HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 15.13 – Coconut (copra), palm kernel or babassu oil and their fractions; whether or not refined but not chemically modified
What HS 15.13 covers
Heading 1513 specifically covers coconut (copra) oil, palm kernel oil, and babassu oil, along with their respective fractions. The critical qualifier, consistent with other headings in Chapter 15, is 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, bleached, and deodorized forms, as long as their core chemical composition remains unaltered. A key distinction for palm kernel oil is its source from the kernel of the oil palm fruit, differentiating it from palm oil (HS 1511) which is derived from the fruit pulp. Sub-categories include virgin coconut oil, refined coconut oil, and various fractions of palm kernel oil like olein and stearin, each with unique properties and applications. These oils are widely used in the food industry for confectionery, baking, and cooking, as well as in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors due to their unique fatty acid profiles. For trade compliance, correct classification under 1513 is crucial for determining applicable tariffs, quotas, and adherence to origin rules and food safety standards. This heading is integral to Chapter 15, which broadly categorizes animal or vegetable fats and oils, by recognizing these specific tropical oils as distinct commodities with significant global trade volumes and diverse industrial applications.
- Covers
- Crude coconut oil (CNO)
- Refined coconut oil
- Virgin coconut oil (VCO)
- Extra virgin coconut oil
- Fractionated coconut oil
- Organic coconut oil
- Bulk coconut oil
- Bottled coconut oil
- Crude palm kernel oil (PKO)
- Refined palm kernel oil
- Palm kernel olein
- Palm kernel stearin
- Organic palm kernel oil
- Crude babassu oil
- Refined babassu oil
- Babassu oil for cosmetics
- Cooking coconut oil
- Confectionery fats (from PKO/babassu)
- Industrial coconut oil
- RBD coconut oil
- Palm kernel oil for soap
- Coconut oil for cosmetics
- Unrefined babassu oil
- Hydrogenated palm kernel oil (no, 1518)
- Specific short-chain fatty acid fractions (if not chemically modified).
- Examples
A Philippine exporter ships multiple containers of bulk virgin coconut oil to a natural foods distributor in the United States, catering to health-conscious consumers. An Indonesian producer sends refined palm kernel oil to a European confectionery manufacturer for use in chocolate coatings and fillings. A Brazilian company exports crude babassu oil to a cosmetics firm in France, valued for its emollient properties in skincare products. A Sri Lankan supplier ships organic coconut oil in various package sizes to specialty retailers across Australia, meeting demand for ethically sourced and natural ingredients.
Subheadings under 15.13 4
Codes often confused with 15.13
Common mistake. A primary misclassification risk for HS 1513 is confusing palm kernel oil with palm oil (HS 1511). Palm kernel oil is derived from the kernel of the palm fruit, while palm oil comes from the fruit's pulp, resulting in different chemical compositions and uses. Another common error is classifying chemically modified versions of these oils, such as hydrogenated coconut oil or interesterified palm kernel oil, under 1513; these products correctly fall under HS 1518. Additionally, certain highly processed fractions or specific fatty acid isolates that undergo chemical reactions beyond simple fractionation would also be excluded from this heading.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 1513, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 1513 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 16% 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 $3.9B 35% of world exports
- 2 Philippines $2.9B 26% of world exports
- 3 Malaysia $1.7B 15% of world exports
World total: $11.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.8B 16% of world imports
- 2 China $1.8B 15% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $1.2B 10% of world imports
World total: $11.4B 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.
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 15.13
What is HS code 1513?
HS code 1513 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Coconut (copra), palm kernel or babassu oil and their fractions; whether or not refined but not chemically modified. Heading 1513 specifically covers coconut (copra) oil, palm kernel oil, and babassu oil, along with their respective fractions. The critical qualifier, consistent with other headings in Chapter 15, is 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, bleached, and deodorized forms, as long as their core chemical composition remains unaltered. A key distinction for palm kernel oil is its source from the kernel of the oil palm fruit, differentiating it from palm oil (HS 1511) which is derived from the fruit pulp. Sub-categories include virgin coconut oil, refined coconut oil, and various fractions of palm kernel oil like olein and stearin, each with unique properties and applications. These oils are widely used in the food industry for confectionery, baking, and cooking, as well as in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors due to their unique fatty acid profiles. For trade compliance, correct classification under 1513 is crucial for determining applicable tariffs, quotas, and adherence to origin rules and food safety standards. This heading is integral to Chapter 15, which broadly categorizes animal or vegetable fats and oils, by recognizing these specific tropical oils as distinct commodities with significant global trade volumes and diverse industrial applications.
What products fall under HS code 1513?
Crude coconut oil (CNO), refined coconut oil, virgin coconut oil (VCO), extra virgin coconut oil, fractionated coconut oil, organic coconut oil, bulk coconut oil, bottled coconut oil, crude palm kernel oil (PKO), refined palm kernel oil, palm kernel olein, palm kernel stearin, organic palm kernel oil, crude babassu oil, refined babassu oil, babassu oil for cosmetics, cooking coconut oil, confectionery fats (from PKO/babassu), industrial coconut oil, RBD coconut oil, palm kernel oil for soap, coconut oil for cosmetics, unrefined babassu oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil (no, 1518), specific short-chain fatty acid fractions (if not chemically modified).
What are common misclassifications for HS code 1513?
A primary misclassification risk for HS 1513 is confusing palm kernel oil with palm oil (HS 1511). Palm kernel oil is derived from the kernel of the palm fruit, while palm oil comes from the fruit's pulp, resulting in different chemical compositions and uses. Another common error is classifying chemically modified versions of these oils, such as hydrogenated coconut oil or interesterified palm kernel oil, under 1513; these products correctly fall under HS 1518. Additionally, certain highly processed fractions or specific fatty acid isolates that undergo chemical reactions beyond simple fractionation would also be excluded from this heading.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 1513?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 1513 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($3.9B, 35% of world exports), the Philippines ($2.9B) and Malaysia ($1.7B). World exports came to about $11.2B, 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 1513?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 1513 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.8B, 16% of world imports), China ($1.8B) and the Netherlands ($1.2B). World imports came to about $11.4B, 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 1513 structured?
HS code 1513 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 15 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (15) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (13) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.