HTS US: 1511.XX.XXXX
Description
HTS Code 1511 is designated for palm oil and its fractions. This category includes all forms of palm oil whether they are refined or unrefined, as long as they have not undergone chemical modification. Palm oil is a widely used vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree, primarily Elaeis guineensis. It plays a significant role in food production, cosmetics, and industrial applications.
The classification covers two main types:
- Crude palm oil (1511.10.00.00): This is the unrefined oil obtained directly from the oil palm fruit, typically dark red in color due to carotene content and containing natural impurities and free fatty acids.
- Other palm oil and its fractions (1511.90.00.00): This includes refined palm oil and other fractions not classified as crude, provided they have not been chemically modified.
Code Hierarchy
- Section II: Vegetable Products (Chapters 06-14)
- Chapter 15: Animal or Vegetable Fats and Oils and Their Cleavage Products; Prepared Edible Fats; Animal or Vegetable Waxes
- Heading 1511: Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.
- US HTS Code (10-digit):
1511.XX.XX.XX– The full 10 digits specify the precise form of the oil, such as crude or other non-chemically modified fractions.
Detailed Breakdown of Subheadings
The heading 1511 is broken down into two main 10-digit HTS codes based on the form of the palm oil:
| HS/HTS Code | Description | Examples & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1511.10.00.00 | Crude oil | Unrefined palm oil obtained directly from the oil palm fruit, typically used as a raw material for further refining or industrial processing. |
| 1511.90.00.00 | Other | Includes refined palm oil and other fractions such as palm olein and palm stearin, provided these oils have not been chemically modified through processes like hydrogenation or interesterification. |
What is NOT Classified Here?
To avoid confusion, the following products are excluded from HTS Code 1511:
- Chemically modified palm oil: Oils that have undergone chemical processes such as hydrogenation or interesterification are classified under other headings (e.g., 1516).
- Other vegetable oils: Oils derived from sources other than oil palm, such as soybean, sunflower, or coconut, fall under their respective headings in Chapter 15.
- Animal fats and oils: These are classified separately under different codes within Chapter 15.
Notes
- Usage: Palm oil is widely used in food products (margarine, baked goods), cosmetics, detergents, and biofuels.
- Import regulations: Importers must ensure compliance with food safety standards and labeling requirements applicable to edible oils.
- Tariff rates: Duty rates vary by country and specific subheading; checking the current tariff schedule is advised for accurate duty assessment.
Declaration Example
Product: Shipment of crude palm oil from Malaysia.US HTS Code:
1511.10.00.00(Crude oil)Unit of Quantity: Kilogram (kg)
General Duty Rate: Check current USHTS (may vary based on trade agreements and quotas)
Additional Requirements: Compliance with FDA food safety regulations and country of origin marking.
Related HTS Codes
- HTS 1512: Sunflower-seed, safflower or cotton-seed oil and fractions thereof, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.
- HTS 1516: Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined.
- HTS 1507: Soya-bean oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.
