HS Code 1512 Explained — Sunflower Oil, Safflower Oil Classification
HS Code 1512 covers sunflower-seed and safflower oil — crude and refined. Here's exactly how to classify your shipment, calculate import duties, and find the right sub-code for your product.
HS Code 1512 covers sunflower-seed and safflower oil and their fractions — whether crude or refined. Getting the sub-code right is critical because import duty rates differ significantly between crude (1512.11) and refined (1512.19) product.
The 1512 Sub-code Structure
•1512.11 — Crude sunflower-seed or safflower oil - Used for: unrefined oil direct from extraction, destined for refineries - Key market: Turkey, China, Netherlands import crude for domestic refining - 1512.19 — Other (refined, bleached, deodorized sunflower oil) - Used for: RBD Grade 1 and Grade 2 refined sunflower oil - Key market: India, China, Egypt, MENA region import refined for consumption
Duty Rate Comparison
| Country | 1512.11 (Crude) | 1512.19 (Refined) |
|---|---|---|
| India | 35% | 100% |
| China | 9% | 9% |
| EU | 0% | 0–3.2% |
| UAE | 5% | 5% |
India's large duty differential (35% vs 100%) explains why India predominantly imports crude oil for domestic refining rather than finished refined product.
How to Choose the Right Code
If your product has been through a refining process (removing FFA, bleaching, deodorizing) → use 1512.19. If the oil is in its natural state after pressing → use 1512.11. When in doubt, your customs broker or a third-party lab can issue a classification opinion based on the product's technical specification.