Product classification

HS code for Crude corn oil: 1515.21

Vegetable oils, maize (corn) oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified.

Classification of crude corn oil under HS 1515.21

Crude corn oil is classified under HS code 1515.21 because it falls within Chapter 15, which covers animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products. Specifically, heading 1515 is reserved for other fixed vegetable fats and oils (including jojoba oil) and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. Within this heading, maize (corn) oil is specifically identified. The subheading 1515.21 is designated for the crude state of the oil. Classification is determined by General Interpretative Rule (GRI) 1, which dictates that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Since the product is in its raw, unrefined state—meaning it has not undergone neutralization, bleaching, or deodorization—it must be placed in the crude category. The oil is typically extracted from the germ of the maize plant through mechanical pressing or solvent extraction. As long as the oil remains in its natural state without chemical modification or further refining processes that would alter its fundamental character, it remains strictly within this 6-digit code.

Covers
  • Unrefined maize oil
  • Crude corn germ oil
  • Degummed crude corn oil
  • First-press corn oil (unrefined)
  • Crude oil obtained from wet-milling processes
Also under 1515.21
  • Cargill (corn processor/trader)
  • ADM (corn processor/trader)
  • Bunge (corn processor/trader)
  • Tate & Lyle (corn processor)
  • Ingredion (corn processor)

Codes often confused with 1515.21

Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 1515.29, which is reserved for refined corn oil and its fractions. Importers often confuse the two when the oil has undergone even minor refining steps like neutralization. Another common error involves HS code 1518.00, which covers animal or vegetable fats and oils that have been chemically modified (e.g., boiled, oxidized, or dehydrated). If the crude corn oil has been treated to change its chemical structure for industrial use, it moves from 1515 to 1518.

1515.29Vegetable oils; maize (corn) oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified1518.00Animal, vegetable or microbial fats, oils and their fractions; boiled, oxidised, dehydrated or otherwise chemically modified, excluding those of heading no. 1516, inedible mixtures or preparations of fats, oils or their fractions, n.e.c. in chapter 1515.15Fixed vegetable or microbial fats and oils n.e.c. in chapter 15 (including jojoba oil) and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified15.18Animal, vegetable or microbial fats, oils and their fractions; boiled, oxidised, dehydrated or otherwise chemically modified, excluding those of heading no. 1516, inedible mixtures or preparations of fats, oils or their fractions, n.e.c. in chapter 15

Top exporters and importers of HS 151521 (the code used for crude corn oil), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 151521 (the code used for crude corn oil) in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 20% 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 151521, not only crude corn oil.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Brazil $129M
  2. 2 United States $54M
  3. 3 Canada $34M

World total: $337M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Spain $75M
  2. 2 Saudi Arabia $61M
  3. 3 Tunisia* ~$39M

World total: $371M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 crude corn oil

Brazil classifies crude corn oil under NCM 1515.21.00: HS 1515.21 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about crude corn oil

What is the HS code for Crude corn oil?

The HS code for Crude corn oil is 151521 (Vegetable oils; maize (corn) oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified). The international HS code for crude corn oil is 1515.21.

How do I classify Crude corn oil for customs?

Crude corn oil is classified under HS code 151521 — Vegetable oils; maize (corn) oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include corn oil used for biodiesel?

If the corn oil is crude and not chemically modified, it remains under 1515.21. However, if it has been converted into mono-alkyl esters (biodiesel), it is classified under heading 3826.

Which countries are the top exporters of crude corn oil (HS 151521)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 151521 (the code used for crude corn oil) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($129M, 38% of world exports), the United States ($54M) and Canada ($34M). World exports came to about $337M, 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 crude corn oil (HS 151521)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 151521 (the code used for crude corn oil) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($75M, 20% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($61M) and Tunisia (about $39M). World imports came to about $371M, 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 Crude corn oil the same in all countries?

The base HS code 151521 for Crude corn 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 crude corn oil in Brazil?

In Brazil, crude corn oil (HS 151521) is classified under NCM 1515.21.00.