HS Code 15.11 – Palm oil and its fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

HS code 1511 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Palm oil and its fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. Heading 1511 covers palm oil and its various fractions, encompassing products that are whether or not refined but explicitly not chemically modified. This broad classification includes crude palm oil (CPO) extracted from the fruit of the oil palm, as well as its refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) forms. Crucially, it also covers specific fractions derived from palm oil through physical separation processes, such as palm olein (the liquid fraction) and palm stearin (the solid fraction). The 'not chemically modified' clause is a vital boundary, distinguishing these products from derivatives like hydrogenated palm oil, which fall under different headings. This heading is central to global trade due to palm oil's versatility and widespread use in food manufacturing (e.g., cooking oils, confectionery, margarine), cosmetics, and increasingly, as a feedstock for biofuels. For trade compliance professionals, accurate classification under 1511 is paramount, influencing import duties, export subsidies, and adherence to sustainability certifications like RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil), which are increasingly mandated in major importing regions. The sheer volume of palm oil traded globally underscores its economic significance within Chapter 15, which details animal or vegetable fats and oils, highlighting its role as a fundamental commodity in the international marketplace.

Crude palm oil (CPO), refined palm oil, bleached palm oil, deodorized palm oil, RBD palm oil, palm olein, super palm olein, palm stearin, palm mid-fraction, red palm oil, organic palm oil, sustainably sourced palm oil, fractionated palm oil, palm oil for frying, palm oil for confectionery, palm oil for cosmetics, bulk palm oil, packaged palm oil, industrial palm oil, cooking palm oil, shortening ingredient, margarine ingredient, biodiesel feedstock (as crude/refined oil before chemical modification), solid palm oil, liquid palm oil, specialized palm oil fractions for specific food applications, unrefined palm oil.

A frequent misclassification involves confusing palm oil (HS 1511) with palm kernel oil (HS 1513). While both originate from the same palm tree, palm oil is extracted from the fruit pulp, whereas palm kernel oil comes from the kernel, leading to different fatty acid profiles and applications. Another common error is classifying chemically modified palm oil products, such as hydrogenated palm oil or interesterified fats, under 1511; these belong under HS 1518. Additionally, palm oil used as a feedstock for biodiesel might be incorrectly classified as biodiesel itself (HS 3826.00) if the chemical modification process has already occurred, rather than as the raw, unmodified oil.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 1511 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($24.4B, 50% of world exports), Malaysia ($14.9B) and Thailand ($1.4B). World exports came to about $48.7B, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 1511 in UN Comtrade data were India ($8.3B, 17% of world imports), Pakistan ($3.8B) and China ($3.5B). World imports came to about $48.6B, 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.

HS code 1511 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 15 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (15) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (11) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.