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.
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 |
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. |
Numerical Example: 1 VLCC of Basrah Medium (HS 2709.00.30), 2,000,000 bbl, CIF Mangalore USD 150 M
1 VLCC of Basrah Medium (HS 2709.00.30), 2,000,000 bbl, CIF Mangalore USD 150 M. Run your own numbers in the Import Duty & Tax calculator.
- · 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.
- · Saudi Arabia
- · Russia
- · United States
- · Canada
- · Iraq
- · UAE
- · Kuwait
- · Brazil
- · Nigeria
Frequently asked questions
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.
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).
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.
Import duty and tax by destination market
Typical MFN duty, consumption tax and the tax base applied to energy (HS 2709) in each market we cover. Rates are indicative at the 6-digit line | confirm the national 8/10-digit code with your broker.
| Market | Duty | Consumption tax | Tax base | Tax as % of CIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 5% | IGST 18% | Assessable value + duty | 24.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | 0% | VAT 5% | CIF + duty | 5.0% |
| Saudi Arabia | 0% | VAT 15% | CIF + duty | 15.0% |
| Singapore | 0% | GST 9% | CIF + duty | 9.0% |
| China | 0% | VAT 13% | CIF + duty | 13.0% |
| United States | 0% | Federal VAT 0% | CIF | 0.3% |
| United Kingdom | 0% | VAT 20% | CIF + duty | 20.0% |
| Germany | 0% | USt 19% | CIF + duty | 19.0% |
| Netherlands | 0% | BTW 21% | CIF + duty | 21.0% |
| Vietnam | 0% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| Türkiye | 0% | KDV 20% | CIF + duty | 20.0% |
| Japan | 0% | JCT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| South Korea | 0% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| Brazil | 0% | IPI+PIS/COFINS+ICMS 32% | CIF + duty | 32.0% |
| Indonesia | 0% | PPN 11% | CIF + duty | 13.5% |
| Mexico | 0% | IVA 16% | CIF + duty | 16.9% |
| Egypt | 0% | VAT 14% | CIF + duty | 14.0% |
| Nigeria | 0% | VAT 7.5% | CIF + duty | 9.1% |
| South Africa | 0% | VAT 15% | Assessable value + duty | 16.5% |
| Australia | 0% | GST 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
Run your own numbers with the landed cost calculator or check documentation requirements in the LC document checklist.
In-depth corridor guides
Full documentation, duty and worked landed-cost breakdowns for the corridors we handle client paperwork on.