Product classification
HS code for Modified microbial oil: 1516.30
Microbial 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 modified microbial oil under HS 1516.30
Modified microbial oils are classified under HS code 1516.30 because they represent fats and oils derived from micro-organisms that have undergone specific chemical modifications. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) and the Explanatory Notes to Chapter 15, heading 15.16 covers fats and oils that have been partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified, or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared. While microbial oils in their crude or refined state (without chemical modification) might fall elsewhere, the specific processes of hydrogenation or re-esterification trigger classification here. This code ensures that biotechnologically derived lipids, such as those from algae or fungi, are categorized similarly to their animal and vegetable counterparts when subjected to identical industrial modifications. The classification depends on the source being microbial and the modification being one of the four specified chemical treatments. These oils are increasingly used in specialized food applications, infant formula, and pharmaceutical products due to their high concentration of specific fatty acids like DHA or ARA. The legal text of 1516.30 specifically isolates microbial sources to distinguish them from traditional agricultural fats, reflecting modern advancements in lipid production technology.
- Covers
- Hydrogenated algal oil
- Inter-esterified fungal lipids
- Re-esterified microbial oils for nutritional supplements
- Elaidinised oils derived from yeast
- Refined but chemically modified microbial fats
- Also under 1516.30
DSM Life's Omega (modified algal oil), Corbion Algal DHA (modified), various specialty fats from companies like AAK or Bunge (if microbial origin and modified)
Codes often confused with 1516.30
Common mistake. Modified microbial oils are frequently confused with HS code 1512.11 or 1512.19, which are reserved for sunflower or safflower oils. They are also often misclassified under 15.18, which covers animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils that have been chemically modified by other means, such as boiling, oxidation, or dehydration. The distinction lies in the specific chemical process; if the modification is hydrogenation or inter-esterification, 15.16 is the correct heading. Furthermore, if the oil is prepared as a finished medicament, it may be moved to Chapter 30.
Top exporters and importers of HS 151630 (the code used for modified microbial oil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 151630 (the code used for modified microbial oil) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Tanzania, 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 151630, not only modified microbial oil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $12M 41% of world exports
- 2 Canada $4.1M 15% of world exports
- 3 Norway $3.8M 13% of world exports
World total: $28M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Tanzania $11M 27% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $6.4M 16% of world imports
- 3 Austria $2.9M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $39M 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 modified microbial oil
Brazil classifies modified microbial oil under NCM 1516.30.00: HS 1516.30 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about modified microbial oil
What is the HS code for Modified microbial oil?
The HS code for Modified microbial oil is 151630 (Microbial 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 correct HS code for modified microbial oil is 1516.30, provided the modification involves hydrogenation, inter-esterification, re-esterification, or elaidinisation.
How do I classify Modified microbial oil for customs?
Modified microbial oil is classified under HS code 151630 — Microbial 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.
What is the difference between HS 1516 and HS 1518?
HS 1516 is restricted to four specific chemical processes (hydrogenation, inter-esterification, re-esterification, and elaidinisation), whereas HS 1518 covers oils modified by other methods like oxidation, sulfurization, or blowing.
Which countries are the top exporters of modified microbial oil (HS 151630)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 151630 (the code used for modified microbial oil) in UN Comtrade data were France ($12M, 41% of world exports), Canada ($4.1M) and Norway ($3.8M). World exports came to about $28M, 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 modified microbial oil (HS 151630)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 151630 (the code used for modified microbial oil) in UN Comtrade data were Tanzania ($11M, 27% of world imports), South Korea ($6.4M) and Austria ($2.9M). World imports came to about $39M, 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 Modified microbial oil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 151630 for Modified microbial 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 modified microbial oil in Brazil?
In Brazil, modified microbial oil (HS 151630) is classified under NCM 1516.30.00.