HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1515.21 – Vegetable oils; maize (corn) oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified
HS code 1515.21 is the 6-digit subheading for vegetable oils, maize (corn) oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified. It is used for crude corn oil, raw maize oil, unrefined corn oil, corn oil for refining and corn oil for biodiesel.
What HS 1515.21 covers
This HS code specifically covers crude maize (corn) oil and its fractions, which have not been chemically modified. This raw oil is a byproduct of corn wet milling and dry milling processes, primarily used as a feedstock for further refining into edible corn oil, or for industrial applications like biofuels and animal feed. Major exporters are countries with large corn production and processing industries, most notably the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. Importing nations typically have significant refining capacities and demand for cooking oils or industrial raw materials, such as China, Mexico, and various European countries. Trade in crude corn oil is influenced by global corn harvests, energy prices (for biofuels), and the demand for refined edible oils. Quality parameters like free fatty acid content and moisture are crucial for its subsequent processing.
- Covers
- Crude corn oil
- Raw maize oil
- Unrefined corn oil
- Corn oil for refining
- Corn oil for biodiesel
- Corn oil for animal feed
- Examples
- Cargill (corn processor/trader)
- ADM (corn processor/trader)
- Bunge (corn processor/trader)
- Tate & Lyle (corn processor)
- Ingredion (corn processor)
Codes often confused with 1515.21
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 151529 (refined corn oil) if the "crude" status is not clearly specified. It should also not be confused with corn germ, from which the oil is extracted, which falls under other agricultural codes.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 151521, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 151521 in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, 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 Brazil $129M 38% of world exports
- 2 United States $54M 16% of world exports
- 3 Canada $34M 10% of world exports
World total: $337M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $75M 20% of world imports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $61M 16% of world imports
- 3 Tunisia* ~$39M 11% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $371M 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 1515.21
Brazil does not split HS 1515.21: its NCM code is 1515.21.00.
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 1515.21
What is HS code 151521?
HS code 151521 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vegetable oils; maize (corn) oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified. This HS code specifically covers crude maize (corn) oil and its fractions, which have not been chemically modified. This raw oil is a byproduct of corn wet milling and dry milling processes, primarily used as a feedstock for further refining into edible corn oil, or for industrial applications like biofuels and animal feed. Major exporters are countries with large corn production and processing industries, most notably the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. Importing nations typically have significant refining capacities and demand for cooking oils or industrial raw materials, such as China, Mexico, and various European countries. Trade in crude corn oil is influenced by global corn harvests, energy prices (for biofuels), and the demand for refined edible oils. Quality parameters like free fatty acid content and moisture are crucial for its subsequent processing.
What products fall under HS code 151521?
Crude corn oil, Raw maize oil, Unrefined corn oil, Corn oil for refining, Corn oil for biodiesel, Corn oil for animal feed
What are common misclassifications for HS code 151521?
This code is often confused with 151529 (refined corn oil) if the "crude" status is not clearly specified. It should also not be confused with corn germ, from which the oil is extracted, which falls under other agricultural codes.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 151521?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 151521 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($129M, 38% of world exports), the United States ($54M) and Canada ($34M). World exports came to about $337M, 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 151521?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 151521 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($75M, 20% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($61M) and Tunisia (about $39M). World imports came to about $371M, 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 151521 structured?
HS code 151521 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 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 151521?
In Brazil, HS code 151521 is NCM 1515.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.