HS Code 5203
Carded or Combed Cotton Fiber
HS code 5203 covers cotton fiber that has been processed by carding or combing to prepare it for spinning into high-quality yarn or textile manufacturing.
4-digit Section XIFCL
HS Code 5203 — Carded or Combed Cotton Fiber
This code is for cotton that has been mechanically processed through carding or combing to align the fibers and remove impurities. This is the stage immediately preceding the spinning of cotton into yarn.
What's included
- Cotton sliver
- Combed cotton lap
- Carded cotton web
- Cotton roving
What's excluded
- Raw cotton (unprocessed) → use
5201(5201 is for fibers that haven't been mechanically aligned) - Cotton yarn → use
5205(Once the fiber is spun into a continuous strand, it becomes yarn)
Common examples
- Cotton sliver for spinning mills
- Combed cotton top
- Carded cotton roving for artisanal spinning
- Bleached combed cotton fiber
Frequently asked questions
Is this code for yarn?
No, this is for the 'sliver' or 'roving' state—thick, loose bundles of fiber—before they are twisted into yarn.
Trade & shipping notes
- Typical duty range: 2% - 10%
- Documentation: Fiber length measurements should be provided in the commercial invoice.
- Typical shipping mode: FCL
- Top exporters: China, India, Turkiye
- Top importers: Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand
Related HS codes
Key takeaway
5203 represents the intermediate step between raw cotton (5201) and yarn (5205).
Related HS codes
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