Chapter 15 covers animal and vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, animal and vegetable waxes. It includes crude and refined oils extracted from animal fats or vegetable oils, as well as modified oils such as hydrogenated and interesterified oils. However, it excludes unrendered animal fats (Chapter 2) and chemically synthesized oils (Chapter 29). Heading 1511 covers palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. It includes crude palm oil, refined palm oil, palm stearin, palm olein, etc. However, palm kernel oil is classified under 1513, and biodiesel made from palm oil is classified under 3826. First 2 digits 15: Chapter 15, animal and vegetable fats and oils. Digits 3-4: 11: Heading 1511, palm oil and its fractions. Digits 5-6: 10: Subheading 1511.10, crude palm oil. Crude means extracted only by physical methods such as pressing and centrifugation, without refining, bleaching, deodorizing, or other chemical treatment. Note: crude coconut oil is classified under 1513.11, and crude palm kernel oil is classified under 1513.21. This product is crude palm oil, not chemically modified, and is palm oil rather than palm kernel oil, so it is classified under 1511.10. If refined, it would be classified under 1511.90; if it were palm kernel oil, it would be classified under 1513.21; if hydrogenated, it would be classified under 1516.
Chapter
Chapter 15 covers animal and vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, animal and vegetable waxes. It includes crude and refined oils extracted from animal fats or vegetable oils, as well as modified oils such as hydrogenated and interesterified oils. However, it excludes unrendered animal fats (Chapter 2) and chemically synthesized oils (Chapter 29).
Heading
Heading 1511 covers palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. It includes crude palm oil, refined palm oil, palm stearin, palm olein, etc. However, palm kernel oil is classified under 1513, and biodiesel made from palm oil is classified under 3826.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 15: Chapter 15, animal and vegetable fats and oils. Digits 3-4: 11: Heading 1511, palm oil and its fractions. Digits 5-6: 10: Subheading 1511.10, crude palm oil. Crude means extracted only by physical methods such as pressing and centrifugation, without refining, bleaching, deodorizing, or other chemical treatment. Note: crude coconut oil is classified under 1513.11, and crude palm kernel oil is classified under 1513.21.
Classification Basis
This product is crude palm oil, not chemically modified, and is palm oil rather than palm kernel oil, so it is classified under 1511.10. If refined, it would be classified under 1511.90; if it were palm kernel oil, it would be classified under 1513.21; if hydrogenated, it would be classified under 1516.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared product, such as "crude palm oil"; generic or colloquial names must not be used. Processing method: Describe the extraction process, such as "pressing" or "centrifugal separation," and indicate whether it has been refined. Whether chemically modified: Declare whether it has undergone chemical modification such as hydrogenation or interesterification; for this code it should be "not modified." Composition content: Main fatty acid composition or triglyceride content, such as the proportions of palmitic acid and oleic acid. Packaging specifications: Indicate the packaging type and net weight, such as "bulk" or "190 kg steel drum." Brand: Manufacturer or trader brand; if none, enter "none." Use: Main use, such as "food," "cosmetic raw material," or "industrial use." Product name: crude palm oil; processing method: pressing, centrifugal separation, unrefined; whether chemically modified: no; composition content: palmitic acid 44%, oleic acid 39%, linoleic acid 10%; packaging specifications: bulk, net weight 1000 tons; brand: none; use: food. Mistakenly declaring refined palm oil as crude, resulting in incorrect classification. Failing to distinguish palm oil from palm kernel oil; the latter should be classified under 1513. Ignoring the "whether chemically modified" element, which may lead to incorrect classification under 1516.
Product name
The specific name of the declared product, such as "crude palm oil"; generic or colloquial names must not be used.
⚠️ Mistakenly declared as "palm oil" or "edible palm oil," without distinguishing crude from refined.
Processing method
Describe the extraction process, such as "pressing" or "centrifugal separation," and indicate whether it has been refined.
⚠️ Writing only "crude" without specifying the process, or mistakenly declaring refined oil as crude.
