HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1515.11 – Vegetable oils; linseed oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified
HS code 1515.11 is the 6-digit subheading for vegetable oils, linseed oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified. It is used for crude linseed oil, raw flaxseed oil, unrefined linseed oil, linseed oil for industrial use and flaxseed oil for paints.
What HS 1515.11 covers
This HS code pertains to crude, unrefined linseed oil and its fractions, which have not undergone chemical modification. Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is primarily an industrial oil, highly valued for its drying properties due to its high alpha-linolenic acid content. It's a key raw material in the manufacturing of paints, varnishes, linoleum, printing inks, and certain industrial coatings. Major exporters are countries with significant flaxseed cultivation, such as Canada, Russia, Kazakhstan, and parts of the European Union. Importers are typically industrial manufacturers in developed economies with robust chemical and construction sectors. Trade involves ensuring quality parameters like iodine value and free fatty acid content, which are critical for its industrial applications. The "crude" designation signifies its raw state, prior to further processing or refining for specific industrial uses.
- Covers
- Crude linseed oil
- Raw flaxseed oil
- Unrefined linseed oil
- Linseed oil for industrial use
- Flaxseed oil for paints
- Examples
- AkzoNobel (paints)
- Sherwin-Williams (paints)
- Forbo (linoleum)
- Printing ink manufacturers
- Industrial coating producers
Codes often confused with 1515.11
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 151519 (refined linseed oil) if the "crude" status is not clearly specified. It should also not be confused with edible flaxseed oil supplements, which are typically refined and often fall under different classifications.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 151511, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 151511 in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 61% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Norway, with 20% 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 Belgium $89M 61% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$10M 7.0% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $10M 7.0% of world exports
World total: $146M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Norway $25M 20% of world imports
- 2 Chile $15M 12% of world imports
- 3 Japan $15M 12% of world imports
World total: $124M 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 1515.11
Brazil does not split HS 1515.11: its NCM code is 1515.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 15.15 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1515.11
What is HS code 151511?
HS code 151511 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vegetable oils; linseed oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified. This HS code pertains to crude, unrefined linseed oil and its fractions, which have not undergone chemical modification. Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is primarily an industrial oil, highly valued for its drying properties due to its high alpha-linolenic acid content. It's a key raw material in the manufacturing of paints, varnishes, linoleum, printing inks, and certain industrial coatings. Major exporters are countries with significant flaxseed cultivation, such as Canada, Russia, Kazakhstan, and parts of the European Union. Importers are typically industrial manufacturers in developed economies with robust chemical and construction sectors. Trade involves ensuring quality parameters like iodine value and free fatty acid content, which are critical for its industrial applications. The "crude" designation signifies its raw state, prior to further processing or refining for specific industrial uses.
What products fall under HS code 151511?
Crude linseed oil, Raw flaxseed oil, Unrefined linseed oil, Linseed oil for industrial use, Flaxseed oil for paints
What are common misclassifications for HS code 151511?
This code is often confused with 151519 (refined linseed oil) if the "crude" status is not clearly specified. It should also not be confused with edible flaxseed oil supplements, which are typically refined and often fall under different classifications.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 151511?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 151511 in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($89M, 61% of world exports), Russia (about $10M) and Germany ($10M). World exports came to about $146M, 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 151511?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 151511 in UN Comtrade data were Norway ($25M, 20% of world imports), Chile ($15M) and Japan ($15M). World imports came to about $124M, 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 151511 structured?
HS code 151511 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (15) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (15) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 151511?
In Brazil, HS code 151511 is NCM 1515.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.