Chapter 15 covers animal and vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, and animal and vegetable waxes. It includes crude oils, refined oils, hydrogenated oils, glycerides, and waxes extracted from animal and vegetable materials. The core of this chapter lies in the degree of processing and the source of the oils and fats, involving various oil and fat products for edible and industrial uses, and is one of the important agricultural product chapters in international trade. Heading 1507 specifically covers soybean oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. It includes crude soybean oil, refined soybean oil, and soybean oil fractions. This heading distinguishes between crude and other degrees of processing, but all products must retain the basic characteristics of oils and fats, without chemical structural changes. The first 2 digits 15 indicate Chapter 15: Animal and vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products. Digits 3-4, 07, indicate heading 1507: Soybean oil and its fractions. Digits 5-6, 10, indicate subheading 1507.10: Crude soybean oil, i.e., soybean oil extracted only by physical methods such as pressing or solvent extraction, without further refining or chemical modification. This subheading is not further subdivided and directly corresponds to crude soybean oil. Crude soybean oil is obtained by pressing or solvent extraction, without refining processes such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, or deodorization, retaining the original glyceride structure, and is therefore classified under 1507.10. If refined, it is classified under 1507.90; if hydrogenated or chemically modified, it is classified under 1516 or 1517.
Chapter
Chapter 15 covers animal and vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, and animal and vegetable waxes. It includes crude oils, refined oils, hydrogenated oils, glycerides, and waxes extracted from animal and vegetable materials. The core of this chapter lies in the degree of processing and the source of the oils and fats, involving various oil and fat products for edible and industrial uses, and is one of the important agricultural product chapters in international trade.
Heading
Heading 1507 specifically covers soybean oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. It includes crude soybean oil, refined soybean oil, and soybean oil fractions. This heading distinguishes between crude and other degrees of processing, but all products must retain the basic characteristics of oils and fats, without chemical structural changes.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 15 indicate Chapter 15: Animal and vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products. Digits 3-4, 07, indicate heading 1507: Soybean oil and its fractions. Digits 5-6, 10, indicate subheading 1507.10: Crude soybean oil, i.e., soybean oil extracted only by physical methods such as pressing or solvent extraction, without further refining or chemical modification. This subheading is not further subdivided and directly corresponds to crude soybean oil.
Classification Basis
Crude soybean oil is obtained by pressing or solvent extraction, without refining processes such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, or deodorization, retaining the original glyceride structure, and is therefore classified under 1507.10. If refined, it is classified under 1507.90; if hydrogenated or chemically modified, it is classified under 1516 or 1517.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The declared commodity name should be accurately described as "crude soybean oil" or "crude soya bean oil", avoiding vague terms such as "raw soybean oil". Processing Method: Describe the extraction process, such as "pressed" or "solvent extracted", and note that it is unrefined, such as "pressed only, not refined". Composition Content: Indicate the main components and content, such as "triglycerides ≥99%, free fatty acids ≤1%", and provide an inspection report. Packaging Specifications: Describe the packaging type and net weight, such as "bulk in flexitank, net weight 20 tons" or "190 kg iron drum". Use: Declare the use, such as "for refining edible vegetable oil" or "for industrial use"; different uses may affect regulatory conditions. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if none, fill in "none". Origin: Declare the country (region) of origin of the goods, which affects tariffs and the application of trade agreements. Product Name: Crude soybean oil; Processing Method: Solvent extracted, not refined; Composition Content: Triglycerides 99.5%, free fatty acids 0.5%, moisture 0.1%; Packaging Specifications: Bulk flexitank, net weight 20,000 kg; Use: For refining edible vegetable oil; Brand: None; Origin: Brazil. Mistakenly declaring refined soybean oil as crude, leading to classification errors and tariff differences. Incomplete description of processing method, failing to note "not refined", which may result in classification under the refined subheading. Vague declaration of composition content, failing to provide key indicators such as free fatty acids, affecting the determination of crude status.
Product Name
The declared commodity name should be accurately described as "crude soybean oil" or "crude soya bean oil", avoiding vague terms such as "raw soybean oil".