Whether chemically modified
Declare whether it has undergone chemical modification such as hydrogenation or interesterification; for this code it should be "not modified."
⚠️ Omitting this element, leading to confusion with 1516.
Composition content
Main fatty acid composition or triglyceride content, such as the proportions of palmitic acid and oleic acid.
⚠️ Incomplete information or writing only "100% palm oil," lacking specific indicators.
Packaging specifications
Indicate the packaging type and net weight, such as "bulk" or "190 kg steel drum."
⚠️ Failing to indicate net weight, or vague packaging description.
Brand
Manufacturer or trader brand; if none, enter "none."
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer, or omitting it.
Use
Main use, such as "food," "cosmetic raw material," or "industrial use."
⚠️ Use is too broad, such as "industrial use" without further detail.
Mistakenly declaring refined palm oil as crude, resulting in incorrect classification.
Failing to distinguish palm oil from palm kernel oil; the latter should be classified under 1513.
Ignoring the "whether chemically modified" element, which may lead to incorrect classification under 1516.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification basis: 1) the product is palm oil, not palm kernel oil; 2) it is not chemically modified; 3) it has only undergone crude processing and has not been refined. This conforms to the notes to Chapter 15 of the Tariff and the terms of subheading 1511. Crude means only physical methods such as pressing and centrifugation are used; if degumming, deacidification, or other refining is performed, it is classified under 1511.90. 1511.90 Refined palm oil: Different processing method: 1511.10 is crude, while 1511.90 is refined (bleaching, deodorizing, etc.). 1513.21 Crude palm kernel oil: Different raw material: 1511 is from oil palm mesocarp, while 1513 is from oil palm kernel. 1516.20 Hydrogenated palm oil: Chemical modification: 1516 has undergone hydrogenation, interesterification, etc., while 1511 is unmodified. 1517.90 Mixed palm oil: 1517 is mixed fats and oils, while 1511 is single palm oil. Is it confirmed to be unrefined? Is it confirmed not to be chemically modified? Is it confirmed that the raw material is oil palm mesocarp? Is the fatty acid composition provided? Is crude distinguished from refined?
Basis
Core classification basis: 1) the product is palm oil, not palm kernel oil; 2) it is not chemically modified; 3) it has only undergone crude processing and has not been refined. This conforms to the notes to Chapter 15 of the Tariff and the terms of subheading 1511. Crude means only physical methods such as pressing and centrifugation are used; if degumming, deacidification, or other refining is performed, it is classified under 1511.90.
Confused Codes：
1511.90 - Refined palm oil
Different processing method: 1511.10 is crude, while 1511.90 is refined (bleaching, deodorizing, etc.).
1513.21 - Crude palm kernel oil
Different raw material: 1511 is from oil palm mesocarp, while 1513 is from oil palm kernel.
1516.20 - Hydrogenated palm oil
Chemical modification: 1516 has undergone hydrogenation, interesterification, etc., while 1511 is unmodified.
1517.90 - Mixed palm oil
1517 is mixed fats and oils, while 1511 is single palm oil.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it confirmed to be unrefined?
✓ Is it confirmed not to be chemically modified?
✓ Is it confirmed that the raw material is oil palm mesocarp?
✓ Is the fatty acid composition provided?
