The sunflower oil HS code is one of the first things an importer needs and one of the easiest to get slightly wrong. Pick the wrong code and you can pay the wrong duty, wait days for customs to query the entry, or lose a preferential rate you were entitled to. Get it right and the oil clears quietly, which is exactly what you want.
We export sunflower oil from Thailand to buyers worldwide, in bulk and in bottles, and we prepare the documents for every load. This guide explains the sunflower oil HS code in plain terms: which code fits which product, how countries extend it, what documents go with it, and the mistakes we see most often.
Table of Contents
The short answer
Sunflower oil sits under HS heading 1512. At the international six-digit level, there are two codes you’ll use:
| HS code | Description | Typical products |
|---|---|---|
| 1512.11 | Sunflower-seed or safflower oil and their fractions, crude | Crude sunflower oil for refining |
| 1512.19 | Sunflower-seed or safflower oil and their fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined | Refined, deodorized, winterized, high oleic and bottled sunflower oil |
So the sunflower oil HS code is 1512.11 for crude oil and 1512.19 for refined oil. Those six digits are the same in every country that uses the Harmonized System, which is managed by the World Customs Organization. After six digits, each country adds its own numbers.
What heading 1512 covers
When you look up the sunflower oil HS code, you’ll find it inside heading 1512. Heading 1512 covers sunflower-seed, safflower and cotton-seed oils and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. That last part matters. As long as the oil is still a natural oil that’s been pressed, extracted, refined or fractionated, it stays in 1512.
Here’s how the full heading breaks down at six digits, with the sunflower oil HS code lines at the top.
| Code | Covers |
|---|---|
| 1512.11 | Sunflower-seed or safflower oil, crude |
| 1512.19 | Sunflower-seed or safflower oil, other (refined and so on) |
| 1512.21 | Cotton-seed oil, crude |
| 1512.29 | Cotton-seed oil, other |
Sunflower and safflower share codes because they’re similar oils. National tariffs usually split them at the eight or ten digit level.
Which sunflower oil HS code fits your product?
| Product | Sunflower oil HS code (6 digits) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crude sunflower oil | 1512.11 | Unrefined, as it comes from the mill |
| Refined sunflower oil | 1512.19 | Bulk or bottled |
| Deodorized sunflower oil | 1512.19 | Deodorizing is part of refining |
| Winterized sunflower oil | 1512.19 | Dewaxing doesn’t change the code |
| High oleic sunflower oil | 1512.19 (or 1512.11 if crude) | Bred, not chemically modified |
| Organic sunflower oil | 1512.19 (or 1512.11 if crude) | Organic status doesn’t change the code |
| Sunflower oil in 1 to 5 litre bottles | 1512.19 | Retail packing doesn’t change the code |
| Blend of sunflower and palm oil | Usually 1517 | Edible mixtures of different oils |
| Hydrogenated sunflower oil | 1516 | Chemically modified fats |
| Sunflower seeds | 1206 | The seed itself, not the oil |
| Sunflower meal or cake | 2306 | By-product after oil extraction |
You can see our full product range on the sunflower oil page, including crude sunflower oil, refined sunflower oil, high oleic sunflower oil and organic sunflower oil.
Crude or refined: where’s the line?
This is the most important decision in choosing the sunflower oil HS code, because crude and refined often carry different duty rates.
In customs terms, crude oil is oil that hasn’t been processed beyond basic steps such as pressing, extraction, settling and filtering, and sometimes degumming. Once oil has been neutralized, bleached or deodorized, it’s normally treated as “other than crude”, which means 1512.19.
If you’re not sure which side your oil falls on, look at the product’s COA and the producer’s process description. Refined sunflower oil has very low free fatty acid, a pale colour and a neutral smell. Crude oil is darker, has a seedy smell and higher free fatty acid. Our guide on crude vs refined sunflower oil explains the process differences.
How countries extend the code
The first six digits of the sunflower oil HS code are global. After that, each customs union or country adds two to four more digits for its own tariff and statistics. A few examples:
- European Union. The Combined Nomenclature uses eight digits, with TARIC adding two more. Crude sunflower oil is split by use, for example oil for technical or industrial uses versus other uses, and refined oil is split the same way. The EU’s TARIC database shows the current codes and duty rates.
- United States. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule uses ten digits. Crude sits under 1512.11 and refined under 1512.19, with statistical suffixes separating sunflower from safflower. The USITC HTS search lists the current lines.
- Gulf countries. The GCC common tariff uses its own eight to twelve digit structure based on HS 1512.
- ASEAN. Members use the ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature at eight digits.
Always confirm the full national code with your customs broker or the official tariff database before shipping. Duty rates, and sometimes the codes themselves, change from year to year.
Duty rates: what affects them
The sunflower oil HS code decides which duty line applies, but we don’t quote duty rates here, because they depend on the country, the date, the trade agreement and sometimes the use of the oil. These are the things that move them.
