HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1511.90 – Vegetable oils; palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified
HS code 1511.90 is the 6-digit subheading for vegetable oils, palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. It is used for refined palm oil, RBD palm olein, RBD palm stearin, fractionated palm oil and hydrogenated palm oil (not chemically modified).
What HS 1511.90 covers
This HS code covers palm oil and its fractions that have undergone refining processes but have not been chemically modified, distinguishing them from crude palm oil. These refined products, such as refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) palm oil, RBD palm olein, and RBD palm stearin, are widely used in the food industry for frying, baking, and as ingredients in confectionery, snacks, and margarine due to their stability and cost-effectiveness. They also find applications in cosmetics and detergents. Key importers include countries with large food processing industries and consumer markets, such as India, China, and various European nations. The main exporters remain Indonesia and Malaysia, which possess extensive refining capacities. Trade in these products is influenced by global commodity prices, food safety standards, and increasingly, sustainability certifications and regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which demand traceability and responsible sourcing.
- Covers
- Refined palm oil
- RBD palm olein
- RBD palm stearin
- Fractionated palm oil
- Hydrogenated palm oil (not chemically modified)
- Palm mid-fraction
- Examples
- Cargill RBD Palm Olein
- Musim Mas RBD Palm Oil
- Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK) Refined Palm Products
- AAK Refined Palm Oil
Codes often confused with 1511.90
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 151110 (crude palm oil) because 151190 specifically covers refined and processed palm oil products, which have different applications and market values compared to their crude counterparts.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 151190, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 151190 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 57% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Pakistan, with 11% 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 Indonesia $21.3B 57% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $11.8B 31% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $1.1B 3.0% of world exports
World total: $37.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Pakistan $3.8B 11% of world imports
- 2 China $3.5B 9.8% of world imports
- 3 United States $1.8B 5.1% of world imports
World total: $35.7B 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 code for 1511.90
Brazil does not split HS 1511.90: its NCM code is 1511.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 15.11 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about HS 1511.90
What is HS code 151190?
HS code 151190 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vegetable oils; palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. This HS code covers palm oil and its fractions that have undergone refining processes but have not been chemically modified, distinguishing them from crude palm oil. These refined products, such as refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) palm oil, RBD palm olein, and RBD palm stearin, are widely used in the food industry for frying, baking, and as ingredients in confectionery, snacks, and margarine due to their stability and cost-effectiveness. They also find applications in cosmetics and detergents. Key importers include countries with large food processing industries and consumer markets, such as India, China, and various European nations. The main exporters remain Indonesia and Malaysia, which possess extensive refining capacities. Trade in these products is influenced by global commodity prices, food safety standards, and increasingly, sustainability certifications and regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which demand traceability and responsible sourcing.
What products fall under HS code 151190?
Refined palm oil, RBD palm olein, RBD palm stearin, Fractionated palm oil, Hydrogenated palm oil (not chemically modified), Palm mid-fraction
What are common misclassifications for HS code 151190?
This code is often confused with 151110 (crude palm oil) because 151190 specifically covers refined and processed palm oil products, which have different applications and market values compared to their crude counterparts.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 151190?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 151190 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($21.3B, 57% of world exports), Malaysia ($11.8B) and the Netherlands ($1.1B). World exports came to about $37.7B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 151190?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 151190 in UN Comtrade data were Pakistan ($3.8B, 11% of world imports), China ($3.5B) and the United States ($1.8B). World imports came to about $35.7B, 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.
How is HS code 151190 structured?
HS code 151190 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (15) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (11) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 151190?
In Brazil, HS code 151190 is NCM 1511.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.