Product classification
HS code for Oleic acid: 3823.12
Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining, oleic acid.
Classification of oleic acid under HS 3823.12
Oleic acid of industrial grade is classified under HS code 3823.12. This code is located within Chapter 38, which covers miscellaneous chemical products. Heading 3823 specifically addresses industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids and acid oils from refining. Subheading 3823.12 is dedicated to oleic acid. It is important to distinguish between industrial-grade fatty acids, which are mixtures of fatty acids where one component predominates, and chemically pure fatty acids. The industrial version classified here is typically derived from the hydrolysis of animal or vegetable fats followed by distillation or fractional crystallization. It is widely used in the production of soaps, detergents, lubricants, and cosmetics. The classification under 3823.12 is appropriate when the product is a commercial mixture of fatty acids containing a high percentage of oleic acid (typically 70% or more) but not meeting the strict purity requirements of Chapter 29.
- Covers
- Commercial grade oleic acid
- Red oil (industrial oleic acid)
- Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acid mixtures (oleic-rich)
- Saponified animal or vegetable fats (distilled)
- Oleic acid for industrial lubricant manufacturing
- Also under 3823.12
- Croda Oleic Acid
- BASF Oleic Acid
- Emery Oleochemicals Oleic Acid
- Wilmar Oleic Acid
- KLK Oleo Oleic Acid
Codes often confused with 3823.12
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for oleic acid is HS code 2916.15. Code 2916.15 is reserved for chemically pure oleic acid, its salts, and esters. If the oleic acid has a purity of 90% or higher (by weight of the dry product), it may be considered a separate chemically defined compound and moved to Chapter 29. Another error involves 3823.19, which is the residual category for other industrial fatty acids like linoleic acid. Additionally, before the 2022 HS updates, some fatty acids were confused with 1519, but 3823 is now the standard heading for these industrial products.
Top exporters and importers of HS 382312 (the code used for oleic acid), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 382312 (the code used for oleic acid) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 20% 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 382312, not only oleic acid.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $217M 35% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $205M 33% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $44M 7.2% of world exports
World total: $612M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $127M 20% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $56M 8.9% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $39M 6.3% of world imports
World total: $631M 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 oleic acid
Brazil classifies oleic acid under NCM 3823.12.00: HS 3823.12 with 00 added.
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 oleic acid
What is the HS code for Oleic acid?
The HS code for Oleic acid is 382312 (Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining; oleic acid).
How do I classify Oleic acid for customs?
Oleic acid is classified under HS code 382312 — Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining; oleic acid. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for industrial oleic acid?
The HS code for industrial-grade oleic acid is 3823.12.
When should I use 2916.15 instead of 3823.12?
You should use 2916.15 only if the oleic acid is a chemically pure, separate defined compound, typically with a purity level exceeding 90%.
Which countries are the top exporters of oleic acid (HS 382312)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 382312 (the code used for oleic acid) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($217M, 35% of world exports), Malaysia ($205M) and Belgium ($44M). World exports came to about $612M, 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 oleic acid (HS 382312)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 382312 (the code used for oleic acid) in UN Comtrade data were China ($127M, 20% of world imports), Malaysia ($56M) and South Korea ($39M). World imports came to about $631M, 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 Oleic acid the same in all countries?
The base HS code 382312 for Oleic acid 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 oleic acid in Brazil?
In Brazil, oleic acid (HS 382312) is classified under NCM 3823.12.00.