HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1515.30 – Vegetable oils; castor oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified
HS code 1515.30 is the 6-digit subheading for vegetable oils, castor oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. It is used for refined castor oil, crude castor oil, hydrogenated castor oil (not chemically modified), dehydrated castor oil (not chemically modified) and castor oil fractions.
What HS 1515.30 covers
This HS code encompasses castor oil and its various fractions, whether they are in a crude or refined state, provided they have not been chemically modified beyond standard refining processes. Castor oil is a unique vegetable oil, highly valued for its high ricinoleic acid content, which imparts distinct properties. This makes it an indispensable ingredient across a wide array of industries, including pharmaceuticals (as a laxative or excipient), cosmetics (in lipsticks and lotions), lubricants, paints, coatings, and even in the production of bio-based plastics. India is the overwhelming global leader in both the production and export of castor oil, with significant importing markets found in China, the European Union, and the United States, where it's utilized by specialized chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Key considerations in its trade include ensuring specific purity levels, meeting pharmacopoeia standards for medicinal grades, and managing supply chain stability given its concentrated production.
- Covers
- Refined castor oil
- Crude castor oil
- Hydrogenated castor oil (not chemically modified)
- Dehydrated castor oil (not chemically modified)
- Castor oil fractions
- USP grade castor oil
- Industrial grade castor oil
- Examples
- Skyrun Castor Oil
- Ambuja Solvex Castor Oil
- Jayant Agro-Organics Castor Oil
- Now Solutions Castor Oil
Codes often confused with 1515.30
Common mistake. This code can be confused with other vegetable oils under Chapter 15 if not clearly identified as castor oil, or with 151800 if it has undergone significant chemical modification beyond simple refining.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 151530, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 151530 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 87% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 43% 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 $1.1B 87% of world exports
- 2 Germany $40M 3.3% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $40M 3.2% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $510M 43% of world imports
- 2 Germany $120M 10.0% of world imports
- 3 United States $102M 8.5% of world imports
World total: $1.2B 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.
Brazil NCM code for 1515.30
Brazil does not split HS 1515.30: its NCM code is 1515.30.00.
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 1515.30
What is HS code 151530?
HS code 151530 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vegetable oils; castor oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. This HS code encompasses castor oil and its various fractions, whether they are in a crude or refined state, provided they have not been chemically modified beyond standard refining processes. Castor oil is a unique vegetable oil, highly valued for its high ricinoleic acid content, which imparts distinct properties. This makes it an indispensable ingredient across a wide array of industries, including pharmaceuticals (as a laxative or excipient), cosmetics (in lipsticks and lotions), lubricants, paints, coatings, and even in the production of bio-based plastics. India is the overwhelming global leader in both the production and export of castor oil, with significant importing markets found in China, the European Union, and the United States, where it's utilized by specialized chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Key considerations in its trade include ensuring specific purity levels, meeting pharmacopoeia standards for medicinal grades, and managing supply chain stability given its concentrated production.
What products fall under HS code 151530?
Refined castor oil, Crude castor oil, Hydrogenated castor oil (not chemically modified), Dehydrated castor oil (not chemically modified), Castor oil fractions, USP grade castor oil, Industrial grade castor oil
What are common misclassifications for HS code 151530?
This code can be confused with other vegetable oils under Chapter 15 if not clearly identified as castor oil, or with 151800 if it has undergone significant chemical modification beyond simple refining.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 151530?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 151530 in UN Comtrade data were India ($1.1B, 87% of world exports), Germany ($40M) and the Netherlands ($40M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 151530?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 151530 in UN Comtrade data were China ($510M, 43% of world imports), Germany ($120M) and the United States ($102M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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.
How is HS code 151530 structured?
HS code 151530 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 (30) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 151530?
In Brazil, HS code 151530 is NCM 1515.30.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.