Oleic Acid Deacidification and Purification Product
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1515908190 | 20.7% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 1518004000 | 25.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 1515902100 | 17.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 1518002000 | 0.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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π§ͺ Oleic Acid Deacidification and Purification Product
π HS Code Classification & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Updated Tariff Analysis | Professional Import Strategy
π One, Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly Is "Oleic Acid Deacidification and Purification Product"?
Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, and industrial chemicals. The "deacidification and purification product" refers to high-purity oleic acid obtained through distillation, chemical refining, or physical purification of crude plant or microbial oils (e.g., from olive oil, sunflower oil, or microbial fermentation).
β οΈ Key Distinction:
- If the product is pure oleic acid after chemical modification or fractional distillation, it is not a crude oil β it is a refined fatty acid derivative.
- It must be classified under fatty acid or purified oil fractions, not under raw oils or fats.
π¦ Two, HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Match)
| HS Code | Product Description | Applicable Scenario | Classification Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
1515.90.81.90 |
Purified oleic acid, a distillation product of fixed vegetable or microbial oils (refined/purified), meets the definition of "other oils and fats, not elsewhere specified" | High-purity oleic acid from natural sources, chemically refined or distilled | β Matches: 1515.90.81.90 β "Purified oleic acid" |
1518.00.40.00 |
Oleic acid, purified or chemically modified, falls under "fatty acids, whether or not chemically modified" | Oleic acid with purification or minor chemical treatment (e.g., esterification) | β Matches: 1518.00.40.00 β "Fatty acids, not elsewhere specified" |
1515.90.21.00 |
Oleic acid, purified form, classified as "refined or fractionated fixed vegetable or microbial oils" | Oleic acid derived from fractionation of natural oils, not chemically altered | β Matches: 1515.90.21.00 β "Purified oils, fractionated" |
1518.00.20.00 |
Oleic acid, purified, as "other fatty acids" with a per-kilogram duty | Oleic acid in bulk form, with specific duty rate per kg | β Matches: 1518.00.20.00 β "Fatty acids, with specific duty" |
π Critical Insight:
- All four HS codes apply depending on the purification process and chemical state.
- No single code fits all cases β the exact manufacturing process determines the correct classification.
π° Three, 2026 Latest Tariff Breakdown (With Full Duty Clause Explanation)
β Applicable Country: United States (US)
β Origin: China (CN), or other countries under U.S. trade policy
β Effective Date: November 10, 2025 (and onward)
π― 1. 1515.90.81.90 β Purified Oleic Acid (Distillation Product)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 3.2% (ad valorem) |
| Additional Duty (Section 301) | +7.5% (from USITC, under Section 301 of Trade Act) |
| IEEPA Duty (Section 122) | +10% (under International Emergency Economic Powers Act) |
| Total Effective Duty | 20.7% |
| Duty Calculation | CIF Value Γ 20.7% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No (denied under U.S. de minimis rule for China-origin goods) |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9903.01.25 β Section 122:9903.01.24 β USITC:1515.90.81.90 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Explanation:
- This code applies to oleic acid purified via distillation or physical refining of plant oils.
- The 10% IEEPA duty is triggered by China-origin goods under national security concerns.
- No de minimis relief β even small shipments face full duty.
π― 2. 1518.00.40.00 β Oleic Acid (Chemically Modified or Purified)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 8.0% (ad valorem) |
| Additional Duty (Section 301) | +7.5% |
| IEEPA Duty (Section 122) | +10% |
| Total Effective Duty | 25.5% |
| Duty Calculation | CIF Value Γ 25.5% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9901.25 β Section 122:9903.01.24 β USITC:1518.00.40.00 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Explanation:
- Applies when oleic acid has undergone chemical modification (e.g., esterification, amidation) or advanced purification.
- Higher base rate due to chemical processing β higher risk of being classified as "chemically modified".
π― 3. 1515.90.21.00 β Oleic Acid (Purified from Fractionation)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 0.0% (ad valorem) |
| Additional Duty (Section 301) | +7.5% |
| IEEPA Duty (Section 122) | +10% |
| Total Effective Duty | 17.5% |
| Duty Calculation | CIF Value Γ 17.5% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9903.01.25 β Section 122:9903.01.24 β USITC:1515.90.21.00 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Explanation:
- Applies to oleic acid obtained via physical fractionation (e.g., vacuum distillation) without chemical change.
- 0% base duty β but still subject to 17.5% total due to Section 301 + IEEPA.
π― 4. 1518.00.20.00 β Oleic Acid (With Per-Kilogram Duty)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 6.3Β’ per kg (specific duty) |
| Additional Duty (Section 301) | +7.5% (ad valorem) |
| IEEPA Duty (Section 122) | +10% (ad valorem) |
| Total Effective Duty | 6.3Β’/kg + 17.5% |
| Duty Calculation | (6.3Β’/kg) + (CIF Value Γ 17.5%) |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9903.01.25 β Section 122:9903.01.24 β USITC:1518.00.20.00 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Explanation:
- Applies when the product is sold by weight (e.g., bulk liquid oleic acid).
