Product classification

HS code for Crude sunflower oil: 1512.11

Vegetable oils, sunflower seed or safflower oil and their fractions, crude, not chemically modified.

Classification of crude sunflower oil under HS 1512.11

HS code 1512.11 is a joint classification for crude sunflower-seed oil and crude safflower oil. These oils are grouped together because they share similar extraction methods and end-use profiles. To be classified under this code, the oil must be extracted from the seeds of Helianthus annuus (sunflower) or Carthamus tinctorius (safflower). The "crude" designation implies that the oil has been obtained through mechanical pressing or solvent extraction and has not been subjected to refining processes such as neutralization, bleaching, or deodorization. The Harmonized System requires that the oil remains in its natural state, although it may have undergone basic physical cleaning such as filtration or centrifugation to remove impurities. It is important to note that even if the oil is intended for technical or industrial use, it remains under this code as long as it is crude. If the oil is refined—meaning it has been treated to remove free fatty acids, pigments, or odors—it moves to subheading 1512.19. Furthermore, the oil must not be chemically modified (e.g., hydrogenated or esterified). Importers should be aware that high-oleic sunflower oil is still classified here if it is crude, as the HS code does not currently distinguish between standard and high-oleic varieties at the six-digit level.

Covers
  • Crude sunflower-seed oil
  • Crude safflower oil
  • Unrefined sunflower oil fractions
  • Crude high-oleic sunflower oil
Also under 1512.11
  • Bunge Crude Sunflower Oil
  • ADM Crude Safflower Oil
  • Cargill Crude Sunflower Oil
  • Kernel Holding S.A. Crude Sunflower Oil

Codes often confused with 1512.11

Common mistake. The most common error is misclassifying the product under 1512.19, which is for refined sunflower or safflower oil. Another error involves confusing it with cotton-seed oil (1512.21) or other seed oils in the 1512 heading. Blends of sunflower and other oils must be classified under 1517.90.

1512.19Vegetable oils; sunflower seed or safflower oil and their fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified1512.21Vegetable oils; cotton-seed oil and its fractions; crude, whether or not gossypol has been removed, not chemically modified15.12Sun-flower seed, safflower or cotton-seed oil and their fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified1517.90Edible mixtures or preparations of animal, vegetable or microbial fats or oils or of fractions of different fats or oils of this Chapter, n.e.c. in heading 1517, other than edible fats and oils or their fractions of heading 15.16

Top exporters and importers of HS 151211 (the code used for crude sunflower oil), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 151211 (the code used for crude sunflower oil) in UN Comtrade data was Ukraine, with about 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 27% 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 151211, not only crude sunflower oil.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Ukraine* ~$4.2B
  2. 2 Russia* ~$3.5B
  3. 3 Argentina $1.0B

World total: $12.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 India $3.4B
  2. 2 Türkiye $1.5B
  3. 3 Spain $1.0B

World total: $12.7B 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 codes for crude sunflower oil

Brazil splits HS 1512.11 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

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

Questions about crude sunflower oil

What is the HS code for Crude sunflower oil?

The HS code for Crude sunflower oil is 151211 (Vegetable oils; sunflower seed or safflower oil and their fractions, crude, not chemically modified). The HS code for crude sunflower oil is 1512.11.

How do I classify Crude sunflower oil for customs?

Crude sunflower oil is classified under HS code 151211 — Vegetable oils; sunflower seed or safflower oil and their fractions, crude, not chemically modified. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include safflower oil?

Yes, both crude sunflower-seed oil and crude safflower oil are classified under the same HS code, 1512.11.

Which countries are the top exporters of crude sunflower oil (HS 151211)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 151211 (the code used for crude sunflower oil) in UN Comtrade data were Ukraine (about $4.2B, 35% of world exports), Russia (about $3.5B) and Argentina ($1.0B). World exports came to about $12.1B, 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 sunflower oil (HS 151211)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 151211 (the code used for crude sunflower oil) in UN Comtrade data were India ($3.4B, 27% of world imports), Türkiye ($1.5B) and Spain ($1.0B). World imports came to about $12.7B, 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 sunflower oil the same in all countries?

The base HS code 151211 for Crude sunflower 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 sunflower oil in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 151211 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for crude sunflower oil depends on the product's details: 1512.11.10 (Crude sunflower-seed oil), 1512.11.20 (Crude safflower oil).