Product classification
HS code for Crude palm oil: 1511.10
Vegetable oils, palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified.
Classification of crude palm oil under HS 1511.10
Classification of crude palm oil under HS code 1511.10 is governed by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6, alongside the specific Chapter 15 notes of the Harmonized System. This code is strictly reserved for palm oil that has been extracted from the fleshy mesocarp of the oil palm fruit (Elaeis guineensis), typically through a process of steaming, digestion, and mechanical pressing. To be classified as "crude" under this subheading, the oil must not have undergone any chemical modification or refining processes such as neutralization, bleaching, or deodorization. The distinction between crude and refined palm oil is critical for customs valuation and regulatory compliance, as refined oils (1511.90) often face different tariff rates and import restrictions. The physical characteristics of crude palm oil include a high content of carotenoids, giving it a distinct deep orange to red color, and a specific range of free fatty acids. If the oil has been fractionated—separated into liquid (olein) and solid (stearin) components—it remains under this code as long as the fractions themselves are crude and not chemically modified. Importers must ensure that the product has not been "degummed" or "winterized" in a way that constitutes refining according to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System. The classification also requires that the oil has not been esterified or otherwise altered in its molecular structure.
- Covers
- Crude palm oil
- Crude palm olein (unrefined)
- Crude palm stearin (unrefined)
- Unrefined palm oil fractions
- Also under 1511.10
- Wilmar International Crude Palm Oil
- Sime Darby Plantation Crude Palm Oil
- IOI Corporation Crude Palm Oil
- Golden Agri-Resources Crude Palm Oil
Codes often confused with 1511.10
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 1511.90, which covers refined palm oil and its fractions. Another common error is confusing palm oil with palm kernel oil, which is classified under HS code 1513.21 (crude) or 1513.29 (refined). Palm kernel oil is derived from the seed (kernel) rather than the fruit pulp and has a significantly different fatty acid profile.
Top exporters and importers of HS 151110 (the code used for crude palm oil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 151110 (the code used for crude palm oil) in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 59% 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 151110, not only crude palm oil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Malaysia $3.1B 29% of world exports
- 2 Indonesia $3.1B 28% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $1.3B 12% of world exports
World total: $10.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $7.5B 59% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $1.3B 11% of world imports
- 3 Saudi Arabia $548M 4.3% of world imports
World total: $12.8B 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 code for crude palm oil
Brazil classifies crude palm oil under NCM 1511.10.00: HS 1511.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about crude palm oil
What is the HS code for Crude palm oil?
The HS code for Crude palm oil is 151110 (Vegetable oils; palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified). The HS code for crude palm oil is 1511.10.
How do I classify Crude palm oil for customs?
Crude palm oil is classified under HS code 151110 — Vegetable oils; palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is palm kernel oil included under this HS code?
No, palm kernel oil is classified under HS code 1513.21 if crude, as it is derived from a different part of the plant.
Which countries are the top exporters of crude palm oil (HS 151110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 151110 (the code used for crude palm oil) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($3.1B, 29% of world exports), Indonesia ($3.1B) and Thailand ($1.3B). World exports came to about $10.9B, 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 palm oil (HS 151110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 151110 (the code used for crude palm oil) in UN Comtrade data were India ($7.5B, 59% of world imports), the Netherlands ($1.3B) and Saudi Arabia ($548M). World imports came to about $12.8B, 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 palm oil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 151110 for Crude palm 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 palm oil in Brazil?
In Brazil, crude palm oil (HS 151110) is classified under NCM 1511.10.00.