Product classification
HS code for Crude flaxseed oil: 1515.11
Vegetable oils, linseed oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified.
Classification of crude flaxseed oil under HS 1515.11
Crude flaxseed oil, or crude linseed oil, is classified under HS code 1515.11. This classification is found within heading 1515, which serves as a category for other fixed vegetable fats and oils that are not more specifically described in previous headings of Chapter 15. Linseed oil is extracted from the seeds of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). The subheading 1515.11 is specifically for the crude version of this oil. According to the Harmonized System, crude oils are those that have been obtained by simple pressure or by solvent extraction. They must not have been refined by any process that changes their essential character, such as neutralization with an alkali or bleaching with earth. Crude linseed oil is characterized by its high content of alpha-linolenic acid, which makes it a "drying oil" that polymerizes into a solid form when exposed to oxygen. This property is why it is primarily used in industrial applications like the manufacture of oil paints, wood finishes, and linoleum. The classification remains 1515.11 regardless of whether the oil is intended for industrial use or as a nutritional supplement, provided it remains unrefined. If the oil is refined or its fractions are separated, it would be classified under 1515.19.
- Covers
- Crude linseed oil
- Crude flaxseed oil
- Raw flax oil
- Unrefined linseed oil fractions
- Also under 1515.11
- AkzoNobel (paints)
- Sherwin-Williams (paints)
- Forbo (linoleum)
- Printing ink manufacturers
- Industrial coating producers
Codes often confused with 1515.11
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 1515.19, which covers refined linseed oil and its fractions. Another error involves 1515.90, which is a catch-all for other vegetable oils like jojoba or castor oil. Traders sometimes confuse crude linseed oil with boiled linseed oil; however, boiled or chemically modified linseed oil belongs under heading 1518 as a "modified" vegetable oil.
Top exporters and importers of HS 151511 (the code used for crude flaxseed oil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 151511 (the code used for crude flaxseed oil) in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 61% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Norway, 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 151511, not only crude flaxseed oil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Belgium $89M 61% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$10M 7.0% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $10M 7.0% of world exports
World total: $146M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Norway $25M 20% of world imports
- 2 Chile $15M 12% of world imports
- 3 Japan $15M 12% of world imports
World total: $124M 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 flaxseed oil
Brazil classifies crude flaxseed oil under NCM 1515.11.00: HS 1515.11 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about crude flaxseed oil
What is the HS code for Crude flaxseed oil?
The HS code for Crude flaxseed oil is 151511 (Vegetable oils; linseed oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified). The HS code for crude flaxseed (linseed) oil is 1515.11.
How do I classify Crude flaxseed oil for customs?
Crude flaxseed oil is classified under HS code 151511 — Vegetable oils; linseed oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is industrial-grade linseed oil classified differently?
No, as long as the oil is crude and unrefined, it is classified under 1515.11 regardless of whether it is for industrial or edible use.
Which countries are the top exporters of crude flaxseed oil (HS 151511)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 151511 (the code used for crude flaxseed oil) in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($89M, 61% of world exports), Russia (about $10M) and Germany ($10M). World exports came to about $146M, 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 flaxseed oil (HS 151511)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 151511 (the code used for crude flaxseed oil) in UN Comtrade data were Norway ($25M, 20% of world imports), Chile ($15M) and Japan ($15M). World imports came to about $124M, 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 flaxseed oil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 151511 for Crude flaxseed 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 flaxseed oil in Brazil?
In Brazil, crude flaxseed oil (HS 151511) is classified under NCM 1515.11.00.