Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormFixed vegetable oil (castor oil; crude or refined)
Industry PositionOleochemical and cosmetic/pharmaceutical ingredient
Market
Castor oil in Mexico is primarily an import-supplied industrial ingredient used across cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications. UN Comtrade-derived data show Mexico sourcing most castor oil (HS 151530) from India, with smaller volumes from Brazil, the United States, and EU suppliers. Domestic cultivation of higuerilla (castor bean) exists but is reported as small-scale and positioned by public research bodies as an alternative oilseed crop in water-constrained contexts. As a result, Mexico functions mainly as an import-dependent downstream market rather than a significant global supplier.
Market RoleImport-dependent industrial and consumer market (net importer)
Domestic RoleDownstream user market supplied mainly by imports; limited domestic castor-bean cultivation and local distribution/repackaging for industrial, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical users
Risks
Supply Concentration HighMexico’s castor oil supply is heavily import-dependent and concentrated in India-origin sourcing; adverse Indian crop outcomes, export constraints, or price shocks can quickly reduce availability or raise delivered costs for Mexican buyers.Qualify multi-origin supply (e.g., India plus secondary origins), lock in framework contracts with volume flexibility, and hold safety stock for critical formulations.
Regulatory Compliance MediumDepending on intended use (cosmetic, food/raw material, or health input), COFEPRIS import procedures and sanitary permits/notifications may be required; missing or mismatched authorizations can trigger border delays or rejection.Confirm product category and intended use before shipment; align tariff line, labeling/presentation, and COFEPRIS/VUCEM filing requirements with the importer’s compliance team and customs broker.
Logistics MediumLong-haul ocean logistics exposure (especially for India-origin bulk shipments) makes procurement sensitive to freight volatility and port congestion, which can disrupt delivery schedules into Mexico.Use dual forwarders, build lead-time buffers, and consider staggered shipment schedules with partial lots to reduce single-voyage disruption risk.
Product Safety MediumQuality failures (e.g., unsuitable grade for intended use, contamination, or incomplete refining assurances) can force batch rejection for pharmaceutical/cosmetic manufacturing and create costly rework.Specify grade and critical quality parameters in purchase specs; require lot-level COA and supplier quality system evidence appropriate to end use.
Sustainability- Water-stress adaptation context: Mexico public research highlights higuerilla as a lower-water-demand alternative crop in some regions, implying sustainability screening should consider local water and land-use context if domestic sourcing expands.
- Bioenergy/industrial-crop expansion risk: cultivation promoted as an alternative oilseed can create land-use trade-offs; supplier due diligence should screen for land conversion in any new domestic projects.
Labor & Social- Worker health and safety risk in upstream handling: castor bean processing byproducts can involve ricin-related hazards; require documented occupational safety controls from any domestic seed/oil processors.
- No widely documented, product-specific labor controversy is prominent for castor oil in Mexico trade; social risk management is primarily driven by general EHS and supplier-labor compliance due diligence.
FAQ
Is Mexico mainly an importer or exporter of castor oil?Mexico is mainly a net importer for castor oil. Recent UN Comtrade-derived data for HS 151530 show substantial imports into Mexico—led by India—while Mexico’s recorded exports are comparatively small.
Which tariff line is commonly used in Mexico for castor oil, and what is the baseline import duty shown in the tariff law listing?A commonly referenced Mexican tariff line for castor oil is 1515.30.01 (Aceite de ricino y sus fracciones). The published LIGIE tariff listing shown on an official-text re-publication indicates the import duty for this line as Ex., but importers should still verify current applicability for the exact product form and intended use.
When might COFEPRIS be involved in importing castor oil into Mexico?COFEPRIS involvement depends on intended use and product category. If castor oil is imported as part of regulated categories such as cosmetics, foods/raw materials, or health-related inputs, COFEPRIS import procedures and sanitary permits/notifications may apply.