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Carnauba wax

Carnauba wax suppliers and sourcing guide

Carnauba wax comes from the leaves of the carnauba palm (Copernicia prunifera, also called Copernicia cerifera), which grows in northeastern Brazil. Leaves are cut and dried, the wax powder is beaten off, then melted, filtered and sometimes bleached or refined, and cast into flakes or ground to powder. It is one of the hardest natural waxes with a high melting point. Brands use it as a polishing and glazing agent on candy and tablets and in cosmetics.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Copernicia cerifera wax · Copernicia prunifera wax · Brazil wax · E903 · Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of carnauba wax

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Type 1 (prime yellow)

    The lightest, most refined grade, used for food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

  • Type 3 and Type 4

    Darker, less refined grades used more in technical applications.

  • Flakes and powder

    Flakes for melting into coatings and cosmetics; fine powder for dusting and polishing tablets and confectionery.

  • Organic

    Carnauba wax from certified organic production, offered by a few suppliers.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity and melting range
Melting point (around 80 to 86°C), confirming carnauba and grade.
Acid value and saponification value
By titration against the FCC or pharmacopeial limits.
Color
Color comparison or Gardner scale, which separates the grades.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic and other metals by ICP-MS.
Ash and insoluble matter
Residue on ignition and insoluble debris from the leaf powder.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store in closed containers in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sun. The wax is chemically stable and has a long shelf life, but powder can cake if warmed. The supplier sets shelf life or retest date, with appearance and melting point rechecked on older stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Color and melting range vary by harvest and refining. Record grade, color and melting range per lot, and check color match when the wax is used on visible coatings.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 184.1978 describes carnauba wax as obtained from the leaves and buds of the Brazilian wax palm Copernicia cerifera, marketed in five grades designated No. 1 through No. 5.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • 21 CFR 184.1978 affirms carnauba wax as GRAS as a direct human food ingredient used as an anticaking agent, formulation aid, lubricant and release agent, and surface-finishing agent in listed foods.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • 7 CFR 205.606 lists carnauba wax among the nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed in products labeled "organic", only when the product is not commercially available in organic form.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's List of Permitted Glazing and Polishing Agents allows carnauba wax as a glazing agent in unstandardized confectionery at up to 4,000 ppm.

    Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Carnauba wax suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking carnauba wax suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell carnauba wax? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of carnauba wax can brands buy?

Common forms include type 1 (prime yellow), type 3 and Type 4, flakes and powder and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for carnauba wax include?

Expect identity and melting range, acid value and saponification value, color, heavy metals and ash and insoluble matter, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should carnauba wax be stored?

Store in closed containers in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sun. The wax is chemically stable and has a long shelf life, but powder can cake if warmed. The supplier sets shelf life or retest date, with appearance and melting point rechecked on older stock.

What is the regulatory status of carnauba wax?

21 CFR 184.1978 describes carnauba wax as obtained from the leaves and buds of the Brazilian wax palm Copernicia cerifera, marketed in five grades designated No. 1 through No. 5. 21 CFR 184.1978 affirms carnauba wax as GRAS as a direct human food ingredient used as an anticaking agent, formulation aid, lubricant and release agent, and surface-finishing agent in listed foods. 7 CFR 205.606 lists carnauba wax among the nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed in products labeled "organic", only when the product is not commercially available in organic form. Health Canada's List of Permitted Glazing and Polishing Agents allows carnauba wax as a glazing agent in unstandardized confectionery at up to 4,000 ppm.

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