Product classification

HS code for Essential oil: 3301.29

Oils, essential, n.e.c. in heading no. 3301 (terpeneless or not), including concretes and absolutes.

Classification of essential oil under HS 3301.29

Essential oils are classified under HS code 3301.29 when they are not specifically named in the other subheadings of heading 3301. This heading covers essential oils (terpeneless or not), including concretes and absolutes, which are extracted from plant materials. The classification is determined by the extraction method—typically steam distillation, expression, or solvent extraction—and the fact that the product consists of the volatile aromatic compounds of the plant. Subheading 3301.29 serves as the "other" category for oils that do not have their own dedicated 6-digit code. While citrus oils (3301.12-3301.19) and mint oils (3301.24-3301.25) have specific codes, oils like lavender, sandalwood, or eucalyptus fall into 3301.29. To qualify for this code, the oil must be a natural extract and must not be mixed with other substances like fixed oils, alcohol, or synthetic odoriferous substances, as such mixtures would change the classification to heading 3302 or 3307.

Covers
  • Lavender essential oil
  • Eucalyptus essential oil
  • Sandalwood essential oil
  • Patchouli essential oil
  • Ylang-ylang essential oil
  • Tea tree essential oil
  • Rosewood essential oil
Also under 3301.29
  • Givaudan Essential Oils
  • Firmenich Absolutes
  • Robertet Group Essential Oils
  • Symrise Essential Oils
  • IFF Essential Oils

Codes often confused with 3301.29

Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 3302.10 or 3302.90, which covers mixtures of odoriferous substances used as raw materials in industry. If an essential oil has been blended with another oil or a synthetic fragrance, it loses its status as a single essential oil and moves to 3302. Another common error is confusing essential oils with fixed vegetable oils (Chapter 15), such as olive or coconut oil. Fixed oils are non-volatile and have a different chemical structure. Additionally, if the oil is put up for retail sale as a perfume or cosmetic, it might be argued to fall under 3307, though 3301 generally takes precedence for pure extracts.

3302.10Odoriferous substances and mixtures; of a kind used in the food or drink industries3302.90Odoriferous substances and mixtures; used as raw materials in industries other than the food or drink industries33.02Odoriferous substances and mixtures (including alcoholic solutions) with a basis of one or more of these substances, of a kind used as raw materials in industry; other preparations based on odoriferous substances, of a kind used for beverage manufacture33.07Perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations; pre-shave, shaving, after-shave, bath preparations; personal deodorants and depilatories; room deodorisers, perfumed or not with disinfectant properties or not33.01Oils; essential (concretes, absolutes); concentrates thereof in fats, fixed oils, waxes or the like (obtained by enfleurage or maceration); aqueous distillates, solutions and terpenic by-products thereof; resinoids; extracted oleoresins

Top exporters and importers of HS 330129 (the code used for essential oil), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 330129 (the code used for essential oil) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 14% 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 330129, not only essential oil.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 France $447M
  2. 2 China $235M
  3. 3 United States $231M

World total: $2.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 France $394M
  2. 2 United States $385M
  3. 3 India $172M

World total: $2.7B 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 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 essential oil

Brazil splits HS 3301.29 into 12 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 essential oil

What is the HS code for Essential oil?

The HS code for Essential oil is 330129 (Oils, essential; n.e.c. in heading no. 3301 (terpeneless or not), including concretes and absolutes). The HS code for essential oils not specifically named elsewhere (like lavender or eucalyptus) is 3301.29.

How do I classify Essential oil for customs?

Essential oil is classified under HS code 330129 — Oils, essential; n.e.c. in heading no. 3301 (terpeneless or not), including concretes and absolutes. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is synthetic fragrance oil classified under 3301.29?

No, synthetic fragrance oils are not essential oils. They are typically classified under HS code 3302.90 as mixtures of odoriferous substances.

Which countries are the top exporters of essential oil (HS 330129)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 330129 (the code used for essential oil) in UN Comtrade data were France ($447M, 18% of world exports), China ($235M) and the United States ($231M). World exports came to about $2.6B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of essential oil (HS 330129)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 330129 (the code used for essential oil) in UN Comtrade data were France ($394M, 14% of world imports), the United States ($385M) and India ($172M). World imports came to about $2.7B, 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 Essential oil the same in all countries?

The base HS code 330129 for Essential 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 essential oil in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 330129 into 12 NCM codes, so the right one for essential oil depends on the product's details: 3301.29.11 (Citronella essential oil), 3301.29.12 (Cedar essential oil), 3301.29.13 (Guaiacwood essential oil), 3301.29.14 (Lemongrass essential oil), 3301.29.15 (Rosewood essential oil), 3301.29.16 (Palmarosa essential oil), and more.