⚠️ Mistakenly written as "refined soybean oil" or "edible soybean oil", leading to incorrect classification.
Processing Method
Describe the extraction process, such as "pressed" or "solvent extracted", and note that it is unrefined, such as "pressed only, not refined".
⚠️ Writing only "crude" without specifying the process, or mistakenly filling in "refined".
Composition Content
Indicate the main components and content, such as "triglycerides ≥99%, free fatty acids ≤1%", and provide an inspection report.
⚠️ Failing to provide specific content data, or content exceeding crude standards.
Packaging Specifications
Describe the packaging type and net weight, such as "bulk in flexitank, net weight 20 tons" or "190 kg iron drum".
⚠️ Unclear packaging description, such as writing only "bulk" without specific specifications.
Use
Declare the use, such as "for refining edible vegetable oil" or "for industrial use"; different uses may affect regulatory conditions.
⚠️ False declaration of use, such as declaring industrial use as edible.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if none, fill in "none".
⚠️ Brand inconsistent with the actual goods, or omission of brand.
Origin
Declare the country (region) of origin of the goods, which affects tariffs and the application of trade agreements.
⚠️ Incorrect declaration of origin, such as declaring Brazilian origin as United States origin.
Mistakenly declaring refined soybean oil as crude, leading to classification errors and tariff differences.
Incomplete description of processing method, failing to note "not refined", which may result in classification under the refined subheading.
Vague declaration of composition content, failing to provide key indicators such as free fatty acids, affecting the determination of crude status.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the degree of processing and chemical modification. Crude soybean oil refers to oil extracted only by physical methods such as pressing or solvent extraction, without refining processes such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, or deodorization, and without chemical modification such as hydrogenation or interesterification. If refined, it is classified under 1507.90; if hydrogenated, under 1516.20; if fatty acids are separated out, under 3823. 150790 Refined soybean oil: Has undergone refining processes such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, and deodorization, with low free fatty acid content and light color, classified under 1507.90. 151620 Hydrogenated soybean oil: Has undergone hydrogenation reaction changing the oil structure, with increased melting point, classified under 1516.20, belonging to chemically modified oils and fats. 120190 Soybeans: Raw soybeans from which oil has not been extracted, belonging to Chapter 12 oil-bearing seeds and oleaginous fruits, rather than the oil itself. 230400 Soybean meal: Residue after oil extraction, mainly used as feed, classified under Chapter 23. Is the processing method pressing or solvent extraction? Has it undergone refining processes such as degumming or deacidification? Is the free fatty acid content higher than refined oil standards? Has it undergone chemical modification such as hydrogenation or interesterification? Does the use affect classification (e.g., industrial vs. edible)?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the degree of processing and chemical modification. Crude soybean oil refers to oil extracted only by physical methods such as pressing or solvent extraction, without refining processes such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, or deodorization, and without chemical modification such as hydrogenation or interesterification. If refined, it is classified under 1507.90; if hydrogenated, under 1516.20; if fatty acids are separated out, under 3823.
Confused Codes：
150790 - Refined soybean oil
Has undergone refining processes such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, and deodorization, with low free fatty acid content and light color, classified under 1507.90.
151620 - Hydrogenated soybean oil
Has undergone hydrogenation reaction changing the oil structure, with increased melting point, classified under 1516.20, belonging to chemically modified oils and fats.
120190 - Soybeans
Raw soybeans from which oil has not been extracted, belonging to Chapter 12 oil-bearing seeds and oleaginous fruits, rather than the oil itself.
230400 - Soybean meal
Residue after oil extraction, mainly used as feed, classified under Chapter 23.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the processing method pressing or solvent extraction?
✓ Has it undergone refining processes such as degumming or deacidification?
✓ Is the free fatty acid content higher than refined oil standards?
✓ Has it undergone chemical modification such as hydrogenation or interesterification?
