HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 15.12 – Sun-flower seed, safflower or cotton-seed oil and their fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified
What HS 15.12 covers
Heading 1512 covers a trio of important vegetable oils: sunflower seed oil, safflower oil, and cotton-seed oil, along with their respective fractions. Like other headings in this chapter, it specifies that these oils must be 'whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.' This means the classification includes everything from crude, unrefined oils to highly processed and deodorized versions, provided their chemical structure hasn't been altered (e.g., through hydrogenation or interesterification). The scope encompasses various grades and types, such as high-oleic sunflower oil, standard sunflower oil, and different qualities of cotton-seed oil, each possessing distinct fatty acid profiles and applications. These oils are widely utilized in the food industry for cooking, frying, and salad oils, as well as in the production of margarine and shortenings. Cotton-seed oil also finds industrial uses. For trade compliance, correctly classifying under 1512 is essential due to varying tariff rates, potential quotas, and specific labeling requirements that differ significantly from other vegetable oils. This heading is crucial within Chapter 15, which groups animal or vegetable fats and oils, by delineating specific oil types that play significant roles in global agriculture and food supply chains, often subject to distinct market dynamics and trade policies.
- Covers
- Crude sunflower seed oil
- Refined sunflower seed oil
- High-oleic sunflower oil
- Organic sunflower oil
- Cold-pressed sunflower oil
- Sunflower oil fractions
- Bulk sunflower oil
- Bottled sunflower oil
- Crude safflower oil
- Refined safflower oil
- High-oleic safflower oil
- Organic safflower oil
- Crude cotton-seed oil
- Refined cotton-seed oil
- Edible cotton-seed oil
- Industrial cotton-seed oil
- Cooking cotton-seed oil
- Frying oil (sunflower, cotton-seed)
- Unrefined cotton-seed oil
- Bleached cotton-seed oil
- Deodorized sunflower oil
- High linoleic safflower oil
- Low-linolenic sunflower oil
- Winterized sunflower oil
- Sunflower oil for snack foods.
- Examples
A Ukrainian agricultural conglomerate exports multiple bulk shipments of refined high-oleic sunflower oil to a European snack food manufacturer, capitalizing on its stability for frying. A U.S. company specializes in organic safflower oil, exporting bottled versions to health food retailers in Canada, emphasizing its nutritional profile. An Indian refinery imports large quantities of crude cotton-seed oil from local farmers for further refining and blending into edible cooking oils for the domestic market. An Argentine producer ships refined sunflower oil to a South American food processing plant for use in margarine and other processed foods.
Subheadings under 15.12 4
Codes often confused with 15.12
Common mistake. Common misclassifications for HS 1512 products often involve confusing them with chemically modified versions, which fall under HS 1518. For instance, hydrogenated sunflower oil or interesterified cotton-seed oil should not be classified here due to their altered chemical structure. Another frequent error is misidentifying blends that incorporate other vegetable oils not specified within this heading (e.g., soy oil, rapeseed oil), which would lead to classification under a different, more general heading or a specific blend heading if applicable. Traders also sometimes confuse the raw seeds (HS 1206, 1207) with the extracted oils, or solid residues (oil-cake, HS 2306) with the oil itself.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 1512, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 1512 in UN Comtrade data was Ukraine, with about 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 18% 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 Ukraine* ~$4.9B 26% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Russia* ~$3.8B 20% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Türkiye $1.5B 8.2% of world exports
World total: $18.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $3.5B 18% of world imports
- 2 Türkiye $1.6B 8.3% of world imports
- 3 Italy $1.3B 7.0% of world imports
World total: $19.0B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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.
Questions about HS 15.12
What is HS code 1512?
HS code 1512 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sun-flower seed, safflower or cotton-seed oil and their fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. Heading 1512 covers a trio of important vegetable oils: sunflower seed oil, safflower oil, and cotton-seed oil, along with their respective fractions. Like other headings in this chapter, it specifies that these oils must be 'whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.' This means the classification includes everything from crude, unrefined oils to highly processed and deodorized versions, provided their chemical structure hasn't been altered (e.g., through hydrogenation or interesterification). The scope encompasses various grades and types, such as high-oleic sunflower oil, standard sunflower oil, and different qualities of cotton-seed oil, each possessing distinct fatty acid profiles and applications. These oils are widely utilized in the food industry for cooking, frying, and salad oils, as well as in the production of margarine and shortenings. Cotton-seed oil also finds industrial uses. For trade compliance, correctly classifying under 1512 is essential due to varying tariff rates, potential quotas, and specific labeling requirements that differ significantly from other vegetable oils. This heading is crucial within Chapter 15, which groups animal or vegetable fats and oils, by delineating specific oil types that play significant roles in global agriculture and food supply chains, often subject to distinct market dynamics and trade policies.
What products fall under HS code 1512?
Crude sunflower seed oil, refined sunflower seed oil, high-oleic sunflower oil, organic sunflower oil, cold-pressed sunflower oil, sunflower oil fractions, bulk sunflower oil, bottled sunflower oil, crude safflower oil, refined safflower oil, high-oleic safflower oil, organic safflower oil, crude cotton-seed oil, refined cotton-seed oil, edible cotton-seed oil, industrial cotton-seed oil, cooking cotton-seed oil, frying oil (sunflower, cotton-seed), unrefined cotton-seed oil, bleached cotton-seed oil, deodorized sunflower oil, high linoleic safflower oil, low-linolenic sunflower oil, winterized sunflower oil, sunflower oil for snack foods.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 1512?
Common misclassifications for HS 1512 products often involve confusing them with chemically modified versions, which fall under HS 1518. For instance, hydrogenated sunflower oil or interesterified cotton-seed oil should not be classified here due to their altered chemical structure. Another frequent error is misidentifying blends that incorporate other vegetable oils not specified within this heading (e.g., soy oil, rapeseed oil), which would lead to classification under a different, more general heading or a specific blend heading if applicable. Traders also sometimes confuse the raw seeds (HS 1206, 1207) with the extracted oils, or solid residues (oil-cake, HS 2306) with the oil itself.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 1512?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 1512 in UN Comtrade data were Ukraine (about $4.9B, 26% of world exports), Russia (about $3.8B) and Türkiye ($1.5B). World exports came to about $18.7B, 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 1512?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 1512 in UN Comtrade data were India ($3.5B, 18% of world imports), Türkiye ($1.6B) and Italy ($1.3B). World imports came to about $19.0B, 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 1512 structured?
HS code 1512 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 15 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (15) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (12) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.