HS 3823.19Edible oils

HS Code for Palm Fatty Acid Distillate / PFAD (HS 3823.19)

PFAD is the by-product from palm oil refining (deodorisation). Used in soap, animal feed, oleochemicals - and heavily consumed as biodiesel feedstock under EU/UK RTFO where it enjoyed 'waste/residue' double-counting until reclassified. Prices ~USD 100-300/MT below CPO.

Reviewed against WCO HS · WTO IDB · National customs schedules6 authoritative sourcesLast reviewed July 2026

Sample 6-digit codes

Code	Description
3823.11	Stearic acid
3823.19	Other industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids (includes PFAD)
3823.70	Industrial fatty alcohols

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Typical import duty by market

Market	Duty
European Union	2.5% EUDR from Dec 2025 - PFAD is a palm derivative in Annex I.
India (BCD)	12.5%
China	5%

Worked landed-cost example

6,000 MT PFAD, FOB Dumai USD 720/MT, CIF Rotterdam

FOBUSD 4,320,000

Freight + insuranceUSD 180,000

CIFUSD 4,500,000

EU duty 2.5%USD 112,500

Landed ≈ USD 4.61m. Biodiesel value declines if not double-counted.

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

Regulatory checkpoints

· EUDR Annex I - all palm-oil products.
· EU RED III Annex IX Part B - PFAD is now 'crop-based' (not 'waste/residue'), removing double counting from 2023 in many member states.
· FOSFA / PORAM contract.
· IMDG Class 3 UN 1993 for shipping (flash point).

Top exporting countries

· Indonesia
· Malaysia

Frequently asked questions

Is PFAD still 'waste/residue' for biofuels?

In the EU RED III, PFAD is treated as co-product (not residue) - it no longer double-counts toward biofuel obligations in most member states from 2023. UK RTFO decided similarly. This cut PFAD demand for biodiesel and moved it back to oleochemical uses (soap, feed).