Product classification
HS code for Candelilla wax: 1521.10
Vegetable waxes (other than triglycerides), whether or not refined or coloured.
Classification of candelilla wax under HS 1521.10
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.
- Covers
- 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
- Also under 1521.10
Burt's Bees lip balm, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products, Vegan food coatings, Eco-friendly candles
Codes often confused with 1521.10
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS 152110 (the code used for candelilla wax), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 152110 (the code used for candelilla wax) in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 59% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 152110, not only candelilla wax.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $143M 59% of world exports
- 2 Germany $26M 11% of world exports
- 3 United States $20M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $241M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $45M 17% of world imports
- 2 Germany $45M 17% of world imports
- 3 China $30M 11% of world imports
World total: $269M 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 candelilla wax
Brazil classifies candelilla wax under NCM 1521.10.00: HS 1521.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about candelilla wax
What is the HS code for Candelilla wax?
The HS code for Candelilla wax is 152110 (Vegetable waxes (other than triglycerides); whether or not refined or coloured). The HS code for Candelilla wax is 1521.10, categorized under vegetable waxes.
How do I classify Candelilla wax for customs?
Candelilla wax is classified under HS code 152110 — Vegetable waxes (other than triglycerides); whether or not refined or coloured. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
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.
Which countries are the top exporters of candelilla wax (HS 152110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 152110 (the code used for candelilla wax) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($143M, 59% of world exports), Germany ($26M) and the United States ($20M). World exports came to about $241M, 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 candelilla wax (HS 152110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 152110 (the code used for candelilla wax) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($45M, 17% of world imports), Germany ($45M) and China ($30M). World imports came to about $269M, 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.
Is the HS code for Candelilla wax the same in all countries?
The base HS code 152110 for Candelilla wax is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for candelilla wax in Brazil?
In Brazil, candelilla wax (HS 152110) is classified under NCM 1521.10.00.