HS Code for Refined cottonseed oil

Refined cottonseed oil is classified under HS code 1512.29 because it falls within Chapter 15, which encompasses animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products. Specifically, heading 1512 covers sunflower-seed, safflower, or cotton-seed oil and fractions thereof, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. Within this heading, the code is divided by the state of the oil. Subheading 1512.21 is reserved for crude oil, while 1512.29 is the residual category for "other," which includes oil that has undergone refining processes such as neutralizing, bleaching, or deodorizing. To qualify for this code, the oil must remain in its natural triglyceride state without undergoing chemical modification like hydrogenation or interesterification. The refining process typically involves the removal of free fatty acids and gossypol, a naturally occurring pigment in cotton seeds, to make the oil suitable for human consumption or industrial use. The classification remains 1512.29 even if the oil has been fractionated into olein or stearin, provided no chemical changes have occurred.

Products Included

• Refined cottonseed oil
• Winterized cottonseed oil
• Cottonseed olein (not chemically modified)
• Cottonseed stearin (not chemically modified)
• Deodorized cottonseed oil
• Bleached cottonseed oil

Common Misclassification

Refined cottonseed oil is frequently confused with crude cottonseed oil, which is classified under 1512.21. The distinction lies in the level of processing; crude oil has not undergone the neutralizing or bleaching steps. Another common error is classifying cottonseed oil that has been hydrogenated or hardened under 1512.29, whereas it should be placed under 1516.20. Furthermore, if the oil is mixed with other vegetable oils for retail sale as a cooking blend, it may fall under 1517.90 as a mixture of vegetable oils.

FAQ

What is the HS code for refined cottonseed oil?

The HS code for refined cottonseed oil is 1512.29, which covers cottonseed oil and its fractions other than crude, provided they are not chemically modified.

Does 1512.29 include cottonseed oil used for industrial purposes?

Yes, as long as the oil is refined and not chemically modified, it is classified under 1512.29 regardless of whether it is intended for food use or industrial applications.