HS Code 5201
Raw Cotton Fibers (Uncarded and Uncombed)
HS code 5201 covers raw, ginned cotton that has not been carded or combed, representing the primary raw material for spinning into yarn and textile production.
4-digit Section XIFCL Hazmat 4.1
HS Code 5201 — Raw Cotton Fibers (Uncarded and Uncombed)
This code covers raw cotton once it has been ginned but before any further processing like carding or combing. It is the primary raw material for the global textile industry, consisting of the natural fibers harvested from the cotton plant.
What's included
- Ginned cotton
- Raw cotton lint
- Cotton in bales
- Absorbent cotton before carding
What's excluded
- Cotton waste → use
5202(Waste includes gin trash and yarn scraps which differ from clean raw fiber) - Carded cotton → use
5203(Carding is a mechanical process that aligns fibers, moving them to another code)
Common examples
- American Upland raw cotton bales
- Ginned Egyptian long-staple cotton
- Raw organic cotton lint
- Raw cotton for medical swab manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
Is cotton in the seed also under 5201?
Yes, cotton in the seed (unginned) is classified here, though most international trade is in ginned lint.
Trade & shipping notes
- Typical duty range: 0% - 5%
- Documentation: Subject to strict quarantine regulations in most countries to prevent pest transfer.
- Typical shipping mode: FCL
- Top exporters: United States, Brazil, India
- Top importers: China, Vietnam, Bangladesh
Related HS codes
Key takeaway
5201 is the 'raw material' code; any mechanical alignment of fibers moves the product to 5203.
Related HS codes
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