Chapter 15 covers animal and vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, animal and vegetable waxes. It includes crude oils extracted from animal and vegetable raw materials, refined oils, hardened oils, glycerides, and waxes. The fats and oils in this chapter are classified by source and degree of processing, and are important basic commodities for food, chemicals, and biofuels. 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. Refined palm oil refers to products that have undergone degumming, deacidification, bleaching, deodorization, and other processes, but have not undergone chemical modification such as hydrogenation or interesterification. First 2 digits 15: indicates Chapter 15, animal and vegetable fats and oils. Digits 3-4, 11: indicates heading 1511, palm oil and its fractions. Digits 5-6, 90: indicates subheading 1511.90, namely other palm oil and its fractions, including refined palm oil. Note that 1511.10 is crude palm oil, while 1511.90 covers refined and other palm oil. This commodity is refined palm oil, which has been refined but not chemically modified, and conforms to the description of subheading 1511.90. It is different from 1511.10 crude palm oil (only mechanically pressed), and also different from 1513.19 coconut oil, etc. If hydrogenated, it is classified under 1516; if saponified, it is classified under Chapter 38.
Chapter
Chapter 15 covers animal and vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, animal and vegetable waxes. It includes crude oils extracted from animal and vegetable raw materials, refined oils, hardened oils, glycerides, and waxes. The fats and oils in this chapter are classified by source and degree of processing, and are important basic commodities for food, chemicals, and biofuels.
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. Refined palm oil refers to products that have undergone degumming, deacidification, bleaching, deodorization, and other processes, but have not undergone chemical modification such as hydrogenation or interesterification.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 15: indicates Chapter 15, animal and vegetable fats and oils. Digits 3-4, 11: indicates heading 1511, palm oil and its fractions. Digits 5-6, 90: indicates subheading 1511.90, namely other palm oil and its fractions, including refined palm oil. Note that 1511.10 is crude palm oil, while 1511.90 covers refined and other palm oil.
Classification Basis
This commodity is refined palm oil, which has been refined but not chemically modified, and conforms to the description of subheading 1511.90. It is different from 1511.10 crude palm oil (only mechanically pressed), and also different from 1513.19 coconut oil, etc. If hydrogenated, it is classified under 1516; if saponified, it is classified under Chapter 38.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as refined palm oil, palm olein, etc., which must be consistent with the contract and invoice. Processing method: State whether refining has been carried out, such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, deodorization, etc., and whether chemical modification has been carried out. Composition content: Main fatty acid composition, such as palmitic acid and oleic acid content, or free fatty acid content. Packaging specifications: Packaging method and specifications, such as bulk, drum, retail packaging, etc., which affect classification and declaration. Brand: Manufacturer or trader brand; if there is no brand, declare 'none'. Use: Main use, such as edible or industrial use (soap making, cosmetics, etc.). Melting point: The melting point range of palm oil products, distinguishing olein, stearin, etc. Product name: Refined palm oil (RBD Palm Oil); Processing method: refined by degumming, deacidification, bleaching, and deodorization, not chemically modified; Composition content: palmitic acid 44%, oleic acid 39%, free fatty acids <=0.1%; Packaging specifications: bulk, 200 kg/drum; Brand: none; Use: edible; Melting point: 24 degrees C. Confusing crude with refined: crude is classified under 1511.10, refined under 1511.90. Failure to distinguish whether chemically modified: hydrogenated oil is classified under 1516, not 1511. Ignoring retail packaging: retail-packaged refined palm oil may be classified under 1511.90.10. Incomplete composition declaration: missing free fatty acid or melting point data.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as refined palm oil, palm olein, etc., which must be consistent with the contract and invoice.
⚠️ Writing only 'palm oil' without distinguishing refined from crude.
Processing method
State whether refining has been carried out, such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, deodorization, etc., and whether chemical modification has been carried out.
⚠️ Mistakenly describing the refining process as hydrogenation or interesterification.
Composition content
Main fatty acid composition, such as palmitic acid and oleic acid content, or free fatty acid content.
