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 materials, refined oils, hardened oils, glycerol, etc., but excludes unrendered animal fats (Chapter 2) and chemically synthesized fats and oils (Chapter 29). Heading 1512 covers sunflower-seed oil, safflower oil, and cotton-seed oil and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. It includes crude, refined, and blended oils, but crude oil and refined oil must be distinguished. First 2 digits 15 = Chapter 15 (Animal and vegetable fats and oils). Digits 3-4: 12 = Heading 1512 (Sunflower-seed oil, safflower oil, cotton-seed oil and their fractions). Digits 5-6: 11 = Subheading 1512.11, specifically crude sunflower-seed oil or safflower oil. The subheading distinguishes crude from non-crude; crude refers to oils extracted from seeds by physical methods such as pressing or centrifugation, without chemical treatment. The product is crude sunflower-seed oil, an oil extracted from sunflower seeds by physical pressing, not chemically modified, meeting the description of Heading 1512. Since it is crude, it is classified under Subheading 1512.11, rather than refined sunflower-seed oil (1512.19) or other headings such as 1515 (other fixed vegetable oils).
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 materials, refined oils, hardened oils, glycerol, etc., but excludes unrendered animal fats (Chapter 2) and chemically synthesized fats and oils (Chapter 29).
Heading
Heading 1512 covers sunflower-seed oil, safflower oil, and cotton-seed oil and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. It includes crude, refined, and blended oils, but crude oil and refined oil must be distinguished.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 15 = Chapter 15 (Animal and vegetable fats and oils). Digits 3-4: 12 = Heading 1512 (Sunflower-seed oil, safflower oil, cotton-seed oil and their fractions). Digits 5-6: 11 = Subheading 1512.11, specifically crude sunflower-seed oil or safflower oil. The subheading distinguishes crude from non-crude; crude refers to oils extracted from seeds by physical methods such as pressing or centrifugation, without chemical treatment.
Classification Basis
The product is crude sunflower-seed oil, an oil extracted from sunflower seeds by physical pressing, not chemically modified, meeting the description of Heading 1512. Since it is crude, it is classified under Subheading 1512.11, rather than refined sunflower-seed oil (1512.19) or other headings such as 1515 (other fixed vegetable oils).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared product, which should be detailed and accurate, such as "crude sunflower-seed oil." Processing Method: Describe the extraction process of the oil, such as cold pressing, hot pressing, centrifugation, etc., which must be a physical method. Composition Content: Main fatty acid composition and content, such as percentages of oleic acid, linoleic acid, etc. Packaging Specifications: Packaging form and net weight, such as bulk, iron drums, bottles, etc. Brand: Product brand or manufacturer name; if no brand, fill in "none." Origin: The planting place of sunflower seeds or the producing country of the oil. Product Name: Crude sunflower-seed oil; Processing Method: Cold pressed; Composition Content: Oleic acid 16%, linoleic acid 70%, palmitic acid 6%, stearic acid 4%; Packaging Specifications: Bulk, net weight 1000 kg; Brand: None; Origin: Ukraine. Confusing crude with refined, incorrectly classifying under 1512.19. Filling in the processing method as "extraction," which does not conform to the definition of crude. Failing to provide specific fatty acid ratios in composition content, affecting classification.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared product, which should be detailed and accurate, such as "crude sunflower-seed oil."
⚠️ Writing only "sunflower-seed oil" without indicating crude, leading to classification errors.
Processing Method
Describe the extraction process of the oil, such as cold pressing, hot pressing, centrifugation, etc., which must be a physical method.
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in "refining" or "chemical extraction," which does not conform to the definition of crude.
Composition Content
Main fatty acid composition and content, such as percentages of oleic acid, linoleic acid, etc.
⚠️ Writing only "100% sunflower-seed oil" without providing specific fatty acid ratios.
Packaging Specifications
Packaging form and net weight, such as bulk, iron drums, bottles, etc.
⚠️ Vaguely writing "drums" without indicating capacity or net weight.
Brand
Product brand or manufacturer name; if no brand, fill in "none."
⚠️ Omitting the brand, causing difficulties in customs valuation or intellectual property verification.
Origin
The planting place of sunflower seeds or the producing country of the oil.
⚠️ Confusing the country of origin with the country of export, affecting tariff preferences.
Confusing crude with refined, incorrectly classifying under 1512.19.
Filling in the processing method as "extraction," which does not conform to the definition of crude.
Failing to provide specific fatty acid ratios in composition content, affecting classification.
🎯 Classification Logic
Classification basis: 1. The product is sunflower-seed oil, belonging to Heading 1512; 2. The processing method is crude (physical pressing), conforming to Subheading 1512.11; 3. Not chemically modified, excluding 1516, etc.; 4. Not refined, excluding 1512.19; 5. Not other vegetable oils, excluding 1515. 1512.19 Refined sunflower-seed oil: Different processing method: 1512.19 is refined oil, subjected to chemical or physical refining such as degumming and deacidification; 1512.11 is crude, only physically pressed. 1515.11 Crude linseed oil: Different raw material: 1515.11 is linseed oil, 1512.11 is sunflower-seed oil or safflower oil. 1516.20 Hydrogenated sunflower-seed oil: Chemically modified (hydrogenated), while 1512.11 is not chemically modified. 1517.90 Blended vegetable oil: 1517.90 is blended oil, 1512.11 is single sunflower-seed oil. Is it physically pressed and unrefined? Is it sourced from sunflower seeds or safflower seeds? Is it not chemically modified? Is the packaging suitable for crude oil? Is the fatty acid composition provided?