- Crude vs refined. Some countries charge less on crude oil to protect their own refineries.
- Country of origin. Free trade agreements can cut or remove duty, but only with the right certificate of origin.
- End use. Some tariffs charge less for oil used in industry rather than food.
- Packaging. A few countries treat bulk and retail packs differently for duty or VAT.
- Seasonal or quota measures. Some markets apply quotas or temporary duty changes when local supply is short.
That’s why the sunflower oil HS code is only the starting point. Your broker uses it to look up the rate that applies to your exact shipment.
5 steps to classify your sunflower oil shipment
If you want a simple routine, follow these five steps for every new product.
- Confirm it’s pure sunflower oil. Check the COA and fatty acid profile. If it’s a blend, stop here and look at heading 1517 instead.
- Decide crude or refined. Look at how it was processed. Crude goes to 1512.11, refined to 1512.19.
- Check for chemical modification. Hydrogenated or interesterified oil moves to heading 1516.
- Add your national digits. Use your country’s tariff database to find the full sunflower oil HS code, including any split by end use.
- Check the duty and origin rules. Look up the rate for your origin country and whether a trade agreement applies, then make sure your certificate of origin matches.
Write the result down and use it on every shipment of that product. Consistency is half the battle with customs.
Getting a binding ruling
If there’s any doubt about the right sunflower oil HS code, for example with a new blend, an unusual grade or a product sold for industrial use, you can ask customs for an official ruling before you import.
In the European Union this is called Binding Tariff Information. In the United States, importers can request a ruling from Customs and Border Protection. Many other countries have similar advance ruling systems. A ruling takes time, sometimes weeks or months, but it gives you certainty for future shipments and protects you if customs later questions the code.
For standard refined or crude sunflower oil, a ruling is rarely needed. The code is well established. Rulings are most useful for blends, oils sold for technical uses, and new products.
Samples and small shipments
The sunflower oil HS code isn’t only for full containers. Samples sent by courier also need a code and a clear description, even if they’re free of charge. A courier parcel labelled “oil sample” with no code can get stuck in customs for days.
When we send samples, we mark them with the correct six-digit code, a description such as “refined sunflower oil sample, not for sale”, the quantity and a nominal value. If your country requires a food import permit even for samples, tell us before we ship so we can add the right paperwork.
Taxes beyond duty
Customs duty is only one cost linked to the sunflower oil HS code. Depending on your country, the code also decides:
- VAT or GST on import, often at a reduced rate for basic foods.
- Excise or special levies in a few markets.
- Anti-dumping or safeguard duties, if a country has applied them to oil from certain origins.
- Statistical fees charged as a small percentage of value.
Your broker will calculate all of these from the full code, which is another reason to get it exactly right.
Documents that go with the code
The sunflower oil HS code appears on several documents, and it should match on all of them. A typical set for a load of sunflower oil includes:
- Commercial invoice. Product description, HS code, quantity, unit price, total value and Incoterm.
- Packing list. Packaging type, number of units, net and gross weight.
- Bill of lading. Issued by the shipping line.
- Certificate of analysis. The lab results for that lot.
- Certificate of origin. Needed for preferential duty under a trade agreement.
- Health or sanitary certificate. Required by many importing countries for food oils.
- Halal certificate. Often required in Muslim markets.
- Non-GMO or organic certificates. If the product is sold with those claims.
Our full list of documents required to import vegetable oil goes into each one.
How to describe the goods
The product description on your invoice should match the sunflower oil HS code and leave customs nothing to guess. Good descriptions are short and specific:
- “Refined sunflower oil, edible grade, in flexitank, 21,000 kg net”
- “Crude sunflower oil, for refining, in ISO tank”
- “Refined winterized sunflower oil in 1 litre PET bottles, 12 bottles per carton”
Avoid vague terms like “vegetable oil” or “cooking oil” on their own. They can push customs to question the code, ask for samples or reclassify the goods into a different heading.
Common mistakes with the sunflower oil HS code
Using 1512.11 for refined oil. Crude and refined are separate codes and often separate duty rates. Using the crude code for refined oil can lead to penalties.
Using 1512 for blends. A mix of sunflower and palm oil, or sunflower and soybean, usually belongs under 1517, not 1512. Check before you ship a blend.
Mismatched codes across documents. The code on the invoice, the certificate of origin and the import declaration should be the same.
Describing the product as “vegetable oil”. It’s accurate but too vague, and it invites questions.
Forgetting the national digits. Six digits get you to the right family. Customs needs the full national code.
Relying on an old code. Tariff schedules are updated, usually every five years for the HS itself and more often for national lines.
Sunflower oil HS code for exporters
For exporters, the sunflower oil HS code matters on the way out too. Export declarations, export statistics and some export incentives all use it. If you’re re-exporting oil, for example buying crude, refining it and selling refined, your export code will be 1512.19 even if your import code was 1512.11.
