Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDry powder
Industry PositionFood ingredient (starch / functional thickener) with some industrial applications
Market
Potato starch in Canada is a two-way traded ingredient market, supplied by both domestic production and imports, with exports also observed (HS 110813). Import supply is material and is sourced largely from Europe (e.g., Denmark and Germany) alongside the United States, while at least one domestic producer operates in Manitoba. For food use, importers commonly need to manage Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) licensing/controls and declare required licence information at import when applicable, using CFIA’s AIRS to confirm admissibility requirements. Tariff outcomes depend on origin qualification: the MFN rate is listed at 10.5% for 1108.13.00, while multiple preferential tariff treatments are listed as free in Canada’s Customs Tariff.
Market RoleTwo-way trader (both importer and exporter) and domestic ingredient market
Domestic RoleIngredient input for Canadian food manufacturing (thickening, binding, texture) and selected industrial uses
Market GrowthStable (2023–2024 trade context)trade values show modest year-to-year variation
Specification
Physical Attributes- Dry powder ingredient that is moisture-sensitive in storage and handling (quality risk is primarily moisture pickup and caking rather than cold-chain breaks).
Compositional Metrics- Buyer specifications commonly differentiate native potato starch vs modified potato starch (with modified-starch processing subject to permitted additive/processing agent conditions in Canada).
Grades- Food use vs industrial (non-food) use classification (Canada Customs Tariff statistical suffix lines under 1108.13.00).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Potato supply / potato-processing stream → wet extraction & separation → dewatering & drying → milling/sieving → packaging → distributor/importer → food/industrial manufacturer
Temperature- Ambient transport is typical; protect from humidity/condensation to prevent caking and quality loss.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImport transactions can be delayed or refused if a required Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence is not held and/or not declared correctly for the commodity/activity as determined in CFIA AIRS; CBSA/CFIA guidance notes that missing/invalid licence declarations can trigger transaction rejection and border holds.Pre-check the commodity/origin/end-use in CFIA AIRS; ensure the SFC licence scope covers “Importing Food” and the relevant commodity, and validate import-declaration data entry (IID) before shipment arrival.
Tariff And Origin MediumDuty exposure can be significant if the shipment does not qualify for a preferential tariff treatment: Canada’s Customs Tariff lists MFN duty of 10.5% for 1108.13.00 potato starch, while preferential outcomes depend on origin qualification.Confirm HS classification and tariff-treatment eligibility early; obtain compliant origin documentation when claiming preferential treatment and budget MFN duty where origin is uncertain.
Logistics MediumCanada’s import mix for potato starch includes transatlantic supply (e.g., Denmark and Germany), making availability and landed cost sensitive to ocean freight volatility and port/inland transport disruptions, alongside cross-border flows from the United States.Diversify approved origins/suppliers (Europe and North America), hold safety stock for manufacturing programs, and include freight-adjustment clauses where feasible.
Climate MediumDomestic upstream potato supply can be affected by drought and other yield shocks in producing regions, which can tighten domestic raw-material availability for potato-based processing streams used in starch-related ingredient production.Maintain dual sourcing (domestic + imported) and align contracts with storage/availability windows and contingency supply options.
Sustainability- Circularity/upcycling theme is present in Canadian potato-starch-related ingredient production (e.g., documented upcycled-certified resistant potato starch initiatives), which may be relevant for sustainability claims if substantiated per supplier documentation.
Standards- HACCP (supplier-claimed program)
- BRCGS (GFSI-recognized) (supplier-claimed program)
- Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP) / Canadian Celiac Association (supplier-claimed certification)
- Non-GMO Project Verified (supplier-claimed certification)
- Kosher certification (supplier-claimed certification)
FAQ
Do I need a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence to import potato starch into Canada?Often yes for commercial food imports, but the definitive answer depends on the specific commodity classification, origin, and end use. CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is the government tool used to determine import requirements, including whether an SFC licence must be declared for the transaction; shipments can be delayed or refused if a required licence is missing or declared incorrectly.
What is the MFN tariff rate in Canada for potato starch (HS 1108.13.00)?Canada’s Customs Tariff lists an MFN tariff rate of 10.5% for 1108.13.00 (potato starch). Preferential tariff treatments may be free depending on origin qualification and the applicable tariff treatment.
Which countries are major suppliers of imported potato starch to Canada?In recent UN Comtrade data presented via WITS for HS 110813, Denmark and Germany are listed among the top suppliers to Canada, with additional supply from the United States and other countries.
If I sell foods containing potato starch in Canada, are there labeling considerations about starch sources?Health Canada guidance indicates that the specific sources of starches and modified starches must be identified by their common names in the ingredient list or a “Contains” statement, which supports clear identification such as “potato starch” when potato is the source.