Basis
Classification basis: 1. The product is sunflower-seed oil, belonging to Heading 1512; 2. The processing method is crude (physical pressing), conforming to Subheading 1512.11; 3. Not chemically modified, excluding 1516, etc.; 4. Not refined, excluding 1512.19; 5. Not other vegetable oils, excluding 1515.
Confused Codes：
1512.19 - Refined sunflower-seed oil
Different processing method: 1512.19 is refined oil, subjected to chemical or physical refining such as degumming and deacidification; 1512.11 is crude, only physically pressed.
1515.11 - Crude linseed oil
Different raw material: 1515.11 is linseed oil, 1512.11 is sunflower-seed oil or safflower oil.
1516.20 - Hydrogenated sunflower-seed oil
Chemically modified (hydrogenated), while 1512.11 is not chemically modified.
1517.90 - Blended vegetable oil
1517.90 is blended oil, 1512.11 is single sunflower-seed oil.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it physically pressed and unrefined?
✓ Is it sourced from sunflower seeds or safflower seeds?
✓ Is it not chemically modified?
✓ Is the packaging suitable for crude oil?
✓ Is the fatty acid composition provided?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between crude sunflower-seed oil and refined sunflower-seed oil? Crude sunflower-seed oil is classified under 1512.11, and refined sunflower-seed oil under 1512.19. The difference lies in the processing method: crude is extracted only by physical methods such as pressing or centrifugation, without chemical treatment; refined undergoes refining processes such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, and deodorization. How to determine whether sunflower-seed oil is "crude"? Crude means the oil is extracted from seeds by mechanical pressing or centrifugation, without chemical solvent extraction or refining. Key indicators include: low acid value, retention of natural color and flavor, no chemical additives. Processing method documentation must be provided at declaration. If sunflower-seed oil is hydrogenated, which code should it be classified under? Hydrogenated sunflower-seed oil is a chemically modified oil and should be classified under 1516.20 (Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, hydrogenated, esterified, or elaidinized). The difference from 1512.11 is whether it has been chemically modified. What declaration elements are required for importing crude sunflower-seed oil? Product name, processing method, composition content, packaging specifications, brand, origin, etc. are required. The processing method must be clearly stated as crude (e.g., cold pressed, hot pressed), and the composition content must list the main fatty acid ratios for correct customs classification. Why are crude sunflower-seed oil and safflower oil in the same subheading? Because in HS classification, sunflower-seed oil and safflower oil have similar fatty acid composition and uses, and the same crude process, they are combined under Subheading 1512.11. However, the specific variety must still be indicated at declaration. If sunflower-seed oil is blended with other vegetable oils, how should it be classified? Blended vegetable oils are usually classified under 1517.90, but if the blending is only for a specific use and does not change the basic characteristics, it may still be classified according to the main component. It is recommended to consult customs based on the blending ratio and use. How to check the tariff rate for crude sunflower-seed oil? The tariff rate depends on the country of origin, trade agreements, and the current year's tariff schedule. The latest rates can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the "Single Window," or by consulting a professional customs broker. Note that rates change, and specific values are not provided. What are the precautions for cross-border e-commerce retail import of crude sunflower-seed oil? It must comply with the cross-border e-commerce retail import commodity list, and order, payment, and logistics information must be provided at declaration. Note the personal annual transaction limit and the need to pay cross-border e-commerce comprehensive tax. It is recommended to confirm in advance whether the product is on the positive list.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between crude sunflower-seed oil and refined sunflower-seed oil?
A: Crude sunflower-seed oil is classified under 1512.11, and refined sunflower-seed oil under 1512.19. The difference lies in the processing method: crude is extracted only by physical methods such as pressing or centrifugation, without chemical treatment; refined undergoes refining processes such as degumming, deacidification, bleaching, and deodorization.
Q: How to determine whether sunflower-seed oil is "crude"?
A: Crude means the oil is extracted from seeds by mechanical pressing or centrifugation, without chemical solvent extraction or refining. Key indicators include: low acid value, retention of natural color and flavor, no chemical additives. Processing method documentation must be provided at declaration.
Q: If sunflower-seed oil is hydrogenated, which code should it be classified under?
A: Hydrogenated sunflower-seed oil is a chemically modified oil and should be classified under 1516.20 (Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, hydrogenated, esterified, or elaidinized). The difference from 1512.11 is whether it has been chemically modified.
Q: What declaration elements are required for importing crude sunflower-seed oil?
A: Product name, processing method, composition content, packaging specifications, brand, origin, etc. are required. The processing method must be clearly stated as crude (e.g., cold pressed, hot pressed), and the composition content must list the main fatty acid ratios for correct customs classification.
Q: Why are crude sunflower-seed oil and safflower oil in the same subheading?
A: Because in HS classification, sunflower-seed oil and safflower oil have similar fatty acid composition and uses, and the same crude process, they are combined under Subheading 1512.11. However, the specific variety must still be indicated at declaration.
Q: If sunflower-seed oil is blended with other vegetable oils, how should it be classified?
A: Blended vegetable oils are usually classified under 1517.90, but if the blending is only for a specific use and does not change the basic characteristics, it may still be classified according to the main component. It is recommended to consult customs based on the blending ratio and use.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for crude sunflower-seed oil?
A: The tariff rate depends on the country of origin, trade agreements, and the current year's tariff schedule. The latest rates can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the "Single Window," or by consulting a professional customs broker. Note that rates change, and specific values are not provided.
Q: What are the precautions for cross-border e-commerce retail import of crude sunflower-seed oil?
A: It must comply with the cross-border e-commerce retail import commodity list, and order, payment, and logistics information must be provided at declaration. Note the personal annual transaction limit and the need to pay cross-border e-commerce comprehensive tax. It is recommended to confirm in advance whether the product is on the positive list.
⚠️ 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.