Diesel|HTS Code

Diesel harmonized system code

Product Overview Diesel falling under HTS 2710.19 is a refined middle‑distillate petroleum fuel produced by fractional distillation and subsequent refinery treatment (hydrotreating/hydrocracking) for use in compression‑ignition engines and industrial burners. Key characteristics include a typical boiling range of approximately 180–360°C, density commonly 820–860 kg/m3 at 15°C, kinematic viscosity approximately 1.9–4.1 mm2/s (cSt) at 40°C, flash point generally >52°C, and cetane number in the nominal 40–55 range; sulfur content varies by specification with ultra‑low sulfur diesel (ULSD) ≤15 ppm. Processing levels range from straight‑run distillates to hydrotreated/hydrocracked streams with reduced aromatics. Commercial subcategories under HTS 2710.19 are commonly recorded as automotive/road diesel, distillate fuel oils (No.1 and No.2 gas oils), and paraffinic or low‑aromatic distillate streams; petroleum‑dominant biodiesel blends (e.g., B5/B20) are often classified here when the petroleum fraction predominates. Primary applications include on‑highway transport, industrial and marine engines, power generation, and wholesale/retail distribution. HTS Code Classification & Trade Specifications HTS structure: Chapter 27 (Mineral fuels, oils and products of their distillation), Heading 2710 (Oils petroleum, etc., other than crude), Subheading 2710.19 — full six‑digit code 271019 — covering light oils and preparations such as gas oil/diesel fuel (distillate fuels). Classification rationale: diesel is a refined middle‑distillate (not crude) whose physical and chemical descriptors (boiling range, viscosity, intended use as a fuel) fall within the 2710 group. Trade considerations: typical commercial packing is bulk by road tanker, marine tanker and ISO tank containers; smaller consignments use 200 L drums or IBCs. Preservation/handling practices include tank inerting, desiccant breathers, filtration prior to blending, and use of antioxidants or cold‑flow additives where required. Transport references: UN 1202 (diesel/gas oil), Class 3 flammable liquid, Packing Group III. Quality standards and documentation commonly required for customs clearance include ASTM D975 or EN 590 conformity, certificate of analysis, SDS and country‑of‑origin declaration.

Diesel 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.