HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1521.90 – Waxes, other than vegetable, n.e.c. in heading no. 1521; whether or not refined or coloured
HS code 1521.90 is the 6-digit subheading for waxes, other than vegetable, n.e.c. in heading no. 1521, whether or not refined or coloured. It is used for beeswax, lanolin, spermaceti, shellac wax and chinese insect wax.
What HS 1521.90 covers
This HS code encompasses waxes of animal origin, such as beeswax and lanolin, as well as insect waxes, provided they are not specifically covered elsewhere in heading 1521 (i.e., not vegetable waxes). These waxes, whether refined or colored, are vital raw materials for a multitude of industries including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and industrial applications like polishes and lubricants. International trade in these waxes is significant, with demand driven by their unique natural properties, such as emulsifying capabilities, protective barriers, and texture enhancement. Importers are typically manufacturing companies in developed nations that integrate these natural ingredients into their product lines. Exporters often include countries with robust animal husbandry sectors or specific insect populations. Key considerations in this trade involve ensuring purity, meeting specific industry standards, and increasingly, adhering to ethical sourcing practices and sustainability guidelines.
- Covers
- Beeswax
- Lanolin
- Spermaceti
- Shellac wax
- Chinese insect wax
- Wool wax
- Examples
- Carmex lip balm
- Honest Company products
- Furniture polish
- Pharmaceutical excipients
Codes often confused with 1521.90
Common mistake. Often confused with 152110 (vegetable waxes) if the animal origin is not clearly specified, or with 3404 (artificial waxes) if synthetic alternatives are being considered.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 152190, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 152190 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% 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 China $35M 32% of world exports
- 2 Germany $16M 14% of world exports
- 3 United States $8.3M 7.6% of world exports
World total: $110M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $26M 21% of world imports
- 2 Germany $19M 15% of world imports
- 3 France $7.4M 6.0% of world imports
World total: $123M 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 1521.90 3
Brazil splits HS 1521.90 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 1521.90.1 BeeswaxCera de abelha Group
- 1521.90.11 Raw beeswaxEm bruto
- 1521.90.19 Other beeswax, not rawOutras
- 1521.90.90 Other insect waxes and spermacetiOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 15.21 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1521.90
What is HS code 152190?
HS code 152190 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Waxes, other than vegetable, n.e.c. in heading no. 1521; whether or not refined or coloured. This HS code encompasses waxes of animal origin, such as beeswax and lanolin, as well as insect waxes, provided they are not specifically covered elsewhere in heading 1521 (i.e., not vegetable waxes). These waxes, whether refined or colored, are vital raw materials for a multitude of industries including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and industrial applications like polishes and lubricants. International trade in these waxes is significant, with demand driven by their unique natural properties, such as emulsifying capabilities, protective barriers, and texture enhancement. Importers are typically manufacturing companies in developed nations that integrate these natural ingredients into their product lines. Exporters often include countries with robust animal husbandry sectors or specific insect populations. Key considerations in this trade involve ensuring purity, meeting specific industry standards, and increasingly, adhering to ethical sourcing practices and sustainability guidelines.
What products fall under HS code 152190?
Beeswax, Lanolin, Spermaceti, Shellac wax, Chinese insect wax, Wool wax
What are common misclassifications for HS code 152190?
Often confused with 152110 (vegetable waxes) if the animal origin is not clearly specified, or with 3404 (artificial waxes) if synthetic alternatives are being considered.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 152190?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 152190 in UN Comtrade data were China ($35M, 32% of world exports), Germany ($16M) and the United States ($8.3M). World exports came to about $110M, 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 152190?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 152190 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($26M, 21% of world imports), Germany ($19M) and France ($7.4M). World imports came to about $123M, 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 152190 structured?
HS code 152190 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (15) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (21) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 152190?
Brazil splits HS code 152190 into 3 NCM codes: 1521.90.11 (Raw beeswax), 1521.90.19 (Other beeswax, not raw), 1521.90.90 (Other insect waxes and spermaceti). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.