Product classification
HS code for Hydrogenated vegetable oil: 1516.20
Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared.
Classification of hydrogenated vegetable oil under HS 1516.20
Hydrogenated vegetable oil is classified under HS code 1516.20. This heading within Chapter 15 is designated for vegetable fats and oils and their fractions that have been partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified, or elaidinised. These processes are used to modify the texture, melting point, and oxidative stability of the oil. For example, liquid soybean oil can be hydrogenated to create a semi-solid fat used in baking. The classification 1516.20 applies regardless of whether the oil has been refined, but it must not be "further prepared." If the oil is mixed with other fats or additives to create a finished product like shortening or margarine, it is excluded from 1516.20 and moved to 1517. The classification is determined by the vegetable origin of the source material and the specific chemical modification of the fatty acid chains through the introduction of hydrogen.
- Covers
- Hydrogenated palm oil
- Hydrogenated soybean oil
- Hydrogenated coconut oil
- Inter-esterified rapeseed oil
- Hydrogenated cottonseed oil
- Also under 1516.20
- Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening
- Spry Vegetable Shortening
- Bunge Loders Croklaan (specialty vegetable fats)
- AAK (specialty vegetable fats)
Codes often confused with 1516.20
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is with HS code 1517.10 (margarine) or 1517.90 (other edible mixtures). If the hydrogenated oil is a single type of oil and not a mixture, it stays in 1516.20. Another common error is using the codes for refined but unmodified oils, such as 1507.90 (refined soybean oil) or 1511.90 (refined palm oil), which do not cover hydrogenated versions.
Top exporters and importers of HS 151620 (the code used for hydrogenated vegetable oil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 151620 (the code used for hydrogenated vegetable oil) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 30% 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 151620, not only hydrogenated vegetable oil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $2.5B 35% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $2.2B 30% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $455M 6.3% of world exports
World total: $7.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $1.8B 30% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $265M 4.4% of world imports
- 3 Germany $223M 3.7% of world imports
World total: $6.0B 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 hydrogenated vegetable oil
Brazil classifies hydrogenated vegetable oil under NCM 1516.20.00: HS 1516.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about hydrogenated vegetable oil
What is the HS code for Hydrogenated vegetable oil?
The HS code for Hydrogenated vegetable oil is 151620 (Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions; partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared). The HS code is 1516.20, which covers vegetable oils that have been chemically modified through hydrogenation.
How do I classify Hydrogenated vegetable oil for customs?
Hydrogenated vegetable oil is classified under HS code 151620 — Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions; partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is hydrogenated oil the same as margarine in HS terms?
No. Hydrogenated oil (1516.20) is a single-ingredient modified fat, while margarine (1517.10) is a prepared edible mixture often containing water, salt, and emulsifiers.
Which countries are the top exporters of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HS 151620)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 151620 (the code used for hydrogenated vegetable oil) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($2.5B, 35% of world exports), Malaysia ($2.2B) and the Netherlands ($455M). World exports came to about $7.2B, 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 hydrogenated vegetable oil (HS 151620)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 151620 (the code used for hydrogenated vegetable oil) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.8B, 30% of world imports), Malaysia ($265M) and Germany ($223M). World imports came to about $6.0B, 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 Hydrogenated vegetable oil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 151620 for Hydrogenated vegetable 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 hydrogenated vegetable oil in Brazil?
In Brazil, hydrogenated vegetable oil (HS 151620) is classified under NCM 1516.20.00.