1515.11.00.00 - Crude oil

This HTS category, 1515.11.00.00, specifically covers crude linseed oil. Linseed oil is derived from the seeds of the flax plant and is characterized by its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly linolenic acid. In its crude form, it has not undergone significant refining or chemical modification, and may contain impurities such as mucilage, proteins, and pigments. Its primary use is as a drying oil in paints, varnishes, and linoleum, as well as in the production of biofuels and other industrial applications.

The distinction between 1515.11.00.00 and its sibling category, 1515.19.00.00, lies in the processing state of the linseed oil. While 1515.11.00.00 is reserved for crude linseed oil, 1515.19.00.00 encompasses "Other" linseed oil and its fractions, which would include refined, bleached, deodorized, or otherwise chemically modified forms, as well as fractions obtained through physical separation processes. Therefore, the degree of processing and the presence of impurities are key differentiators.

As a leaf node within the HTS structure, category 1515.11.00.00 does not have further subcategories. Classification within this code relies on the determination that the product is indeed linseed oil and that it remains in its crude state, meaning it has not been subjected to processes that alter its fundamental chemical composition or remove inherent impurities beyond basic separation from the flax seed.