HS 2709Energy

HS Code for Crude Oil (HS 2709)

Crude petroleum sits under a single 4-digit heading, HS 2709, split at national level by API gravity and sulphur. Duty is nominal in most consuming markets - the real cost drivers are Platts/Argus differentials, freight (VLCC/Suezmax/Aframax), and demurrage on laytime overrun.

Reviewed against WCO HS · WTO IDB · National customs schedules3 authoritative sourcesLast reviewed July 2026

Sample 6-digit codes

Code	Description
2709.00.10	Crude petroleum, condensate (light, API > 45)
2709.00.20	Crude petroleum, light sweet (Brent, WTI, Bonny Light)
2709.00.30	Crude petroleum, medium sour (Dubai, Oman, Urals)
2709.00.40	Crude petroleum, heavy sour (Maya, Merey, Cold Lake)
2709.00.90	Bituminous minerals oils, other

Need to check a specific code? Use the free HS code lookup tool.

Typical import duty by market

Market	Duty
United States (MFN)	5.25¢/bbl light / 10.5¢/bbl heavy Specific duty; USMCA and select FTAs zero.
European Union	0% Zero MFN; excise applied on refined product, not on crude.
India (BCD)	0% 1% NCCD cess on domestic crude; imported crude generally BCD-free.
China	0% Consumption tax and VAT (13%) applied at refinery.
Japan	JPY 215/kl Petroleum & coal tax, plus climate change tax.

Worked landed-cost example

1 VLCC of Basrah Medium (HS 2709.00.30), 2,000,000 bbl, CIF Mangalore USD 150 M

Assessable valueUSD 150,000,000

BCD 0% + NCCD nil on imported crudeUSD 0

IGST 5% on assessable valueUSD 7,500,000

OID cess (INR 4,900/MT × ~272,000 MT)≈ USD 16,000,000

Landed cost ≈ USD 173.5 M - roughly USD 86.75/bbl before refinery losses.

Run your own numbers in the import duty & tax calculator.

Regulatory checkpoints

· IMO MARPOL Annex I - single-hull tanker ban since 2010.
· Origin sanctions screening: Russia G7 price cap, Iran, Venezuela, Syria - full attestation trail required.
· SIRE 2.0 tanker vetting before loading.
· Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer notifications under MARPOL Reg 42.

Top exporting countries

· Saudi Arabia
· Russia
· United States
· Canada
· Iraq
· UAE
· Kuwait
· Brazil
· Nigeria

Frequently asked questions

Why is there no ad-valorem duty on crude in most markets?

Governments capture crude revenue via excise and consumption taxes on refined products, plus royalties at the wellhead. Ad-valorem duty on the raw feedstock would only raise refining costs and end-user prices.

How does the G7 Russian oil price cap affect classification?

The HS code doesn't change. But EU/UK/US persons providing shipping, insurance or financing must obtain a per-cargo attestation that the Russia-origin crude was sold at or below the cap (currently USD 60/bbl for crude).

What is the difference between DES, DAP and CIF for crude?

DES is a legacy Incoterm - use DAP under Incoterms 2020 for pipeline/terminal delivery. CIF passes risk at load port rail once loaded; DAP passes risk on arrival. For crude, CFR and CIF are the market norms.