Fats and oils and their fractions of fish or marine mammals; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified (heading 1504): importing markets
Heading 1504 covers fats and oils of fish or marine mammals and their fractions, refined or not, but not chemically modified. In 2025, Norway and China…
Published on 6 November 2026Updated on 6 November 2026
Heading 1504 covers fats and oils of fish or marine mammals and their fractions, refined or not, but not chemically modified. In 2025, Norway and China each declared more than USD 600 million in imports, according to UN Comtrade. For a company exporting from Spain, the right subheading and the destination's rules decide the duty and the paperwork.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 6 November 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 1504
- Chapter
- 15 · Animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes
- Subheadings
- 3
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Norway | 624,914,414 |
| China | 604,981,422 |
| United States | 261,927,199 |
| Denmark | 254,385,763 |
| Chile | 194,106,854 |
| United Kingdom | 175,661,522 |
| Canada | 152,366,061 |
| Türkiye | 139,075,229 |
| Spain | 101,143,687 |
| Netherlands | 78,752,215 |
| Australia | 74,584,400 |
| France | 73,547,181 |
| Greece | 68,740,414 |
| Germany | 43,736,758 |
| Japan | 42,055,702 |
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 6 November 2026
What to know before exporting heading 1504
Heading 1504 belongs to Chapter 15 of the Harmonized System. It groups fats and oils of fish or marine mammals and their fractions, whether refined or not, provided they are not chemically modified. The heading has three subheadings, so the first step is to classify the product at that level.
Classification matters because duty, statistics and documents are tied to the subheading, not to the heading. The national tariff of the destination usually adds further digits beyond the six common to the HS. Check the full code of your product in the destination's tariff before quoting.
The import table shows a concentrated demand. Norway and China lead, followed by the United States, Denmark and Chile. Each figure is what the country declares importing from the world, so it measures the size of the market and not the share open to a Spanish supplier.
For a company exporting from Spain, the duty depends on the destination and on whether a trade agreement applies. It is consulted in Access2Markets by entering the product code and the destination country. For EU destinations such as Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Greece or Germany, shipments within the single market do not pay customs duty, though they follow the intra-EU statistical and tax declarations.
Oils of marine origin are food or feed ingredients in many uses, so sanitary and traceability requirements often apply. Which ones depend on the destination and on the end use of the product. Confirm them with the destination's import authority and with your buyer before shipping.
Countries report with a delay, so the latest consolidated year is 2025. Before sizing a market, compare it with the previous years in UN Comtrade or ITC Trade Map to see whether the figure reflects a trend or a single year.
Frequently asked questions
What does HS heading 1504 cover?
Heading 1504 covers fats and oils of fish or marine mammals and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. It sits in Chapter 15 and is divided into three subheadings.
Which countries import the most under heading 1504?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, Norway declared the highest imports at about USD 625 million, followed by China at about USD 605 million and the United States at about USD 262 million. Denmark and Chile come next.
Where can I check the duty for exporting 1504 from Spain?
In Access2Markets, the European Commission tool. Enter the product code and the destination country to see the duty, any preferential rate under an agreement and the rules of origin. The result depends on the subheading and on the agreement in force.
Do I pay customs duty when selling 1504 products to other EU countries?
No customs duty applies to goods moving between EU member states. Intra-EU sales still require the usual tax and statistical declarations, which depend on the type of operation and the buyer.
Does a high import figure mean a market is open to my product?
No. The figure is what the country declares importing from the world. Access for a Spanish exporter depends on duty, sanitary requirements, competition from established suppliers and the buyer's specifications.
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