Product classification
HS code for Refined palm oil: 1511.90
Vegetable oils, palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.
Classification of refined palm oil under HS 1511.90
Refined palm oil is classified under HS code 1511.90. Heading 1511 covers palm oil and its fractions. The classification is split between crude palm oil (1511.10) and "other" (1511.90). The "other" category includes refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) palm oil, as well as liquid fractions like palm olein and solid fractions like palm stearin. These fractions are obtained by fractionation processes such as cooling and subsequent filtration or centrifugal separation. As long as these processes do not involve chemical modification (like hydrogenation), they remain under 1511.90. Refined palm oil is a major global commodity used extensively in the food industry for frying and as an ingredient in processed foods, as well as in the soap and cosmetic industries. The refining process is necessary to remove the deep red color (carotenoids) and the strong odor of the crude oil, making it more versatile for commercial use.
- Covers
- Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized (RBD) palm oil
- Refined palm olein
- Refined palm stearin
- Palm oil fractions (not chemically modified)
- Neutralized palm oil
- Also under 1511.90
- Cargill RBD Palm Olein
- Musim Mas RBD Palm Oil
- Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK) Refined Palm Products
- AAK Refined Palm Oil
Codes often confused with 1511.90
Common mistake. Refined palm oil is most commonly misclassified with crude palm oil (1511.10). It is also often confused with palm kernel oil, which is derived from the seed of the palm fruit rather than the mesocarp (flesh) and is classified under 1513.21 (crude) or 1513.29 (refined). Additionally, if palm oil is hydrogenated to change its melting point, it must be classified under 1516.20. Mixtures of palm oil with other oils for use as shortening or margarine fall under 1517.
Top exporters and importers of HS 151190 (the code used for refined palm oil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 151190 (the code used for refined palm oil) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 57% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Pakistan, with 11% 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 151190, not only refined palm oil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $21.3B 57% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $11.8B 31% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $1.1B 3.0% of world exports
World total: $37.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Pakistan $3.8B 11% of world imports
- 2 China $3.5B 9.8% of world imports
- 3 United States $1.8B 5.1% of world imports
World total: $35.7B 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 refined palm oil
Brazil classifies refined palm oil under NCM 1511.90.00: HS 1511.90 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 refined palm oil
What is the HS code for Refined palm oil?
The HS code for Refined palm oil is 151190 (Vegetable oils; palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified). The HS code for refined palm oil is 1511.90, which covers palm oil and its fractions that are not crude and not chemically modified.
How do I classify Refined palm oil for customs?
Refined palm oil is classified under HS code 151190 — Vegetable oils; palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is palm kernel oil classified under 1511.90?
No, palm kernel oil is a different product derived from the kernel (seed) and is classified under HS code 1513.29 if refined.
Which countries are the top exporters of refined palm oil (HS 151190)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 151190 (the code used for refined palm oil) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($21.3B, 57% of world exports), Malaysia ($11.8B) and the Netherlands ($1.1B). World exports came to about $37.7B, 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 palm oil (HS 151190)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 151190 (the code used for refined palm oil) in UN Comtrade data were Pakistan ($3.8B, 11% of world imports), China ($3.5B) and the United States ($1.8B). World imports came to about $35.7B, 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 palm oil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 151190 for Refined palm 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 palm oil in Brazil?
In Brazil, refined palm oil (HS 151190) is classified under NCM 1511.90.00.