Animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes (chapter 15): which countries import it
Chapter 15 covers animal, vegetable and microbial fats and oils—from olive oil to palm oil to rendered animal fats—and products made from them. Spain…
Published on 15 September 2026Updated on 13 November 2026
Chapter 15 covers animal, vegetable and microbial fats and oils—from olive oil to palm oil to rendered animal fats—and products made from them. Spain exported USD 5.76 billion to the world in 2025. India is the largest importer globally, followed by the United States and China. Most products face tariffs; certification depends on the destination and the specific fat or oil.
Fact sheet
- Code
- 15
- Sector
- Food and Drink
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| India | 18,846,748,173 |
| United States | 16,034,819,918 |
| China | 12,615,228,347 |
| Netherlands | 9,780,653,885 |
| Italy | 7,574,747,928 |
| Germany | 6,151,029,895 |
| Spain | 5,761,451,976 |
| Pakistan | 4,365,511,178 |
| France | 3,748,399,339 |
| Belgium | 3,516,410,172 |
| Malaysia | 3,293,416,658 |
| Türkiye | 3,105,627,044 |
| United Kingdom | 2,941,611,148 |
| South Korea | 2,622,152,676 |
| Singapore | 2,609,092,987 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 13 November 2026
Headings in this chapter
- Pig fat (including lard) and poultry fat, other than that of heading 0209 or 1503Heading 1501
- Fats of bovine animals, sheep or goats, other than those of heading 1503Heading 1502
- Lard stearin, lard oil, oleostearin, oleo-oil and tallow oil; not emulsified or mixed or otherwise preparedHeading 1503
- Fats and oils and their fractions of fish or marine mammals; whether or not refined, but not chemically modifiedHeading 1504
- Wool grease and fatty substances derived therefrom (including lanolin)Heading 1505
- Animal fats and oils and their fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified, n.e.c. in chapter 15Heading 1506
- Soya-bean oil and its fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modifiedHeading 1507
- Ground nut oil and its fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modifiedHeading 1508
- Olive oil and its fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modifiedHeading 1509
- Vegetable oils; oils and their fractions n.e.c. in chapter 15, obtained solely from olives, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified, including blends of these oils or fractions with oils or fractions of heading no. 1509Heading 1510
- Palm oil and its fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modifiedHeading 1511
- Sun-flower seed, safflower or cotton-seed oil and their fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modifiedHeading 1512
- Coconut (copra), palm kernel or babassu oil and their fractions; whether or not refined but not chemically modifiedHeading 1513
- Rape, colza or mustard oil and their fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modifiedHeading 1514
- Fixed vegetable or microbial fats and oils n.e.c. in chapter 15 (including jojoba oil) and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modifiedHeading 1515
- 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 preparedHeading 1516
- Margarine; edible mixtures or preparations of animal, vegetable or microbial fats or oils or of fractions of different fats or oils of this Chapter, other than edible fats and oils or their fractions of heading 15.16Heading 1517
- Animal, vegetable or microbial fats, oils and their fractions; boiled, oxidised, dehydrated or otherwise chemically modified, excluding those of heading no. 1516, inedible mixtures or preparations of fats, oils or their fractions, n.e.c. in chapter 15Heading 1518
- Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acid, alcohol, acid oilsHeading 1519
- Glycerol, crude; glycerol waters and glycerol lyesHeading 1520
- Vegetable waxes (other than triglycerides), beeswax, other insect waxes and spermaceti; whether or not refined or colouredHeading 1521
- Degras; residues resulting from the treatment of fatty substances or animal or vegetable waxesHeading 1522
Trade fairs in this sector
- Alimentaria Barcelona
- Alimentec | Anuga Select Colombia
- Expo ANTAD & Alimentaria México
- Anuga
- BIOFACH – World’s Leading Trade Fair for Organic Food
- Foodex Japan
- Fruit Attraction
- Gulfood
- ProWein Düsseldorf
- Salón Gourmets
- Seafood Expo Global / Seafood Processing Global
- SIAL Paris (Salon International de l'Alimentation)
- Sirha Lyon – Salon Food Service & Hospitalité
- Summer Fancy Food Show
- Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris
What you need to know to export fats and oils
Chapter 15 includes 23 product headings, from pig fat and beef tallow to refined olive oil, margarine, and glycerol. The tariffs and rules depend on the exact heading, the destination market, and whether the oil has been chemically modified. A refined palm oil faces different duties than raw olive oil.
Spain exported USD 5.76 billion in Chapter 15 products in 2025, making it a top exporter globally. Your main competitors and customers are in the EU, but also in India, the United States, and China—markets with very different import rules and price points.
Tariffs on fats and oils can be steep. The US applies tariffs of 10% to 20% on many oils; India's tariffs range from 30% to 100% depending on the product. China applies tariffs between 5% and 50%. Always check the exact heading and the destination's tariff code in Access2Markets or your buyer's customs broker.
Lead time from order to shipment is typically 4 to 8 weeks for bulk oils and 2 to 4 weeks for packaged products, depending on your production capacity and the buyer's location. Incoterms matter: most bulk sales are CIF or FOB; packaged goods often go CPT or CIP.
Questions about exporting fats and oils from Spain
How do I know which heading in Chapter 15 applies to my product?
The heading depends on whether the fat or oil is animal or vegetable, whether it has been chemically modified (hydrogenated, esterified, etc.), and what it is used for. Heading 1509 is refined or unrefined olive oil. Heading 1507 is soybean oil. Heading 1517 is margarine and edible fat mixtures. Your customs broker or the TARIC database can help you classify your exact product; if in doubt, ask your buyer's importer to confirm the heading they are using.
What is the minimum order quantity for exporting Chapter 15 products?
It depends on your product, your buyer's market, and your production capacity. Bulk oils are often sold in containers of 1,000 liters or more. Packaged consumer goods may start at 20 or 40 pallets. Some distributors in the EU or Asia will accept smaller orders. Talk to potential buyers early to understand their minimums; if you are new to export, start with buyers who can absorb smaller volumes while you build capacity.
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