✓ Does the use affect classification (e.g., industrial vs. edible)?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between crude soybean oil and refined soybean oil? Crude soybean oil is classified under 1507.10, referring to soybean oil obtained only by pressing or solvent extraction without refining; refined soybean oil is classified under 1507.90, having undergone processes such as degumming and deacidification. The two differ in degree of processing, and tariffs and regulatory conditions may differ. How to determine whether soybean oil is "crude"? The main criterion is whether it has been refined. Crude soybean oil retains more free fatty acids, phospholipids, and pigments, typically with higher acid value and darker color. Reference can be made to the processing method and indicators such as free fatty acids and moisture in the inspection report. Can soybean oil produced by solvent extraction be classified as crude? Yes. Crude is not limited to pressed oil; unrefined soybean oil extracted by solvent extraction also qualifies as crude. The key is that it is unrefined, not the extraction method. What is the most common error when declaring crude soybean oil? The most common is mistakenly declaring refined soybean oil as crude, or failing to note "not refined". In addition, false declaration of composition content and vague description of processing method can also easily lead to classification disputes. If crude soybean oil is used for industrial purposes, will the HS code change? The HS code remains unchanged, still 1507.10, but the declared use will affect regulatory conditions and tariff treatment. Industrial use may involve different licenses or inspection requirements. How to distinguish crude soybean oil from hydrogenated soybean oil? Hydrogenated soybean oil has undergone hydrogenation reaction, changing the oil structure and increasing the melting point, and is classified under 1516.20; crude soybean oil is not chemically modified and is classified under 1507.10. They can be distinguished by indicators such as iodine value and melting point. What information is needed when querying the HS code for crude soybean oil? Product name, processing method, composition content, packaging specifications, use, brand, origin, etc. are required. This information helps to accurately classify under 1507.10 and facilitate customs clearance. How to query the tariff rate for crude soybean oil? The tariff rate needs to be queried based on origin, trade agreements, and the latest tariff schedule. You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the customs commodity code query system, enter 150710 to obtain real-time tariff rates.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between crude soybean oil and refined soybean oil?
A: Crude soybean oil is classified under 1507.10, referring to soybean oil obtained only by pressing or solvent extraction without refining; refined soybean oil is classified under 1507.90, having undergone processes such as degumming and deacidification. The two differ in degree of processing, and tariffs and regulatory conditions may differ.
Q: How to determine whether soybean oil is "crude"?
A: The main criterion is whether it has been refined. Crude soybean oil retains more free fatty acids, phospholipids, and pigments, typically with higher acid value and darker color. Reference can be made to the processing method and indicators such as free fatty acids and moisture in the inspection report.
Q: Can soybean oil produced by solvent extraction be classified as crude?
A: Yes. Crude is not limited to pressed oil; unrefined soybean oil extracted by solvent extraction also qualifies as crude. The key is that it is unrefined, not the extraction method.
Q: What is the most common error when declaring crude soybean oil?
A: The most common is mistakenly declaring refined soybean oil as crude, or failing to note "not refined". In addition, false declaration of composition content and vague description of processing method can also easily lead to classification disputes.
Q: If crude soybean oil is used for industrial purposes, will the HS code change?
A: The HS code remains unchanged, still 1507.10, but the declared use will affect regulatory conditions and tariff treatment. Industrial use may involve different licenses or inspection requirements.
Q: How to distinguish crude soybean oil from hydrogenated soybean oil?
A: Hydrogenated soybean oil has undergone hydrogenation reaction, changing the oil structure and increasing the melting point, and is classified under 1516.20; crude soybean oil is not chemically modified and is classified under 1507.10. They can be distinguished by indicators such as iodine value and melting point.
Q: What information is needed when querying the HS code for crude soybean oil?
A: Product name, processing method, composition content, packaging specifications, use, brand, origin, etc. are required. This information helps to accurately classify under 1507.10 and facilitate customs clearance.
Q: How to query the tariff rate for crude soybean oil?
A: The tariff rate needs to be queried based on origin, trade agreements, and the latest tariff schedule. You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the customs commodity code query system, enter 150710 to obtain real-time tariff rates.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.