Vegetable waxes — HTS 1521
Vegetable waxes (other than triglycerides), beeswax, other insect waxes and spermaceti, whether or not refined or colored
Chapter 15 › Heading 1521
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 1521 is a four-digit product category for certain natural waxes. It groups vegetable waxes other than triglycerides, beeswax, other insect waxes, and spermaceti. The products may be refined or unrefined and may be colored. This heading is about the wax material itself, rather than ordinary fats or oils that are chemically triglycerides.
To reach the correct eight-digit HTSUS code, first identify the wax’s material or type, such as a particular vegetable wax, beeswax, another insect wax, or spermaceti. Then read the subheadings and statistical provisions under heading 1521, using the product’s composition, condition, and any stated distinction. The eight-digit code is the more specific classification used for entry and reporting; it should be verified against the current HTSUS and, when unclear, with a customs broker or classification ruling process.
What to check
- Confirm the product is a wax covered by heading 1521, not a triglyceride-based fat or oil, a formulated preparation, or an article made from wax.
- Identify the principal wax material and obtain supplier documentation, such as the ingredient statement, specification sheet, or certificate of analysis.
- Check whether the wax is refined, unrefined, colored, blended, or chemically modified, and compare those facts with the wording of the applicable subheadings.
- Read all notes, exclusions, and statistical descriptions under heading 1521 before selecting the eight-digit code.
- Document your classification reasoning and seek customs-broker or ruling advice if the material is a blend, derivative, or not clearly described by one subheading.
HTS heading 1521 summary
Vegetable waxes is a 4-digit product category containing 1 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 1521.90 | Other |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1521.10.00 👉 | Vegetable waxes | Free | — | Free |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 1521?
Vegetable waxes (other than triglycerides), beeswax, other insect waxes and spermaceti, whether or not refined or colored. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.