⚠️ Ignoring the free fatty acid indicator, leading to classification disputes.
Packaging specifications
Packaging method and specifications, such as bulk, drum, retail packaging, etc., which affect classification and declaration.
⚠️ Failure to indicate whether it is retail packaging, which may lead to incorrect classification under 1511.90.10.
Brand
Manufacturer or trader brand; if there is no brand, declare 'none'.
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer, or failing to declare it.
Use
Main use, such as edible or industrial use (soap making, cosmetics, etc.).
⚠️ Writing 'industrial use' in general terms without specific explanation.
Melting point
The melting point range of palm oil products, distinguishing olein, stearin, etc.
⚠️ Failure to provide melting point, resulting in unclear subheading determination.
Confusing crude with refined: crude is classified under 1511.10, refined under 1511.90.
Failure to distinguish whether chemically modified: hydrogenated oil is classified under 1516, not 1511.
Ignoring retail packaging: retail-packaged refined palm oil may be classified under 1511.90.10.
Incomplete composition declaration: missing free fatty acid or melting point data.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is whether the commodity has been refined and whether it has been chemically modified. Refined palm oil has undergone degumming, deacidification, bleaching, deodorization, etc., but has not been hydrogenated or interesterified, and therefore conforms to 1511.90. If it is crude, it is classified under 1511.10. If chemically modified, it is classified under 1516. Packaging specifications must also be considered, as retail packaging may affect the subheading. 1511.10 Crude palm oil: Only mechanically pressed, not refined, with higher free fatty acids and darker color. Refined oil is refined and has low free fatty acids. 1513.19 Refined coconut oil: Different source: coconut oil comes from coconut meat, palm oil comes from palm fruit. The fatty acid composition differs greatly. 1516.20 Hydrogenated palm oil: Hydrogenated and modified, with lower iodine value and higher melting point, classified under 1516. Refined palm oil is not chemically modified. 1517.90 Mixed edible oil: Made by mixing multiple oils and fats, such as palm oil mixed with soybean oil, classified under 1517. Single palm oil is classified under 1511. 3823.70 Industrial fatty acids: Fatty acids obtained by hydrolysis of palm oil, classified under 3823. Refined palm oil is a triglyceride. Has it been refined? Has it been chemically modified? Is it retail packaged? Does the free fatty acid content exceed the standard? Is it mixed with other oils or fats?
Basis
The core basis for classification is whether the commodity has been refined and whether it has been chemically modified. Refined palm oil has undergone degumming, deacidification, bleaching, deodorization, etc., but has not been hydrogenated or interesterified, and therefore conforms to 1511.90. If it is crude, it is classified under 1511.10. If chemically modified, it is classified under 1516. Packaging specifications must also be considered, as retail packaging may affect the subheading.
Confused Codes：
1511.10 - Crude palm oil
Only mechanically pressed, not refined, with higher free fatty acids and darker color. Refined oil is refined and has low free fatty acids.
1513.19 - Refined coconut oil
Different source: coconut oil comes from coconut meat, palm oil comes from palm fruit. The fatty acid composition differs greatly.
1516.20 - Hydrogenated palm oil
Hydrogenated and modified, with lower iodine value and higher melting point, classified under 1516. Refined palm oil is not chemically modified.
1517.90 - Mixed edible oil
Made by mixing multiple oils and fats, such as palm oil mixed with soybean oil, classified under 1517. Single palm oil is classified under 1511.
3823.70 - Industrial fatty acids
Fatty acids obtained by hydrolysis of palm oil, classified under 3823. Refined palm oil is a triglyceride.
Self-Check：
✓ Has it been refined?
✓ Has it been chemically modified?
✓ Is it retail packaged?
✓ Does the free fatty acid content exceed the standard?
