HS Code for Vegetable pitch

Vegetable pitch is classified under HS code 3807.00, a heading that encompasses wood tar, wood tar oils, wood creosote, wood naphtha, and vegetable pitch. This classification is based on the chemical nature of the product as a residue of the distillation or treatment of vegetable materials. Vegetable pitch, also known as stearin pitch or fatty acid pitch, is the dark, viscous residue obtained from the distillation of fatty acids, tall oil, or vegetable oils. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, heading 3807 includes products that are used in the preparation of caulking compounds, for the coating of casks, or for the waterproofing of fabrics. The classification under 3807.00 is appropriate because the product is a chemical preparation or a residue of the chemical industry that does not fit into the more specific categories of Chapter 15, which covers fats and oils in their primary or modified forms. Vegetable pitch is distinct from mineral-based pitches because of its organic, non-fossil origin. It is often used in the manufacture of lubricants, fuel oils, or as a binder in various industrial applications. The heading also includes brewers' pitch, which is used for coating the interior of beer barrels and is typically composed of a mixture of vegetable pitch, resins, and oils. The consistency of these products can range from a semi-liquid to a solid, but they are all grouped under this single subheading due to their shared origin and industrial utility.

Products Included

• Stearin pitch (residue from fatty acid distillation)
• Tall oil pitch
• Brewers' pitch for barrel coating
• Wool grease pitch
• Resin pitch used in industrial binders
• Vegetable tar residues

Common Misclassification

Vegetable pitch is often confused with mineral pitch or bitumen, which are classified under HS code 2708 (pitch and pitch coke from coal tar) or HS code 2713 (petroleum bitumen). The primary distinction lies in the source material; 3807.00 is strictly for vegetable-derived residues, while Chapter 27 covers mineral-derived substances. Additionally, it should not be confused with modified vegetable oils in heading 1518, which are chemically modified but have not been distilled down to a pitch residue.

FAQ

What is the HS code for vegetable pitch?

The HS code for vegetable pitch is 3807.00, which includes wood tar, wood tar oils, and similar preparations.

Is vegetable pitch the same as asphalt?

No, asphalt is a mineral product classified in Chapter 27, whereas vegetable pitch is a residue from the processing of vegetable fats, oils, or resins.