What is HS-4 1516 used for?
Use this as a comparison hint, then confirm the final decision with legal notes and country-specific rules.
HS-4 · Heading
1516 — Animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils and their fractions, partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared
Chapter 15: Animal or vegetable fats and oils
Plain-language overview
Use HS-4 1516 when importing or exporting animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils that have been partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified, or elaidinised. For example, if you're shipping refined palm oil that has undergone hydrogenation, this heading applies.
When deciding among the HS-6 lines, consider the source of the fat or oil. HS-6 151610 covers animal fats, while HS-6 151620 is for vegetable fats. If your product is derived from microbial sources, then HS-6 151630 is the correct choice. Each line specifies the origin and treatment of the fats.
It's crucial to note that all entries under this heading are not further prepared beyond the specified processes. If your product has undergone additional processing, such as blending with other ingredients or flavoring, it may fall under a different classification.
Keywords & topics
Useful terms traders and brokers use for this HS-4 heading.
animal fats · vegetable oils · microbial oils · hydrogenated fats · inter-esterified oils · re-esterified fats · elaidinised oils · refined fats · food processing oils · edible fats classification
Examples
Drawn from the official tariff wording for this HS-4 heading. Always confirm against your published schedule and legal notes.
- Refined animal fats like lard or tallow that are hydrogenated.
- Hydrogenated vegetable oils such as soybean or canola oil.
- Microbial oils derived from fermentation processes.
- Re-esterified palm oil used in food processing.
- Elaidinised fats for use in margarine production.
- Fractionated oils for cosmetic applications.
Common questions
Frequent classification questions with short practical guidance.
How to classify hydrogenated vegetable oils?
Write down material, use, and product form first, then compare nearby lines before you lock the code.
Are microbial oils covered under HS-4 1516?
Use this as a comparison hint, then confirm the final decision with legal notes and country-specific rules.
What are the subheadings under HS-4 1516?
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How to determine if my oil is refined?
Use this as a comparison hint, then confirm the final decision with legal notes and country-specific rules.
What are the differences between animal and vegetable fats in HS-4 1516?
Use this as a comparison hint, then confirm the final decision with legal notes and country-specific rules.
Related topics
Common real-world topics that come up during code comparison.
classification of animal fats and oils for import
Check the exact product specs and destination-country tariff notes before finalizing the code.
requirements for importing vegetable oils under HS-4 1516
Check the exact product specs and destination-country tariff notes before finalizing the code.
understanding microbial fats and their uses
Use this topic to narrow your shortlist, then validate the final code against legal wording.
how to identify hydrogenated oils for customs
Check the exact product specs and destination-country tariff notes before finalizing the code.
differences between re-esterified and inter-esterified oils
Compare adjacent HS lines and pick the one that matches material, function, and product form most closely.
impact of refining on fat classification
Use this topic to narrow your shortlist, then validate the final code against legal wording.
guidelines for shipping edible fats internationally
Use this topic to narrow your shortlist, then validate the final code against legal wording.
Questions & answers
For orientation only—the binding text is your national tariff and the WCO nomenclature your country uses.
- What types of products fall under HS-4 1516?
- HS-4 1516 includes animal, vegetable, and microbial fats and oils that are partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified, or elaidinised.
- How do I choose the correct HS-6 subheading?
- Select **HS-6 151610** for animal fats, **HS-6 151620** for vegetable oils, and **HS-6 151630** for microbial oils based on the source of the fat or oil.
- Are refined oils included in this heading?
- Yes, refined oils are included as long as they have not undergone further preparation beyond the specified processes.
- What does 'inter-esterified' mean in this context?
- Inter-esterified oils are fats that have undergone a chemical process to rearrange the fatty acids, improving their functional properties.
- Can I use HS-4 1516 for oils used in cosmetics?
- Yes, if the oils meet the criteria of being partly or wholly hydrogenated or otherwise treated as specified in this heading.
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HS-6 subheadings (3)
- 151610Animal fats and oils and their fractions; partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared
- 151620Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions; partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared
- 151630Microbial fats and oils and their fractions; partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared