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Animal and vegetable fats and oils

Import export policy: Animal and vegetable fats and oils (HS 15)

Is import or export free, restricted or prohibited for animal and vegetable fats and oils? HS chapters 15 to 15: what each covers, DGFT policy lines, which licences apply and FY.

Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026

Section III of the Harmonised System covers animal and vegetable fats and oils. For each chapter below you see what it covers, whether export or import is free, restricted or prohibited in the DGFT documents we read, which India-side licences usually apply, and the official trade values for FY 2025-26.

HS chapter	Exports, US$ million	Imports, US$ million	Export policy	Import policy
15: Fats and oils	2,228	19,777	Has restricted, prohibited or STE lines	1 restricted code(s), 24 prohibited code(s)

Trade values are in US$ million for the financial year 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026), as published by TradeStat, Department of Commerce (data from DGCI&S) and fetched on 2026-10-02. They can be revised later. Shares and changes are calculated from those figures. Year-on-year change compares 2025-26 with 2024-25.

How to read the policy columns

"Free in general" means we found no restricted, prohibited or STE line for this chapter. Policy changes by DGFT notification. The import notes come from DGFT's lists of restricted (407 codes) and prohibited (88 codes) imports, both as on 12 June 2019. The export notes come from DGFT's chapter-wise export schedule, 2021 edition. Check your 8-digit code on DGFT's policy search for the current position.

Chapter by chapter

Chapter 15: Fats and oils

Animal and vegetable fats and oils such as palm oil, soyabean oil, sunflower oil and ghee substitutes.

Exports from India

FY 2025-26: US$ 2,228 million, +9.2% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): China (769), Netherlands (165), USA (160), Malaysia (101).

Tallow, fat and oils of any animal origin (excluding fish oil, buffalo tallow and lanolin) are Prohibited.

Usually needed: CEPCI, IOPEPC, Coconut Board, DGFT policy lines

Imports into India

FY 2025-26: US$ 19,777 million, +12.4% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): Indonesia (3,947), Argentina (3,666), Malaysia (3,194), Russia (1,676).

Prohibited (24 codes): lard, pig fat, mutton tallow, unrendered and rendered animal fats, lard stearin, degras, soap stocks and imitation lard of animal origin.
Restricted: crude fish body oil.

Usually needed: FSSAI, Legal Metrology (if packed), DGFT policy lines

Common questions

Is export of animal and vegetable fats and oils free?

Generally yes, except the prohibited, restricted and STE lines shown for each chapter. Tallow, fat and oils of any animal origin (excluding fish oil, buffalo tallow and lanolin) are Prohibited.

Is import of animal and vegetable fats and oils free?

Generally yes, except the codes on DGFT's restricted and prohibited lists. For these chapters the 2019 lists show 1 restricted and 24 prohibited codes.

Where do I check the current policy?

On DGFT's ITC (HS) policy search for your 8-digit code. Policy changes by notification.

Is Govt License a government website?

No. Govt License is an independent guide. We link to the official government portals where you apply and pay. Always confirm the fee on the portal before paying.