2915.70.01 - Palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters

This HTS category, 2915.70.01, specifically encompasses palmitic acid, stearic acid, and their respective salts and esters. Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid commonly found in palm oil, while stearic acid is another saturated fatty acid prevalent in animal and vegetable fats. These substances are widely utilized in various industrial applications, including the manufacturing of soaps, detergents, cosmetics, lubricants, and candles. Their classification here hinges on their chemical structure as saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids or their derivatives.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings, this node focuses exclusively on fatty acids with specific chain lengths (C16 for palmitic and C18 for stearic acid) and their immediate derivatives. Siblings at the same level cover other saturated monocarboxylic acids such as formic, acetic, propionic, and chloroacetic acids, which differ in their carbon chain length or the presence of halogen substituents. The scope is thus narrowed to these particular long-chain saturated fatty acids and their related salts and esters.

The subcategories under 2915.70.01 provide a further breakdown for more precise classification. 2915.70.01.10 is designated for palmitic acid itself, while 2915.70.01.20 is for stearic acid. The remaining entries fall under 2915.70.01.50, covering various salts and esters derived from either palmitic or stearic acid that are not specifically listed. This granular structure allows for accurate accounting and tariff application based on the specific compound or derivative being imported or exported.