HS Code 3803
Tall Oil Refined or Unrefined
HS code 3803 covers tall oil, whether crude or refined, a byproduct of the Kraft process of wood pulp manufacture used in chemicals and fuel.
4-digit Section VITanker
HS Code 3803 — Tall Oil Refined or Unrefined
Tall oil is a viscous liquid byproduct of the wood pulp manufacture process. It is used extensively in the production of soaps, lubricants, adhesives, and biofuels.
What's included
- Crude tall oil
- Refined tall oil
- Distilled tall oil (DTO)
What's excluded
- Tall oil fatty acids → use
3823(When tall oil is further processed into specific fatty acids (above 90% purity), it moves to 3823.)
Common examples
- Crude tall oil for bio-refinery
- Refined tall oil for adhesive manufacturing
- Distilled tall oil for metalworking fluids
Frequently asked questions
Is this a vegetable oil?
No, while derived from pine trees, it is a chemical byproduct of pulping, not a food-grade vegetable oil.
Trade & shipping notes
- Typical duty range: 0% - 4%
- Documentation: Certificate of Origin is important as major production is concentrated in Nordic countries and the USA.
- Typical shipping mode: Tanker
- Top exporters: Finland, Sweden, United States, Russia
- Top importers: Netherlands, Germany, China, United States
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Key takeaway
A critical renewable raw material for the chemical industry and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
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