Product classification
HS code for Crude glycerol: 1520.00
Glycerol, crude, glycerol waters and glycerol lyes.
Classification of crude glycerol under HS 1520.00
Crude glycerol is classified under HS code 1520.00. This is a unique single-level heading within Chapter 15 that specifically covers "Glycerol, crude; glycerol waters and glycerol lyes." The classification is straightforward because the heading is specific to the unrefined state of the product. Crude glycerol is a byproduct of the manufacture of soap or the production of fatty acids and biodiesel (transesterification). It typically has a purity of less than 95% by weight. The presence of water, salts, and organic impurities characterizes the "crude" status. Glycerol waters are the aqueous residues from the hydrolysis of fats, while glycerol lyes are the residues from soap making. Because heading 1520.00 is a specific four-digit heading that does not have further subheadings in the standard international nomenclature, all forms of unrefined glycerol, regardless of the industrial process that created them, are consolidated here. This follows GRI 1, as the product description perfectly matches the heading text.
- Covers
- Crude glycerin (purity < 95%)
- Glycerol waters
- Glycerol lyes
- Saponification lyes
- Biodiesel byproduct glycerol (unrefined)
- Also under 1520.00
- P&G Chemicals crude glycerin
- Wilmar International crude glycerin
- Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) crude glycerin
- Cargill crude glycerin
Codes often confused with 1520.00
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is HS code 2905.45, which is for refined glycerol (glycerin) with a purity of 95% or higher (calculated on the weight of the dry product). Importers often fail to check the purity levels, leading to incorrect filings. Another misclassification is 3824.99, a general category for chemical mixtures, but since glycerol has a specific heading in Chapter 15, 1520.00 takes precedence according to the rules of specificity.
Top exporters and importers of HS 152000 (the code used for crude glycerol), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 152000 (the code used for crude glycerol) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 57% 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 152000, not only crude glycerol.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $494M 33% of world exports
- 2 Brazil $337M 23% of world exports
- 3 Germany $107M 7.3% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $880M 57% of world imports
- 2 India $128M 8.2% of world imports
- 3 Germany $88M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $1.6B 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 crude glycerol
Brazil splits HS 1520.00 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 1520.00.10Crude glycerol
- 1520.00.20Glycerol waters and glycerol lyes
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about crude glycerol
What is the HS code for Crude glycerol?
The HS code for Crude glycerol is 152000 (Glycerol, crude; glycerol waters and glycerol lyes). The HS code for crude glycerol is 1520.00.
How do I classify Crude glycerol for customs?
Crude glycerol is classified under HS code 152000 — Glycerol, crude; glycerol waters and glycerol lyes. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What purity level distinguishes crude from refined glycerol?
Generally, glycerol with a purity of less than 95% by weight is classified as crude under 1520.00, while glycerol with 95% or higher purity is classified as refined under 2905.45.
Which countries are the top exporters of crude glycerol (HS 152000)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 152000 (the code used for crude glycerol) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($494M, 33% of world exports), Brazil ($337M) and Germany ($107M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 glycerol (HS 152000)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 152000 (the code used for crude glycerol) in UN Comtrade data were China ($880M, 57% of world imports), India ($128M) and Germany ($88M). World imports came to about $1.6B, 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 glycerol the same in all countries?
The base HS code 152000 for Crude glycerol 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 glycerol in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 152000 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for crude glycerol depends on the product's details: 1520.00.10 (Crude glycerol), 1520.00.20 (Glycerol waters and glycerol lyes).