HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2712.10 – Petroleum jelly
HS code 2712.10 is the 6-digit subheading for petroleum jelly. It is used for white petroleum jelly, yellow petroleum jelly, pharmaceutical grade petrolatum, cosmetic grade petrolatum and industrial petroleum jelly.
What HS 2712.10 covers
This code covers petroleum jelly, a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. Widely known for its moisturizing and protective properties, it is a staple ingredient in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and various industrial applications. International trade involves its movement from petroleum refining centers to manufacturing hubs globally. Key players include refiners producing the raw material and pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies that process and package it into finished goods. The trade is driven by consistent consumer demand for personal care products, medical applications (e.g., wound care), and industrial lubricants. Quality standards, purity levels, and regulatory compliance (e.g., pharmacopoeia grades like USP or BP) are crucial considerations in its international movement, ensuring product safety and efficacy.
- Covers
- White petroleum jelly
- Yellow petroleum jelly
- Pharmaceutical grade petrolatum
- Cosmetic grade petrolatum
- Industrial petroleum jelly
- Technical grade petroleum jelly
- USP petrolatum.
- Examples
- Vaseline (Unilever)
- Aquaphor (Beiersdorf)
- CeraVe (L'Oréal)
- generic store brands
- industrial lubricant suppliers
- pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Codes often confused with 2712.10
Common mistake. Petroleum jelly can sometimes be confused with other waxes of heading 2712, such as paraffin wax (271220), but petroleum jelly is specifically a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons, distinct from the harder, crystalline structure of paraffin wax. It might also be mistaken for certain mineral waxes in Chapter 34 if not clearly identified as petroleum-derived.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 271210, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 271210 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 14% 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 $115M 26% of world exports
- 2 Germany $73M 17% of world exports
- 3 United States $71M 16% of world exports
World total: $438M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Nigeria $59M 14% of world imports
- 2 Côte d'Ivoire $26M 6.1% of world imports
- 3 Japan $22M 5.1% of world imports
World total: $432M 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 2712.10
Brazil does not split HS 2712.10: its NCM code is 2712.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 27.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2712.10
What is HS code 271210?
HS code 271210 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Petroleum jelly. This code covers petroleum jelly, a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. Widely known for its moisturizing and protective properties, it is a staple ingredient in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and various industrial applications. International trade involves its movement from petroleum refining centers to manufacturing hubs globally. Key players include refiners producing the raw material and pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies that process and package it into finished goods. The trade is driven by consistent consumer demand for personal care products, medical applications (e.g., wound care), and industrial lubricants. Quality standards, purity levels, and regulatory compliance (e.g., pharmacopoeia grades like USP or BP) are crucial considerations in its international movement, ensuring product safety and efficacy.
What products fall under HS code 271210?
White petroleum jelly, yellow petroleum jelly, pharmaceutical grade petrolatum, cosmetic grade petrolatum, industrial petroleum jelly, technical grade petroleum jelly, USP petrolatum.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 271210?
Petroleum jelly can sometimes be confused with other waxes of heading 2712, such as paraffin wax (271220), but petroleum jelly is specifically a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons, distinct from the harder, crystalline structure of paraffin wax. It might also be mistaken for certain mineral waxes in Chapter 34 if not clearly identified as petroleum-derived.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 271210?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 271210 in UN Comtrade data were India ($115M, 26% of world exports), Germany ($73M) and the United States ($71M). World exports came to about $438M, 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 271210?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 271210 in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($59M, 14% of world imports), Côte d'Ivoire ($26M) and Japan ($22M). World imports came to about $432M, 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 271210 structured?
HS code 271210 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (27) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 271210?
In Brazil, HS code 271210 is NCM 2712.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.