HS Code for Candelilla wax

Candelilla wax is classified under HS code 1521.10, which specifically covers vegetable waxes. This classification is found within Chapter 15, which encompasses animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, and animal or vegetable waxes. Heading 1521 is dedicated to vegetable waxes (other than triglycerides), beeswax, other insect waxes, and spermaceti, whether or not refined or colored. Candelilla wax is a hard, brittle wax extracted from the wax-coated stems of the Candelilla shrub (Euphorbia antisyphilitica), native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. The classification process involves identifying the biological origin and the chemical nature of the substance. Since Candelilla wax is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, esters, free acids, and resins, and is not composed of triglycerides (which would classify it as a fat or oil), it fits perfectly into the vegetable wax category. Even if the wax has undergone refining processes such as de-colorization or filtration to remove impurities, it remains under 1521.10 as long as it has not been chemically modified to the point of becoming an artificial wax. This code is essential for importers in the cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industries, where Candelilla wax is frequently used as a glazing agent, a consistency regulator, or a vegan alternative to beeswax. The Harmonized System ensures that natural waxes are distinguished from synthetic counterparts to monitor the trade of natural resources and agricultural products.

Products Included

• Crude candelilla wax in lumps or cakes
• Refined candelilla wax flakes or pellets
• De-colorized or bleached candelilla wax
• Candelilla wax colored for industrial use
• Powdered candelilla wax

Common Misclassification

Candelilla wax is sometimes misclassified under HS code 3404, which covers artificial waxes and prepared waxes. However, 3404 is only applicable if the natural wax has been chemically modified (e.g., by esterification or partial saponification) or mixed with other waxes. Pure, refined candelilla wax must remain in 1521.10. It is also occasionally confused with 1515.90 (other fixed vegetable fats and oils), but the high melting point and lack of triglycerides in candelilla wax necessitate its classification as a wax rather than an oil.

FAQ

What is the HS code for Candelilla wax?

The HS code for Candelilla wax is 1521.10, categorized under vegetable waxes.

Is refined Candelilla wax classified differently than crude wax?

No, both crude and refined candelilla wax are classified under 1521.10, provided they have not been chemically modified or mixed with other substances.