Animal fats and oils and their fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified, n.e.c. in chapter 15 (heading 1506): importing markets
HS heading 1506 covers other animal fats and oils and their fractions, refined or not, but not chemically modified. In 2025, France declared USD 283.4…
Published on 7 November 2026Updated on 7 November 2026
HS heading 1506 covers other animal fats and oils and their fractions, refined or not, but not chemically modified. In 2025, France declared USD 283.4 million in imports and the Netherlands USD 124.8 million, well ahead of the other markets listed. For a company exporting from Spain, both are EU destinations, so the paperwork differs from that for non-EU markets.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 7 November 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 1506
- Chapter
- 15 · Animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes
- Subheadings
- 1
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| France | 283,443,146 |
| Netherlands | 124,827,904 |
| China | 34,666,228 |
| Germany | 21,722,848 |
| Italy | 18,744,542 |
| Spain | 18,537,510 |
| United States | 15,827,211 |
| New Zealand | 15,217,547 |
| Belgium | 12,819,740 |
| Canada | 12,416,886 |
| Czechia | 8,789,517 |
| Japan | 8,746,068 |
| Australia | 5,751,209 |
| Slovakia | 5,318,622 |
| Romania | 4,390,499 |
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 7 November 2026
What to know before exporting HS 1506 from Spain
Heading 1506 is a residual heading. It groups animal fats and oils not covered by the neighbouring headings of chapter 15, such as pig fat (1501), fats of bovine animals, sheep or goats (1502), fish fats and oils (1504) and wool grease (1505). Before looking at markets, check that your product does not fit one of those more specific headings. Classification is decided by the product and its processing, not by the commercial name.
The heading excludes chemically modified fats. A product that has been hydrogenated, esterified or otherwise modified is classified elsewhere in chapter 15. The technical sheet of your product should state its processing clearly, because customs in the destination may ask for it.
In 2025, France and the Netherlands led the imports declared among the markets listed, with USD 283.4 million and USD 124.8 million. Together they come to about 69 % of the total of the 15 countries in the table. These figures are what each country declares importing from the world, so they include trade between EU members. They do not show how much comes from Spain.
For a company exporting from Spain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Czechia, Slovakia and Romania are intra-EU destinations. No customs duties apply to these sales, and the shipment is reported through the intra-EU trade statistics (Intrastat) and the VAT rules of the sale, which the AEAT explains.
China, the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Australia are non-EU markets. The duty there depends on the national tariff line, which usually goes beyond the 6 digits of the HS, and on the trade agreement in force between the EU and that country. It is checked by market in Access2Markets, using the code and the destination.
Sanitary and animal by-product requirements also depend on the final use. A fat for human food, for animal feed or for technical use is not subject to the same rules. Confirm the use with your importer and check the requirements in Access2Markets and with the competent authority before shipping.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 7 November 2026
Frequently asked questions
Which countries import the most under HS 1506?
Among the markets listed for 2025, France is first with USD 283.4 million in declared imports, followed by the Netherlands with USD 124.8 million and China with USD 34.7 million. The figures are imports from the world declared by each country to UN Comtrade, so they include intra-EU trade.
Do I pay customs duties when exporting HS 1506 from Spain to France?
No. For a company exporting from Spain, France is an EU member and no customs duties apply to the sale. The shipment is still subject to the VAT rules for intra-EU supplies and to the intra-EU trade statistics declaration.
How do I find the duty for HS 1506 in a non-EU market?
Use Access2Markets, the European Commission tool. Enter the product code and the destination country, and it shows the duty, the applicable agreement and the requirements. The duty depends on the national tariff line and on the agreement in force, so it can differ between countries.
Is HS 1506 the same as lard or fish oil?
No. Lard and other pig fat fall under heading 1501, and fish fats and oils under 1504. Heading 1506 covers the animal fats and oils not included in the more specific headings, provided they are not chemically modified.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 7 November 2026
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