Product classification
HS code for Refined maize oil: 1515.29
Vegetable oils, maize (corn) oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.
Classification of refined maize oil under HS 1515.29
Refined maize oil, commonly referred to as corn oil, is classified under HS code 1515.29. This classification is situated within Chapter 15, which deals with animal or vegetable fats and oils. Heading 15.15 includes maize oil and its fractions. The subheading 1515.21 is specifically for crude maize oil, whereas 1515.29 is the 'other' category that encompasses refined maize oil. To qualify for this code, the oil must be derived from the germ of the maize (corn) grain and must have undergone refining processes like neutralization, bleaching, or deodorization to remove impurities and free fatty acids. However, the oil must remain 'not chemically modified.' If the maize oil is part of a mixture with other vegetable oils or has been processed into a spread, it would likely fall under heading 15.17. The classification follows GRI 1, which prioritizes the terms of the headings. Refined maize oil is a staple in the food industry due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor, and its classification distinguishes it from other common vegetable oils like soybean or sunflower oil found in other headings of Chapter 15.
- Covers
- Refined corn oil (maize oil)
- Refined maize oil fractions
- Neutralized, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) corn oil
- Cooking maize oil (pure)
- Also under 1515.29
- Mazola Corn Oil
- Wesson Corn Oil
- Crisco Corn Oil
- LouAna Corn Oil
- Goya Corn Oil
Codes often confused with 1515.29
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for refined maize oil (1515.29) is with crude maize oil (1515.21). Crude oil is the raw product obtained from the corn germ before any purification steps. Another common error is classifying maize oil under heading 15.17. Heading 15.17 is for margarine and other edible mixtures of animal or vegetable fats or oils. If the refined maize oil is blended with even a small amount of another oil (like sunflower oil), it must be moved to 15.17. Additionally, if the maize oil has been hydrogenated to make it solid or semi-solid, it is classified under 15.16. Finally, maize oil should not be confused with other vegetable oils like soybean oil (15.07) or sunflower oil (15.12), which have their own specific headings based on botanical origin.
Top exporters and importers of HS 151529 (the code used for refined maize oil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 151529 (the code used for refined maize oil) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Kuwait, with 16% 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 151529, not only refined maize oil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $84M 20% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $74M 18% of world exports
- 3 China $51M 12% of world exports
World total: $420M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Kuwait $65M 16% of world imports
- 2 Libya* ~$51M 13% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 United Arab Emirates* ~$30M 7.4% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $400M 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 refined maize oil
Brazil splits HS 1515.29 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 1515.29.10Refined maize (corn) oil in containers up to 5 l
- 1515.29.90Other non-crude maize (corn) oil
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about refined maize oil
What is the HS code for Refined maize oil?
The HS code for Refined maize oil is 151529 (Vegetable oils; maize (corn) oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified). The HS code for refined maize oil (corn oil) and its fractions, provided they are not chemically modified, is 1515.29.
How do I classify Refined maize oil for customs?
Refined maize oil is classified under HS code 151529 — Vegetable oils; maize (corn) oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the maize oil is hydrogenated?
If the maize oil has been hydrogenated or otherwise chemically modified, it is classified under heading 15.16 instead of 15.15.
Which countries are the top exporters of refined maize oil (HS 151529)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 151529 (the code used for refined maize oil) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($84M, 20% of world exports), Türkiye ($74M) and China ($51M). World exports came to about $420M, 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 refined maize oil (HS 151529)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 151529 (the code used for refined maize oil) in UN Comtrade data were Kuwait ($65M, 16% of world imports), Libya (about $51M) and the United Arab Emirates (about $30M). World imports came to about $400M, 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 Refined maize oil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 151529 for Refined maize 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 refined maize oil in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 151529 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for refined maize oil depends on the product's details: 1515.29.10 (Refined maize (corn) oil in containers up to 5 l), 1515.29.90 (Other non-crude maize (corn) oil).