✓ Is it mixed with other oils or fats?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between refined palm oil and crude palm oil? Crude palm oil is classified under 1511.10 and is only mechanically pressed and not refined; refined palm oil is classified under 1511.90 and has undergone refining processes such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, and deodorization. Proof of processing method must be provided at declaration. How can it be determined whether palm oil has been chemically modified? Chemical modification includes hydrogenation, interesterification, hydrolysis, etc. If only refined and the triglyceride structure has not been changed, then it has not been chemically modified. Hydrogenated oil has a lower iodine value and is classified under 1516; fatty acids obtained by hydrolysis are classified under 3823. Are there special rules for the classification of retail-packaged refined palm oil? Yes. Retail-packaged refined palm oil may be classified under 1511.90.10 (retail packaging) rather than 1511.90.90 (other). The packaging specifications must be stated at declaration, such as 'retail packaging, net weight per unit <=1 kg'. How are palm oil and palm kernel oil distinguished in HS codes? Palm oil comes from palm fruit mesocarp and is classified under 1511; palm kernel oil comes from palm kernels and is classified under 1513.21 (crude) or 1513.29 (refined). The two have different fatty acid compositions: palm oil is rich in palmitic acid, while palm kernel oil is rich in lauric acid. What indicators should be provided for the composition content when declaring refined palm oil? It is recommended to provide the main fatty acid composition (such as palmitic acid and oleic acid), free fatty acid content, melting point, iodine value, etc. These indicators help customs determine classification and whether the product meets food safety standards. If refined palm oil is used for industrial purposes, will the classification change? Classification mainly depends on the processing method and chemical modification, not the use. Industrial refined palm oil, if not chemically modified, is still classified under 1511.90. However, if further processed into fatty acids or soap, it is classified under Chapter 38. How can the import tariff rate for refined palm oil be checked? Tariff rates change. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website, the International Trade Single Window, or professional databases. Attention should be paid to the applicable conditions for MFN rates, agreement rates, and general rates. What is the difference in classification between refined palm oil and mixed palm oil? Single refined palm oil is classified under 1511.90; if mixed with other oils or fats, such as palm oil mixed with soybean oil, it is classified under 1517.90. For mixed oil, the mixing ratio and composition must be provided.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between refined palm oil and crude palm oil?
A: Crude palm oil is classified under 1511.10 and is only mechanically pressed and not refined; refined palm oil is classified under 1511.90 and has undergone refining processes such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, and deodorization. Proof of processing method must be provided 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 refined and the triglyceride structure has not been changed, then it has not been chemically modified. Hydrogenated oil has a lower iodine value and is classified under 1516; fatty acids obtained by hydrolysis are classified under 3823.
Q: Are there special rules for the classification of retail-packaged refined palm oil?
A: Yes. Retail-packaged refined palm oil may be classified under 1511.90.10 (retail packaging) rather than 1511.90.90 (other). The packaging specifications must be stated at declaration, such as 'retail packaging, net weight per unit <=1 kg'.
Q: How are palm oil and palm kernel oil distinguished in HS codes?
A: Palm oil comes from palm fruit mesocarp and is classified under 1511; palm kernel oil comes from palm kernels and is classified under 1513.21 (crude) or 1513.29 (refined). The two have different fatty acid compositions: palm oil is rich in palmitic acid, while palm kernel oil is rich in lauric acid.
Q: What indicators should be provided for the composition content when declaring refined palm oil?
A: It is recommended to provide the main fatty acid composition (such as palmitic acid and oleic acid), free fatty acid content, melting point, iodine value, etc. These indicators help customs determine classification and whether the product meets food safety standards.
Q: If refined palm oil is used for industrial purposes, will the classification change?
A: Classification mainly depends on the processing method and chemical modification, not the use. Industrial refined palm oil, if not chemically modified, is still classified under 1511.90. However, if further processed into fatty acids or soap, it is classified under Chapter 38.
Q: How can the import tariff rate for refined palm oil be checked?
A: Tariff rates change. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website, the International Trade Single Window, or professional databases. Attention should be paid to the applicable conditions for MFN rates, agreement rates, and general rates.
Q: What is the difference in classification between refined palm oil and mixed palm oil?
A: Single refined palm oil is classified under 1511.90; if mixed with other oils or fats, such as palm oil mixed with soybean oil, it is classified under 1517.90. For mixed oil, the mixing ratio and composition must be provided.
⚠️ 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.