Palm nuts and kernels (1207100000) are the whole or broken seeds prior to oil extraction and are classified in Chapter 12. Once the oil has been extracted, the product becomes palm kernel oil, classified in Chapter 15. Importers should ensure that commercial invoices and certificates of analysis clearly describe the physical form of the goods — whole kernel, broken kernel, or expeller cake — to avoid misclassification between these chapters.

USDA APHIS phytosanitary requirements apply at entry, and a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country is standard documentation. For palm kernels entering food or feed supply chains, the foreign facility must be registered with FDA under the Bioterrorism Act, and shipments may be subject to FDA sampling for aflatoxin or other contaminants. Consulting a licensed customs broker familiar with oilseed admissibility is advisable.