HS Code 15.14 – Rape, colza or mustard oil and their fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

HS code 1514 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Rape, colza or mustard oil and their fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. Heading 1514 encompasses rape, colza, or mustard oil and their fractions, with the crucial stipulation that they are 'whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.' This classification includes the widely traded canola oil, which is a specific variety of low-erucic acid rapeseed oil. The scope covers these oils in their crude, unrefined state, as well as highly processed forms like refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) oils, provided no chemical alteration has occurred. Key sub-categories include high-erucic acid rapeseed oil (traditional rapeseed oil), low-erucic acid rapeseed oil (canola oil), and various grades of mustard oil. These oils are extensively used in the food industry as cooking oils, salad oils, and ingredients in processed foods, as well as in industrial applications like biofuels (before chemical modification) and lubricants. For importers, exporters, and customs brokers, precise classification under 1514 is vital for navigating distinct tariff regimes, quotas, and specific labeling requirements that vary by oil type and destination market. This heading is a significant component of Chapter 15, which broadly covers animal or vegetable fats and oils, highlighting these particular oils' economic importance in global agriculture and trade, often influenced by agricultural policies and biofuel mandates.

Crude rapeseed oil, refined rapeseed oil, canola oil (low erucic acid rapeseed oil), organic canola oil, cold-pressed rapeseed oil, rapeseed oil fractions, bulk rapeseed oil, bottled canola oil, crude colza oil, refined colza oil, crude mustard oil, refined mustard oil, edible mustard oil, mustard oil for cooking, industrial rapeseed oil, rapeseed oil for biodiesel (before chemical modification), frying oil (rapeseed), salad oil (canola), unrefined mustard oil, bleached rapeseed oil, deodorized canola oil, high erucic acid rapeseed oil, winterized canola oil, specialty mustard oils, non-GMO rapeseed oil.

A common misclassification for HS 1514 products occurs when traders confuse them with chemically modified versions, such as hydrogenated rapeseed oil or interesterified canola oil, which belong under HS 1518. The 'not chemically modified' clause is critical. Another frequent error is misclassifying blends that contain other vegetable oils not specified in this heading (e.g., sunflower oil, soy oil), which would necessitate classification under a different, more general heading or a specific blend heading if applicable. Additionally, confusion can arise between the raw seeds (HS 1205 for rapeseed/colza, HS 1207 for mustard) and the extracted oils, or between the oil and derived products like biodiesel (HS 3826.00) if chemical conversion has already taken place.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 1514 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($3.9B, 30% of world exports), Russia (about $1.5B) and Germany ($1.5B). World exports came to about $12.8B, 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 1514 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($3.1B, 25% of world imports), China ($2.3B) and the Netherlands ($1.1B). World imports came to about $12.2B, 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.

HS code 1514 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 15 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (15) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (14) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.