Product classification

HS code for Oil cake: 2306.90

Oil-cake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of oils, n.e.c. in heading no. 2306.

Classification of oil cake under HS 2306.90

Oil cake is classified under HS code 2306.90, a designation that covers oil-cake and other solid residues resulting from the extraction of vegetable fats or oils, other than those specifically mentioned in the preceding subheadings. This classification is governed by the principles of Chapter 23, which encompasses residues and waste from the food industries and prepared animal fodder. The primary criterion for classification under heading 2306 is that the product must be a residue of the oil extraction process. This process typically involves either mechanical pressing (expeller method) or solvent extraction. The resulting "cake" or "meal" contains the protein-rich remains of the seeds or fruits after the lipid content has been removed. Subheading 2306.90 is a residual category, meaning it includes residues from oilseeds not elsewhere specified, such as mustard seeds, sesame seeds, safflower seeds, and castor beans. It excludes soybean residues (2304), groundnut residues (2305), and residues from linseed, sunflower, rape, or coconut (which have their own subheadings within 2306). According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6, the classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Note 1 to Chapter 23 clarifies that this heading includes products of a kind used in animal feeding, not elsewhere specified or included, obtained by the processing of vegetable or animal materials. The physical form of the oil cake—whether it is in large chunks, ground into a fine powder (meal), or compressed into pellets—does not change its classification under 2306.90.

Covers
  • Sesame seed oil cake and meal
  • Mustard seed oil cake and residues
  • Castor bean oil cake
  • Hemp seed oil cake
  • Safflower seed residues
  • Poppy seed oil cake
  • Niger seed residues
Also under 2306.90
  • ADM Sunflower Meal
  • Bunge Rapeseed Meal
  • Cargill Linseed Cake
  • Louis Dreyfus Company Oilseed Meals
  • local feed ingredient suppliers.

Codes often confused with 2306.90

Common mistake. Oil cake is frequently confused with HS code 2304.00 (Soybean oil cake) or 2305.00 (Groundnut oil cake). These have their own specific headings due to their high trade volume. It may also be misclassified under 2302 (Bran, sharps, and other residues) if the product contains significant amounts of cereal husks rather than being a pure byproduct of oil extraction. Additionally, if the residue is intended for human consumption (e.g., certain defatted flours), it may fall under Chapter 19 or 21.

2304.00Oil-cake and other solid residues; whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of soya-bean oil2305.00Oil-cake and other solid residues; whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of ground-nut oil23.02Bran, sharps and other residues; whether or not in the form of pellets derived from the sifting, milling or other working of cereals or of leguminous plants

Top exporters and importers of HS 230690 (the code used for oil cake), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 230690 (the code used for oil cake) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 8.9% 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 230690, not only oil cake.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 India $58M
  2. 2 China $27M
  3. 3 Nepal* ~$20M

World total: $287M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 South Korea $24M
  2. 2 India $23M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$17M

World total: $270M 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 oil cake

Brazil splits HS 2306.90 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 2306.90.10Maize (corn) germ oil-cake and residues
  • 2306.90.90Other vegetable or microbial oil-cake, residues

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 oil cake

What is the HS code for Oil cake?

The HS code for Oil cake is 230690 (Oil-cake and other solid residues; whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of oils, n.e.c. in heading no. 2306). The HS code for oil cake not elsewhere specified (such as sesame or mustard cake) is 2306.90.

How do I classify Oil cake for customs?

Oil cake is classified under HS code 230690 — Oil-cake and other solid residues; whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of oils, n.e.c. in heading no. 2306. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is oil cake classified differently if it is in pellet form?

No, HS code 2306.90 specifically includes residues whether or not they are ground or in the form of pellets.

Which countries are the top exporters of oil cake (HS 230690)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 230690 (the code used for oil cake) in UN Comtrade data were India ($58M, 20% of world exports), China ($27M) and Nepal (about $20M). World exports came to about $287M, 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 oil cake (HS 230690)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 230690 (the code used for oil cake) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($24M, 8.9% of world imports), India ($23M) and Vietnam (about $17M). World imports came to about $270M, 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 Oil cake the same in all countries?

The base HS code 230690 for Oil cake 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 oil cake in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 230690 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for oil cake depends on the product's details: 2306.90.10 (Maize (corn) germ oil-cake and residues), 2306.90.90 (Other vegetable or microbial oil-cake, residues).