HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1520.00 – Glycerol, crude; glycerol waters and glycerol lyes
HS code 1520.00 is the 6-digit subheading for glycerol, crude, glycerol waters and glycerol lyes. It is used for crude glycerol, glycerol waters, glycerol lyes, unrefined glycerine and biodiesel crude glycerin.
What HS 1520.00 covers
This HS code specifically covers crude glycerol, glycerol waters, and glycerol lyes. Glycerol, also known as glycerine, is a polyol compound that is a byproduct of soap manufacturing and, more significantly in modern times, biodiesel production. Crude glycerol is the unrefined form, often containing impurities, and serves as a raw material for further purification into refined glycerol, which has a vast array of applications. Importers are typically chemical processing plants, pharmaceutical companies, and manufacturers in the cosmetics and food industries that require glycerol as an ingredient. Exporters are often countries with large biodiesel production capacities or traditional soap manufacturing industries. Key considerations in this trade include the purity levels of the crude glycerol, the logistics of bulk liquid transport, and the fluctuating supply and demand dynamics influenced by the biodiesel market. The increasing global focus on renewable energy has significantly boosted the availability and trade of crude glycerol.
- Covers
- Crude glycerol
- Glycerol waters
- Glycerol lyes
- Unrefined glycerine
- Biodiesel crude glycerin
- Examples
- P&G Chemicals crude glycerin
- Wilmar International crude glycerin
- Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) crude glycerin
- Cargill crude glycerin
Codes often confused with 1520.00
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 290545 (pure glycerol) which covers refined, high-purity glycerol, as 152000 specifically refers to the crude, unrefined forms.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 152000, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 152000 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 57% 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 Indonesia $494M 33% of world exports
- 2 Brazil $337M 23% of world exports
- 3 Germany $107M 7.3% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $880M 57% of world imports
- 2 India $128M 8.2% of world imports
- 3 Germany $88M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $1.6B 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 codes for 1520.00 2
Brazil splits HS 1520.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 1520.00.10 Crude glycerolGlicerol em bruto
- 1520.00.20 Glycerol waters and glycerol lyesÁguas e lixívias, glicéricas
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 15.20 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1520.00
What is HS code 152000?
HS code 152000 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Glycerol, crude; glycerol waters and glycerol lyes. This HS code specifically covers crude glycerol, glycerol waters, and glycerol lyes. Glycerol, also known as glycerine, is a polyol compound that is a byproduct of soap manufacturing and, more significantly in modern times, biodiesel production. Crude glycerol is the unrefined form, often containing impurities, and serves as a raw material for further purification into refined glycerol, which has a vast array of applications. Importers are typically chemical processing plants, pharmaceutical companies, and manufacturers in the cosmetics and food industries that require glycerol as an ingredient. Exporters are often countries with large biodiesel production capacities or traditional soap manufacturing industries. Key considerations in this trade include the purity levels of the crude glycerol, the logistics of bulk liquid transport, and the fluctuating supply and demand dynamics influenced by the biodiesel market. The increasing global focus on renewable energy has significantly boosted the availability and trade of crude glycerol.
What products fall under HS code 152000?
Crude glycerol, Glycerol waters, Glycerol lyes, Unrefined glycerine, Biodiesel crude glycerin
What are common misclassifications for HS code 152000?
This code is distinct from 290545 (pure glycerol) which covers refined, high-purity glycerol, as 152000 specifically refers to the crude, unrefined forms.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 152000?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 152000 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($494M, 33% of world exports), Brazil ($337M) and Germany ($107M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 152000?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 152000 in UN Comtrade data were China ($880M, 57% of world imports), India ($128M) and Germany ($88M). World imports came to about $1.6B, 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 152000 structured?
HS code 152000 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (15) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (20) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 152000?
Brazil splits HS code 152000 into 2 NCM codes: 1520.00.10 (Crude glycerol), 1520.00.20 (Glycerol waters and glycerol lyes). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.