (Dry)
Industry PositionSemi-processed Agricultural Commodity
Raw Material
Market
Broken rice in Great Britain is an import-dependent milled rice commodity used mainly as a low-cost input for food manufacturing and feed channels; domestic rice production is negligible, so availability and pricing are driven by import supply and compliance with UK food-safety contaminant limits for rice (notably inorganic arsenic).
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer and processing market (net importer)
Domestic RoleDownstream ingredient/feed input with limited domestic primary production
SeasonalityYear-round availability via imports and storage.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Maximum foreign matter and impurities
- Kernel size distribution (screens) and proportion of broken kernels
- Color/whiteness and presence of discolored grains
Compositional Metrics- Moisture content limit to reduce mold risk during sea freight and storage
Grades- Traded as broken rice under HS heading 1006.40 with buyer-set tolerances (e.g., screen size, foreign matter, moisture)
Packaging- Bulk/containerized shipments for industrial users with lot identification; moisture protection (liners/desiccants) commonly used in transit
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin milling and grading → bagging/bulk loading → containerization → sea freight to Great Britain → port/customs clearance → importer warehousing → distribution to food manufacturers/feed users
Temperature- Ambient transport is typical; keep dry and prevent condensation to avoid quality deterioration
Shelf Life- Shelf-life is long under dry, pest-controlled storage; moisture ingress can drive mold/odor and contract rejection
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Food Safety HighNon-compliance with UK contaminant limits for rice (notably inorganic arsenic) or pesticide-residue requirements can trigger detention, rejection, withdrawal/recall, and immediate loss of buyer approval in Great Britain.Require pre-shipment and arrival testing/COAs for inorganic arsenic and key residues, implement supplier approval audits, and maintain lot-level traceability with corrective-action protocols.
Logistics MediumFreight-rate volatility and container availability can materially increase landed cost and disrupt delivery schedules for low-value bulk broken rice into Great Britain.Use forward freight planning, diversify routes/carriers, and maintain buffer inventory at UK warehouses for contract coverage.
Supply/price Volatility MediumPolicy actions or export restrictions by major rice-origin countries can abruptly tighten global rice supply, raising prices and constraining broken-rice availability for GB importers.Multi-origin sourcing strategies, flexible specifications, and supplier diversification reduce reliance on any single origin.
Sustainability- Irrigated rice supply-chain footprint concerns (water use and methane emissions) may be screened by UK buyers and retailers as part of ESG procurement
Labor & Social- Modern slavery and labor-rights due diligence expectations for agricultural supply chains (e.g., UK Modern Slavery Act-aligned supplier risk screening) can affect sourcing approvals
Standards- BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
- FSSC 22000
- ISO 22000
- GMP+ (for feed supply chains where applicable)
FAQ
What HS code is typically used for broken rice imports into Great Britain?Broken rice is typically classified under HS 1006.40 in the UK tariff schedule; the final code used should be confirmed in the UK Integrated Online Tariff for the exact product description and presentation.
What is the biggest compliance risk for broken rice in the GB market?Food-safety compliance—especially meeting applicable limits for contaminants in rice such as inorganic arsenic and complying with pesticide-residue requirements—is the most critical risk because failures can lead to rejection or withdrawal in the GB market.
Which private standards are commonly requested by GB buyers for rice-based ingredients?Many GB buyers commonly request recognized food-safety management certification such as BRCGS, and often accept equivalents like FSSC 22000 or ISO 22000 depending on the customer’s approval program.
Sources
UK Government (HM Revenue & Customs / Department for Business and Trade) — UK Integrated Online Tariff (HS classification and import duty reference for goods including HS 1006.40 broken rice)
Food Standards Agency (FSA), United Kingdom — Food safety guidance and risk information related to arsenic in rice and rice products
UK Government (legislation.gov.uk) — GB food-law provisions on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food (including rice-related limits, as applicable)
Codex Alimentarius Commission — Codex Standard for Rice (CODEX STAN 198-1995) and related commodity specification concepts (e.g., broken kernels, extraneous matter)
BRCGS — BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety (commonly requested by UK retail and food manufacturing supply chains)