Rules of origin don’t change the sunflower oil HS code, but they can get complicated when oil is refined in a different country from where the seeds were grown. Whether refining counts as enough processing to confer origin depends on the specific trade agreement. Your broker or the chamber of commerce that issues certificates of origin can tell you how the rules apply.
Practical example
Here’s how the sunflower oil HS code works on a real-style order.
A distributor orders one 20 ft container of refined sunflower oil in a flexitank, CIF to their port. Our invoice lists “Refined sunflower oil, edible grade, in flexitank” under HS 1512.19, with the net weight and price. The certificate of origin and COA show the same product description and code. The distributor’s broker adds the national digits for their country, checks whether a trade agreement applies, and files the entry. If the paperwork lines up, the oil clears without a query.
If the same distributor had ordered a sunflower and palm blend, the code and possibly the duty would be different. That’s why we ask about blends at the quote stage.
Inspection and testing at customs
Even with the right sunflower oil HS code, some countries test food oil at the border, especially on first shipments from a new supplier or exporter. Customs or food safety officers may take samples to check that the product matches the description and meets local standards.
Having a recent COA from an accredited lab helps. So does a pre-shipment inspection by an independent company. Our guide to pre-shipment inspection for edible oil explains how to set that up, and our refined sunflower oil specification post covers the numbers customs labs usually look at.
Payment and the HS code
Banks also look at the sunflower oil HS code when you pay by letter of credit, because documents must match the credit exactly. If the letter of credit says “refined sunflower oil, HS 1512.19” and the invoice says “vegetable oil”, the bank can refuse the documents. Keep wording consistent from the contract onwards. Our article on letter of credit vs TT payment explains how document checks work.
Related products and their codes
If you buy more than one oil, here’s the sunflower oil HS code next to the six-digit codes for the oils we sell most often.
| Oil | Crude | Refined |
|---|---|---|
| Sunflower oil | 1512.11 | 1512.19 |
| Palm oil | 1511.10 | 1511.90 |
| Soybean oil | 1507.10 | 1507.90 |
| Canola (low erucic rapeseed) oil | 1514.11 | 1514.19 |
| Coconut oil | 1513.11 | 1513.19 |
That table makes it easy to see the pattern. Most vegetable oils have a “crude” line ending in 1 and a “refined” or “other” line ending in 9. We sell all of these. See our palm oil, soybean oil, canola oil and coconut oil pages.
Using the code for market research
The sunflower oil HS code isn’t just for customs. Because every country reports trade by HS code, you can use it to research markets. Trade databases let you look up imports of 1512.19 into a given country, see which origins supply it, and track volumes month by month.
That’s a cheap way to size a market before you commit. If a country imports large volumes under 1512.19 but little under 1512.11, it has few local refineries and buys finished oil. If the reverse is true, local refiners dominate and crude oil is the opportunity. Many of our buyers use exactly this kind of data to decide where to sell next.
Checklist before you ship
Before the container leaves, run through this list.
- The sunflower oil HS code on the invoice matches the product: 1512.11 for crude, 1512.19 for refined.
- The same code and description appear on the packing list, certificate of origin and any health certificate.
- The national digits are confirmed for the destination country.
- The certificate of origin is the right form for any trade agreement you plan to use.
- The COA lot number matches the shipping documents.
- Labels on retail packs meet the destination country’s rules.
- If paying by letter of credit, every document matches the credit wording exactly.
Ten minutes on this list saves days at the port.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sunflower oil HS code? 1512.11 for crude sunflower oil and 1512.19 for refined sunflower oil, at the six-digit international level.
Is bottled sunflower oil classified differently from bulk? No. Refined sunflower oil in bottles is still 1512.19. Some countries treat retail packs differently for tax, but the HS code stays the same.
What HS code does high oleic sunflower oil use? The same as regular sunflower oil: 1512.11 if crude, 1512.19 if refined. It’s bred, not chemically modified.
What about a sunflower and palm oil blend? Edible mixtures of different oils usually fall under heading 1517. Confirm with your broker.
Where can I check the full national code and duty? Your country’s official tariff database or your customs broker. For the EU, TARIC. For the US, the USITC HTS.
Do you put the HS code on your documents? Yes. Every invoice, packing list and certificate of origin we issue carries the correct six-digit code, and we can add your national code if you give it to us.
Import sunflower oil with the right paperwork
We supply refined sunflower oil, crude sunflower oil, high oleic sunflower oil and deodorized sunflower oil to buyers worldwide, with full documents prepared to match the sunflower oil HS code for your market. We work under ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP and Halal.
See all our products, read about us, or send your grade, volume, packaging and destination port through our contact page. We’ll reply with full specifications, a price and the document set for your country.
