Petroleum ether Hs Code

Petroleum ether harmonized system code

Product Overview Petroleum ether, classified under HS Code 271012, is a highly refined hydrocarbon solvent derived from the distillation of crude petroleum. It comprises a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons, primarily pentane and hexane isomers, with a boiling range typically between 30°C and 60°C. This low-boiling solvent exhibits low viscosity, high volatility, and excellent solvency characteristics, making it suitable for various industrial and laboratory applications. Within HS Code 271012, petroleum ether is further categorized based on boiling point ranges and purity levels to accommodate specific processing requirements. It is widely utilized in pharmaceutical extraction, chemical synthesis, and as a cleaning agent in food service and retail sectors, particularly where stringent solvent residue limits are mandated. Its competitive advantage lies in its consistent quality, controlled evaporation rates, and compliance with international solvent standards, positioning it as a preferred choice for importers and exporters seeking reliable solvent sources in global markets. HS Code Classification & Trade Specifications The HS Code 271012 falls under Chapter 27 (Mineral Fuels, Mineral Oils and Products of their Distillation), with Heading 2710 covering petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, excluding crude. Subheading 271012 specifically designates petroleum ether and related light hydrocarbon solvents distinguished by their distillation characteristics. This classification is justified by the product’s origin, refining process, and distinct physical properties, including specific gravity (typically 0.6–0.65 g/cm³) and flash point below 0°C. For international trade, petroleum ether is customarily packaged in steel drums or UN-certified containers with vapor-tight seals to prevent evaporation losses and contamination. Preservation involves storage in cool, well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources, adhering to IMO and ADR regulations for flammable liquids. Quality assurance aligns with ISO and ASTM standards, ensuring solvent purity and minimizing impurities such as sulfur compounds. This facilitates compliance with WTO trade agreements and customs documentation protocols, streamlining cross-border transactions and regulatory inspections for importers, customs brokers, and trade compliance officers.

Petroleum ether Chapter Note

1.- This Chapter does not cover : (a) Separate chemically defined organic compounds, other than pure methane and propane which are to be classified in heading 27.11; (b) Medicaments of heading 30.03 or 30.04; or (c) Mixed unsaturated hydrocarbons of heading 33.01, 33.02 or 38.05. 2.- References in heading 27.10 to “petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals” include not only petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals but also similar oils, as well as those consisting mainly of mixed unsaturated hydrocarbons, obtained by any process, provided that the weight of the non-aromatic constituents exceeds that of the aromatic constituents. However, the references do not include liquid synthetic polyolefins of which less than 60 % by volume distils at 300 C, after conversion to 1,013 millibars when a reduced-pressure distillation method is used (Chapter 39). 3.- For the purposes of heading 27.10, “waste oils” means waste containing mainly petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (as described in Note 2 to this Chapter), whether or not mixed with water. These include : (a) Such oils no longer fit for use as primary products (for example, used lubricating oils, used hydraulic oils and used transformer oils); (b) Sludge oils from the storage tanks of petroleum oils, mainly containing such oils and a high concentration of additives (for example, chemicals) used in the manufacture of the primary products; and (c) Such oils in the form of emulsions in water or mixtures with water, such as those resulting from oil spills, storage tank washings, or from the use of cutting oils for machining operations.