Esters Available — Bulk Only

Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii)

CAS 194043-92-0

A plant-derived solid fat that brings natural emolliency and a firm melt profile to balms, sticks, and creams. It is used as an emollient and skin-conditioning ingredient across cosmetic and personal-care formulations, and as a structuring fat in stick and balm bases.

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HS Code
1515.90
At a Glance
Material Family
Esters
Record Type
Pure compound
Primary Role
Emolliency · Surfactancy
Solubility
Insoluble in water; soluble in oils and most non-polar organic solvents (typical)
Functional Roles
SHEA BUTTER GLYCERIDES
EMULSION STABILISINGHAIR CONDITIONINGSKIN CONDITIONINGSURFACTANT - CLEANSINGSURFACTANT - EMULSIFYINGVISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Industries Served
Applications & Use Cases
  • Emollient: Skin- and hair-conditioning emollient for creams, lotions, and balms.
  • Structuring fat: Solid fat phase for lipstick, balm, and stick formulations.
  • Carrier base: Lipid base for botanical and active delivery in personal care.
Physical Properties
Appearance
Off-white to pale-yellow solid butter (typical)
Odor
Faint characteristic nutty odor (typical, refined grades near-odorless)
Physical State
Semi-solid butter at room temperature (typical)
Melting Point
32-45 C (typical softening/melting range)
Saponification Value
178-198 mg KOH/g (typical)
Iodine Value
52-66 g I2/100 g (typical)
Unsaponifiable Matter
3-11 % (typical, higher than most vegetable fats)
Free Fatty Acids
<= 3 % as oleic acid (typical, refined grades lower)
Relative Density
0.90-0.92 g/cm3 at 25 C (typical)
Solubility
Insoluble in water; soluble in oils and most non-polar organic solvents (typical)
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request

A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.

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HS / Tariff Classification
Harmonized System (HS) Code — 6-digit international heading
1515 . 90
Chapter 15
Animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils
Heading 15.15
Internationally harmonized (WCO HS)
Subheading 1515.90
6-digit international code — national tariff line adds further digits
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
194043-92-0
INCI Name
SHEA BUTTER GLYCERIDES
Synonyms & Trade Names
Butyrospermum Parkii Vitellaria Paradoxa Shea Tree Seed Fat Karite Butter Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Fat Butyrospermum Parkii Seed Fat Refined Shea Butter
Full Description

Shea butter (CAS 194043-92-0) is the fixed fat expressed from the nut kernels of the shea tree (Butyrospermum parkii). It is used as an emollient and skin-conditioning ingredient across cosmetic and personal-care formulations, and as a structuring fat in stick and balm bases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is shea butter?

Shea butter (CAS 194043-92-0) is the fixed fat expressed from the nut kernels of the shea tree (Butyrospermum parkii). It is a solid-to-soft lipid used in personal-care formulation as an emollient, a structuring fat, and a carrier base.

What is shea butter used for in formulation?

It is used as a skin- and hair-conditioning emollient in creams, lotions, and balms, as a solid fat phase that gives structure to lipsticks, balms, and sticks, and as a lipid carrier base for botanical and active delivery in personal care.

Is shea butter refined or unrefined?

Shea butter is offered in both refined and unrefined forms, which differ in color and odor profile. RawSource can quote against your specified grade; confirm exact specification on the CoA when ordering, as grade availability varies by lot and origin.

What is the HS code for shea butter?

Shea butter classifies under HS 1515.90 (Other fixed vegetable or microbial fats and oils: Other). Verify the destination-country tariff line with your broker, since national subheadings extend beyond the six-digit code.

Can shea butter be supplied in bulk for manufacturing?

Yes. RawSource supplies shea butter in drums, totes, and IBC/bulk quantities to cosmetic and personal-care manufacturers. Request a bulk quote with your volume and grade requirement; CoA and SDS are available on request.

Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.