Product classification
HS code for Cottonseed oil: 1512.29
Vegetable oils, cotton-seed oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.
Classification of cottonseed oil under HS 1512.29
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.
- Covers
- Refined cottonseed oil for culinary use
- Deodorized cottonseed oil
- Bleached cottonseed oil
- Liquid fractions of cottonseed oil
- Also under 1512.29
- Wesson Cottonseed Oil
- Crisco Cottonseed Oil
- Mazola Cottonseed Oil
- LouAna Cottonseed Oil
Codes often confused with 1512.29
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS 151229 (the code used for cottonseed oil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 151229 (the code used for cottonseed oil) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 30% of world imports. Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 100% of its exports here ($20M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters. Afghanistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 100% of its imports here ($16M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 151229, not only cottonseed oil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $16M 22% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $14M 20% of world exports
- 3 China $13M 18% of world exports
Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 100% of its exports here ($20M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $70M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Australia $29M 30% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $15M 16% of world imports
- 3 Brazil $8.0M 8.2% of world imports
Afghanistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 100% of its imports here ($16M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $97M 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 cottonseed oil
Brazil splits HS 1512.29 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 1512.29.10Refined cotton-seed oil
- 1512.29.90Other non-crude cotton-seed oil
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cottonseed oil
What is the HS code for Cottonseed oil?
The HS code for Cottonseed oil is 151229 (Vegetable oils; cotton-seed oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified). The HS code for refined cottonseed oil is 1512.29. Crude cottonseed oil is classified under 1512.21.
How do I classify Cottonseed oil for customs?
Cottonseed oil is classified under HS code 151229 — Vegetable oils; cotton-seed oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
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.
Which countries are the top exporters of cottonseed oil (HS 151229)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 151229 (the code used for cottonseed oil) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($16M, 22% of world exports), Malaysia ($14M) and China ($13M). World exports came to about $70M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 100% of its exports here ($20M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of cottonseed oil (HS 151229)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 151229 (the code used for cottonseed oil) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($29M, 30% of world imports), Malaysia ($15M) and Brazil ($8.0M). World imports came to about $97M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Afghanistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 100% of its imports here ($16M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Is the HS code for Cottonseed oil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 151229 for Cottonseed oil 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 cottonseed oil in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 151229 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for cottonseed oil depends on the product's details: 1512.29.10 (Refined cotton-seed oil), 1512.29.90 (Other non-crude cotton-seed oil).