HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 15.15 – Fixed vegetable or microbial fats and oils n.e.c. in chapter 15 (including jojoba oil) and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified
What HS 15.15 covers
HS Code 1515 encompasses fixed vegetable or microbial fats and oils not specifically provided for elsewhere in Chapter 15, including notably jojoba oil, along with their fractions. These products may be refined but crucially must not be chemically modified. This heading serves as a residual category within Chapter 15 for a diverse range of plant-derived or microorganism-derived oils that don't fall under the more specific headings like olive oil (1509), sunflower oil (1512), or palm oil (1511). The 'fixed' aspect indicates they are non-volatile, unlike essential oils. The scope is broad, covering specialty oils used across various industries, from cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to niche food applications and industrial lubricants. The 'not chemically modified' criterion is paramount; it means processes like hydrogenation or inter-esterification would move products to heading 1516 or 1518. Refining, such as degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization, is permissible as it purifies without altering the chemical structure of the fatty acids. Trade compliance professionals must carefully ascertain the origin and processing of these oils to ensure correct classification, as missteps can lead to incorrect duties, penalties, and supply chain disruptions. The inclusion of 'jojoba oil' specifically highlights its unique waxy ester structure, often used as a direct substitute for sperm whale oil historically, and its significant role in the cosmetics industry today. This heading ensures that a wide array of unique and emerging oils find their appropriate place in the global trade framework, reflecting the increasing diversity of agricultural and biotechnological products.
- Covers
- Jojoba oil
- Karanja oil
- Hemp seed oil (fixed)
- Borage oil
- Evening primrose oil
- Rosehip oil
- Marula oil
- Squalane (from olive or sugarcane)
- Meadowfoam seed oil
- Blackcurrant seed oil
- Pumpkin seed oil
- Wheat germ oil
- Rice bran oil
- Camellia oil
- Apricot kernel oil
- Sweet almond oil (not specifically provided for elsewhere)
- Avocado oil (unrefined, not chemically modified)
- Grape seed oil (not chemically modified)
- Castor oil (unrefined, not chemically modified)
- Moringa oil
- Pecan oil
- Sesame oil (unrefined, not chemically modified)
- Argan oil (unrefined, not chemically modified)
- Neem oil (fixed)
- Tamanu oil
- Examples
A cosmetic manufacturer in France imports bulk, unrefined jojoba oil from farms in Arizona, USA, via transatlantic container shipping, to use as a base ingredient for high-end skincare products. Similarly, a specialty food company in Japan sources cold-pressed hemp seed oil from Canadian producers, transported by ocean freight, for use in health supplements and gourmet dressings. Another scenario involves a pharmaceutical firm in Germany importing borage oil from the UK, which is then refined further for encapsulated dietary supplements, highlighting the intra-European trade of specialty oils. Furthermore, an industrial lubricant company in South Korea might import specific microbial fats from a biotechnological firm in Singapore for use in biodegradable lubricants, demonstrating the global reach of these niche products.
Subheadings under 15.15 8
Codes often confused with 15.15
Common mistake. A common misclassification error for products under HS 1515 involves confusing them with chemically modified oils or specific oils explicitly listed elsewhere. For instance, oils that have undergone processes like hydrogenation or inter-esterification, even if for edible purposes, belong to heading 1516, not 1515. Another frequent mistake is classifying specific, widely traded oils like olive oil (1509), sunflower oil (1512), or palm oil (1511) under 1515, when their dedicated headings take precedence. Lastly, essential oils, which are volatile aromatic compounds, are often incorrectly grouped with fixed oils; essential oils typically fall under Chapter 33 due to their different chemical nature and uses.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 1515, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 1515 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% 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 India $1.3B 20% of world exports
- 2 Mexico $495M 7.8% of world exports
- 3 Spain $458M 7.2% of world exports
World total: $6.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.3B 19% of world imports
- 2 China $658M 9.5% of world imports
- 3 France $364M 5.3% of world imports
World total: $6.9B 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.
Questions about HS 15.15
What is HS code 1515?
HS code 1515 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fixed vegetable or microbial fats and oils n.e.c. in chapter 15 (including jojoba oil) and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. HS Code 1515 encompasses fixed vegetable or microbial fats and oils not specifically provided for elsewhere in Chapter 15, including notably jojoba oil, along with their fractions. These products may be refined but crucially must not be chemically modified. This heading serves as a residual category within Chapter 15 for a diverse range of plant-derived or microorganism-derived oils that don't fall under the more specific headings like olive oil (1509), sunflower oil (1512), or palm oil (1511). The 'fixed' aspect indicates they are non-volatile, unlike essential oils. The scope is broad, covering specialty oils used across various industries, from cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to niche food applications and industrial lubricants. The 'not chemically modified' criterion is paramount; it means processes like hydrogenation or inter-esterification would move products to heading 1516 or 1518. Refining, such as degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization, is permissible as it purifies without altering the chemical structure of the fatty acids. Trade compliance professionals must carefully ascertain the origin and processing of these oils to ensure correct classification, as missteps can lead to incorrect duties, penalties, and supply chain disruptions. The inclusion of 'jojoba oil' specifically highlights its unique waxy ester structure, often used as a direct substitute for sperm whale oil historically, and its significant role in the cosmetics industry today. This heading ensures that a wide array of unique and emerging oils find their appropriate place in the global trade framework, reflecting the increasing diversity of agricultural and biotechnological products.
What products fall under HS code 1515?
Jojoba oil, Karanja oil, Hemp seed oil (fixed), Borage oil, Evening primrose oil, Rosehip oil, Marula oil, Squalane (from olive or sugarcane), Meadowfoam seed oil, Blackcurrant seed oil, Pumpkin seed oil, Wheat germ oil, Rice bran oil, Camellia oil, Apricot kernel oil, Sweet almond oil (not specifically provided for elsewhere), Avocado oil (unrefined, not chemically modified), Grape seed oil (not chemically modified), Castor oil (unrefined, not chemically modified), Moringa oil, Pecan oil, Sesame oil (unrefined, not chemically modified), Argan oil (unrefined, not chemically modified), Neem oil (fixed), Tamanu oil
What are common misclassifications for HS code 1515?
A common misclassification error for products under HS 1515 involves confusing them with chemically modified oils or specific oils explicitly listed elsewhere. For instance, oils that have undergone processes like hydrogenation or inter-esterification, even if for edible purposes, belong to heading 1516, not 1515. Another frequent mistake is classifying specific, widely traded oils like olive oil (1509), sunflower oil (1512), or palm oil (1511) under 1515, when their dedicated headings take precedence. Lastly, essential oils, which are volatile aromatic compounds, are often incorrectly grouped with fixed oils; essential oils typically fall under Chapter 33 due to their different chemical nature and uses.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 1515?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 1515 in UN Comtrade data were India ($1.3B, 20% of world exports), Mexico ($495M) and Spain ($458M). World exports came to about $6.4B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 1515?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 1515 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.3B, 19% of world imports), China ($658M) and France ($364M). World imports came to about $6.9B, 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 1515 structured?
HS code 1515 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 15 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (15) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (15) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.