HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1512.21 – Vegetable oils; cotton-seed oil and its fractions; crude, whether or not gossypol has been removed, not chemically modified
HS code 1512.21 is the 6-digit subheading for vegetable oils, cotton-seed oil and its fractions, crude, whether or not gossypol has been removed, not chemically modified. It is used for crude cottonseed oil, unrefined cottonseed oil, cottonseed oil with gossypol, degossypolized crude cottonseed oil and cottonseed oil for refining.
What HS 1512.21 covers
This HS code covers crude cotton-seed oil and its fractions, which have not been chemically modified, and may or may not have had gossypol removed. Crude cottonseed oil is a byproduct of cotton production and is primarily destined for further refining into edible oil. It is valued for its stability and neutral flavor after refining, making it suitable for frying, baking, and as an ingredient in processed foods like snack foods and margarine. Major importers include countries with large food processing industries or those that do not produce sufficient cotton domestically, such as China, India, and various countries in the Middle East and Africa. The leading exporters are typically major cotton-producing nations like the USA, Brazil, India, and China (which also imports). Trade is influenced by global cotton harvests, demand for edible oils, and the efficiency of oil extraction and refining processes. The presence or removal of gossypol, a natural pigment, is a key characteristic affecting its processing and end-use.
- Covers
- Crude cottonseed oil
- Unrefined cottonseed oil
- Cottonseed oil with gossypol
- Degossypolized crude cottonseed oil
- Cottonseed oil for refining
- Crude cottonseed stearin
- Examples
- Bunge Crude Cottonseed Oil
- Cargill Crude Cottonseed Oil
- ADM Crude Cottonseed Oil
- Louis Dreyfus Company Crude Cottonseed Oil
Codes often confused with 1512.21
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 151229 (refined cottonseed oil) because 151221 specifically covers the crude, unrefined form, which requires further processing to be suitable for human consumption.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 151221, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 151221 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 26% of world imports. Tajikistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 41% of its imports here ($1.0M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $5.2M 33% of world exports
- 2 Azerbaijan $4.2M 27% of world exports
- 3 Côte d'Ivoire $2.7M 17% of world exports
World total: $16M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Türkiye $2.0M 26% of world imports
- 2 Tajikistan* ~$1.1M 14% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 India $1.1M 14% of world imports
Tajikistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 41% of its imports here ($1.0M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $7.9M 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.
Brazil NCM code for 1512.21
Brazil does not split HS 1512.21: its NCM code is 1512.21.00.
- 1512.21.00 Crude cotton-seed oil, gossypol removed or notÓleo em bruto, mesmo desprovido de gossipol
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 15.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1512.21
What is HS code 151221?
HS code 151221 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vegetable oils; cotton-seed oil and its fractions; crude, whether or not gossypol has been removed, not chemically modified. This HS code covers crude cotton-seed oil and its fractions, which have not been chemically modified, and may or may not have had gossypol removed. Crude cottonseed oil is a byproduct of cotton production and is primarily destined for further refining into edible oil. It is valued for its stability and neutral flavor after refining, making it suitable for frying, baking, and as an ingredient in processed foods like snack foods and margarine. Major importers include countries with large food processing industries or those that do not produce sufficient cotton domestically, such as China, India, and various countries in the Middle East and Africa. The leading exporters are typically major cotton-producing nations like the USA, Brazil, India, and China (which also imports). Trade is influenced by global cotton harvests, demand for edible oils, and the efficiency of oil extraction and refining processes. The presence or removal of gossypol, a natural pigment, is a key characteristic affecting its processing and end-use.
What products fall under HS code 151221?
Crude cottonseed oil, Unrefined cottonseed oil, Cottonseed oil with gossypol, Degossypolized crude cottonseed oil, Cottonseed oil for refining, Crude cottonseed stearin
What are common misclassifications for HS code 151221?
This code is often confused with 151229 (refined cottonseed oil) because 151221 specifically covers the crude, unrefined form, which requires further processing to be suitable for human consumption.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 151221?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 151221 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($5.2M, 33% of world exports), Azerbaijan ($4.2M) and Côte d'Ivoire ($2.7M). World exports came to about $16M, 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 151221?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 151221 in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($2.0M, 26% of world imports), Tajikistan (about $1.1M) and India ($1.1M). World imports came to about $7.9M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Tajikistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 41% of its imports here ($1.0M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
How is HS code 151221 structured?
HS code 151221 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (15) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 151221?
In Brazil, HS code 151221 is NCM 1512.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.