✓ Is crude distinguished from refined?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between crude palm oil and refined palm oil? Crude palm oil is classified under 1511.10, and refined palm oil under 1511.90. The difference lies in the processing method: crude is only subjected to physical treatments such as pressing and centrifugation, while refined undergoes chemical or physical refining such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, and deodorizing. A description of the processing technology is required at declaration. How can it be determined whether palm oil has been chemically modified? Chemical modification includes hydrogenation, interesterification, hydrolysis, etc. If only physically refined, it still falls under 1511; if hydrogenated, it is classified under 1516. The production process can be reviewed, or the trans fatty acid content can be tested (hydrogenation produces trans fats). What is the difference in HS codes between palm oil and palm kernel oil? Palm oil comes from oil palm mesocarp and is classified under 1511; palm kernel oil comes from oil palm kernel and is classified under 1513. Their fatty acid compositions differ: palm oil is rich in palmitic acid, while palm kernel oil is rich in lauric acid. The source of raw materials must be indicated at declaration. Is it necessary to provide composition content when declaring crude palm oil? Yes, composition content is an important declaration element, and the main fatty acid composition (such as the proportions of palmitic acid and oleic acid) must be provided. This helps customs confirm classification and is used for risk analysis. It is recommended to provide a test report. If palm oil has been bleached but not deodorized, which code should it be classified under? Bleaching is a refining step; even if not deodorized, it has already gone beyond the crude stage and should be classified under 1511.90. Crude refers only to oils and fats that have not undergone any refining treatment. For cross-border e-commerce sales of crude palm oil, how can the corresponding HS code be queried? You can log on to the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the "Single Window" to query, enter the keyword "crude palm oil," and the system will show 1511.10. You may also refer to the commodity catalog of the Import and Export Tariff. Be sure to confirm the processing method and use. How are crude palm oil and crude coconut oil distinguished in HS codes? Crude coconut oil is classified under 1513.11, and crude palm oil under 1511.10. The main difference is the raw material: coconut oil comes from coconut meat, while palm oil comes from oil palm mesocarp. The raw material must be indicated at declaration. What regulatory documents are required for importing crude palm oil? Imports of crude palm oil generally require an automatic import license, certificate of origin, sanitary certificate, test report, etc. The specific requirements are subject to the latest customs requirements. It is recommended to consult a customs broker in advance or check announcements from the General Administration of Customs.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between crude palm oil and refined palm oil?
A: Crude palm oil is classified under 1511.10, and refined palm oil under 1511.90. The difference lies in the processing method: crude is only subjected to physical treatments such as pressing and centrifugation, while refined undergoes chemical or physical refining such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, and deodorizing. A description of the processing technology is required at declaration.
Q: How can it be determined whether palm oil has been chemically modified?
A: Chemical modification includes hydrogenation, interesterification, hydrolysis, etc. If only physically refined, it still falls under 1511; if hydrogenated, it is classified under 1516. The production process can be reviewed, or the trans fatty acid content can be tested (hydrogenation produces trans fats).
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between palm oil and palm kernel oil?
A: Palm oil comes from oil palm mesocarp and is classified under 1511; palm kernel oil comes from oil palm kernel and is classified under 1513. Their fatty acid compositions differ: palm oil is rich in palmitic acid, while palm kernel oil is rich in lauric acid. The source of raw materials must be indicated at declaration.
Q: Is it necessary to provide composition content when declaring crude palm oil?
A: Yes, composition content is an important declaration element, and the main fatty acid composition (such as the proportions of palmitic acid and oleic acid) must be provided. This helps customs confirm classification and is used for risk analysis. It is recommended to provide a test report.
Q: If palm oil has been bleached but not deodorized, which code should it be classified under?
A: Bleaching is a refining step; even if not deodorized, it has already gone beyond the crude stage and should be classified under 1511.90. Crude refers only to oils and fats that have not undergone any refining treatment.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of crude palm oil, how can the corresponding HS code be queried?
A: You can log on to the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the "Single Window" to query, enter the keyword "crude palm oil," and the system will show 1511.10. You may also refer to the commodity catalog of the Import and Export Tariff. Be sure to confirm the processing method and use.
Q: How are crude palm oil and crude coconut oil distinguished in HS codes?
A: Crude coconut oil is classified under 1513.11, and crude palm oil under 1511.10. The main difference is the raw material: coconut oil comes from coconut meat, while palm oil comes from oil palm mesocarp. The raw material must be indicated at declaration.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for importing crude palm oil?
A: Imports of crude palm oil generally require an automatic import license, certificate of origin, sanitary certificate, test report, etc. The specific requirements are subject to the latest customs requirements. It is recommended to consult a customs broker in advance or check announcements from the General Administration of Customs.
⚠️ 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.