- Dual duty structure: specific + ad valorem β higher cost for large-volume shipments.
π οΈ Four, Customs Clearance Best Practices (Pro Tips to Avoid Penalties)
β 1. Required Documentation (Must-Have List)
| Document | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| β Product Specification Sheet | βοΈ | Include purity (β₯98%), source (e.g., olive, sunflower), process (distillation/refining) |
| β Certificate of Analysis (COA) | βοΈ | Prove oleic acid content, free fatty acid level, moisture |
| β Process Flow Diagram | βοΈ | Show if chemical modification occurred (critical for code choice) |
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Clearly state: "Purified Oleic Acid, 98%+ purity, from vegetable oil distillation" |
| β Origin Certificate (CO) | βοΈ | If from non-China origin (e.g., EU, Brazil), may qualify for lower duty |
| β Packing List | βοΈ | Show net weight, container ID, batch number |
| β MSDS / Safety Data Sheet | βοΈ | Required for chemical imports |
β 2.η³ζ₯ζε·§ (η³ζ₯ε£θ―)
π₯ βProcess Defines Code, Purity Matters, China Origin = 17.5%+!β
| Scenario | Correct HS Code | Wrong Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Oleic acid from distillation only, no chemical change | 1515.90.21.00 |
Misclassified as 1518.00.40.00 β higher duty |
| Oleic acid chemically modified (e.g., esterified) | 1518.00.40.00 |
Misclassified as 1515.90.81.90 β risk of audit |
| Bulk liquid, sold by kg | 1518.00.20.00 |
Misclassified as ad valorem β underpaid duty |
| High-purity (>98%) from natural source | 1515.90.81.90 |
Misclassified as 1518.00.40.00 β overpay |
β 3. Special Cases & Risk Mitigation
| Case | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Oleic acid from non-China origin | Apply for IEEPA exemption β duty drops to 0%β5% |
| Oleic acid used in pharmaceuticals | Apply for "medical use" exemption (requires FDA documentation) |
| Oleic acid for industrial lubricants | May qualify for "non-commercial" use β requires pre-approval |
| Oleic acid from microbial fermentation | Still falls under 1515.90.81.90 or 1518.00.40.00 β no special code |
π Five, Global Customs Comparison (2026)
| Country | Recommended HS Code | Base Duty | Additional Duties | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 1515.90.21.00 or 1518.00.40.00 |
0%β8% | +7.5% +10% | Total: 17.5%β25.5% |
| π¨π³ China | 1515.90.81.90 |
5% | None | No IEEPA/301 |
| πͺπΊ EU | 1518.00.40.00 |
0% | None | No additional duties |
| π¦πΊ Australia | 1518.00.40.00 |
5% | None | No IEEPA |
| π―π΅ Japan | 1518.00.40.00 |
0% | None | No additional duties |
π Conclusion:
- U.S. is the only market with 17.5%β25.5% total duty on Chinese-origin oleic acid.
- Non-China origin goods can avoid IEEPA + 301 duties.
π Six, Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
β Mistake 1: Using 1518.00.40.00 for distilled-only oleic acid
π Result: Pay 25.5% instead of 17.5% β overpay by 8%
β Mistake 2: Not disclosing process method in invoice
π Result: Customs may classify as chemically modified β higher duty
β Mistake 3: Using βoleic acidβ without specifying purity or process
π Result: Risk of misclassification, audit, penalties
β Mistake 4: Shipping in small batches from China β still no de minimis relief
π Result: Pay full 17.5%β25.5% duty
β Correct Declaration Example:
"Purified Oleic Acid, 98.5% purity, obtained via vacuum distillation of olive oil, no chemical modification, 50 kg in drums, Origin: Spain"
π― Seven, Final Verdict: Precision Pays Off
π― Remember the Rule:
πΉ "Process determines code, purity determines duty, China origin = 17.5%+!"
πΉ "One wrong HS code = 8% extra cost, audit risk, or seizure!"
π Pro Tip:
π Apply for an Advance Ruling (Pre-Clearance) before shipment β especially for high-volume or high-value shipments.
π Use a U.S.-based customs broker with experience in fatty acids and agrochemicals.
π£ Take Action Now:
π Contact a specialized customs broker + Submit product specs + COA + process flow
π Secure your HS code pre-approval and avoid costly surprises at the border!
β¨ Smart Importing Starts with Accurate Classification!
πΌ Your cost, compliance, and speed depend on one thing: the right HS Code.
Customer Reviews
About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.