HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1505.00 – Wool grease and fatty substances derived therefrom (including lanolin)
HS code 1505.00 is the 6-digit subheading for wool grease and fatty substances derived therefrom (including lanolin). It is used for crude wool grease, anhydrous lanolin, lanolin alcohols, lanolin derivatives and pharmaceutical-grade lanolin.
What HS 1505.00 covers
This HS code covers wool grease and fatty substances derived therefrom, including lanolin, a natural wax extracted from sheep's wool. Lanolin is a highly valued commodity in international trade due to its unique emollient, protective, and emulsifying properties, making it indispensable across various industries. Major wool-producing nations like Australia, New Zealand, and China are significant exporters of crude wool grease, which is then processed into refined lanolin and its derivatives. Importers include pharmaceutical companies (for ointments, creams), cosmetic manufacturers (for lotions, lip balms), and industrial sectors (for lubricants, rust preventatives) primarily in North America, Europe, and Japan. The trade emphasizes purity, specific grades (e.g., pharmaceutical, cosmetic), and compliance with regulatory standards. Market dynamics are influenced by global wool production, demand from end-user industries, and advancements in purification technologies, making it a specialized but essential raw material.
- Covers
- Crude wool grease
- Anhydrous lanolin
- Lanolin alcohols
- Lanolin derivatives
- Pharmaceutical-grade lanolin
- Cosmetic-grade lanolin
- Industrial lanolin
- Examples
- Croda Lanolin
- Lubrizol Lanolin
- NK Chemicals Lanolin
- The Chemistry Brand Lanolin
Codes often confused with 1505.00
Common mistake. Can be confused with 150600 (other animal fats and oils) if not specifically derived from wool, or 340219 (organic surface-active agents) if highly processed into a finished product.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 150500, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 150500 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 19% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $45M 22% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $33M 16% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $24M 12% of world exports
World total: $207M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $36M 19% of world imports
- 2 United States $25M 13% of world imports
- 3 Japan $16M 8.7% of world imports
World total: $189M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM codes for 1505.00 2
Brazil splits HS 1505.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 15.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1505.00
What is HS code 150500?
HS code 150500 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Wool grease and fatty substances derived therefrom (including lanolin). This HS code covers wool grease and fatty substances derived therefrom, including lanolin, a natural wax extracted from sheep's wool. Lanolin is a highly valued commodity in international trade due to its unique emollient, protective, and emulsifying properties, making it indispensable across various industries. Major wool-producing nations like Australia, New Zealand, and China are significant exporters of crude wool grease, which is then processed into refined lanolin and its derivatives. Importers include pharmaceutical companies (for ointments, creams), cosmetic manufacturers (for lotions, lip balms), and industrial sectors (for lubricants, rust preventatives) primarily in North America, Europe, and Japan. The trade emphasizes purity, specific grades (e.g., pharmaceutical, cosmetic), and compliance with regulatory standards. Market dynamics are influenced by global wool production, demand from end-user industries, and advancements in purification technologies, making it a specialized but essential raw material.
What products fall under HS code 150500?
Crude wool grease, anhydrous lanolin, lanolin alcohols, lanolin derivatives, pharmaceutical-grade lanolin, cosmetic-grade lanolin, industrial lanolin
What are common misclassifications for HS code 150500?
Can be confused with 150600 (other animal fats and oils) if not specifically derived from wool, or 340219 (organic surface-active agents) if highly processed into a finished product.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 150500?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 150500 in UN Comtrade data were China ($45M, 22% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($33M) and Belgium ($24M). World exports came to about $207M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 150500?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 150500 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($36M, 19% of world imports), the United States ($25M) and Japan ($16M). World imports came to about $189M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 150500 structured?
HS code 150500 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (15) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 150500?
Brazil splits HS code 150500 into 2 NCM codes: 1505.00.10 (Lanolin), 1505.00.90 (Wool grease and derivatives other than lanolin). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.