HS Code for Cottonseed oil

Cottonseed oil is classified under HS code 1512.29, which pertains to "Cotton-seed oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified." Chapter 15 covers animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products. Heading 1512 specifically includes sunflower-seed, safflower, or cotton-seed oil. The subheading 1512.21 is designated for crude oil, whereas 1512.29 is the residual category for oil that has undergone refining processes—such as neutralizing, bleaching, or deodorizing—to make it suitable for human consumption or industrial use. It is important to note that if the oil has been chemically modified (e.g., through full hydrogenation or interesterification), it would move to heading 1516. However, standard refined cottonseed oil used in cooking or as a food ingredient remains under 1512.29. The classification process follows GRI 1 and GRI 6, ensuring that the product is first identified at the four-digit heading level before being narrowed down to the specific six-digit subheading. Refined cottonseed oil is often used in the food industry for frying or as an ingredient in salad dressings and margarines. Its classification under 1512.29 ensures it is distinguished from other vegetable oils like soybean oil (1507) or palm oil (1511). The "fractions" mentioned in the description refer to the different components of the oil that can be separated by cooling or other physical processes, provided they do not alter the chemical structure of the triglycerides.

Products Included

• Refined cottonseed oil for culinary use
• Deodorized cottonseed oil
• Bleached cottonseed oil
• Liquid fractions of cottonseed oil

Common Misclassification

The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 1512.21, which is reserved exclusively for crude cottonseed oil. Crude oil is typically dark and contains impurities that must be removed before consumption. Another frequent error involves HS code 1516.20, which covers vegetable fats and oils that have been hydrogenated or solidified. If the cottonseed oil has been fully hydrogenated to a solid state, it must be moved to 1516. Finally, mixtures of cottonseed oil with other oils (like soybean oil) are classified under 1517.90 as edible mixtures.

FAQ

What is the HS code for cottonseed oil?

The HS code for refined cottonseed oil is 1512.29. Crude cottonseed oil is classified under 1512.21.

Is hydrogenated cottonseed oil under this code?

No, if the oil has been chemically modified through hydrogenation, it is classified under HS code 1516.20.