HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1404.20 – Vegetable products; cotton linters
HS code 1404.20 is the 6-digit subheading for vegetable products, cotton linters. It is used for cotton linter pulp, bleached cotton linters, unbleached cotton linters, chemical-grade linters and dissolving pulp from linters.
What HS 1404.20 covers
This HS code specifically covers cotton linters, which are the short fibers that remain on cottonseed after ginning, following the removal of the longer staple cotton fibers. While too short for textile spinning, cotton linters are a highly valuable raw material for various industrial applications in international trade. They are primarily used in the production of high-quality cellulose pulp, which in turn is used to make specialty papers (e.g., banknotes, filter paper), cellulose derivatives (e.g., rayon, cellulose acetate for plastics and films), explosives, and medical supplies. Importers are typically chemical companies, paper manufacturers, and specialized industrial processors. Exporters are major cotton-producing countries. Key trade considerations include purity, fiber length, and cellulose content, as these determine their suitability for different industrial processes and end-product quality.
- Covers
- Cotton linter pulp
- Bleached cotton linters
- Unbleached cotton linters
- Chemical-grade linters
- Dissolving pulp from linters
- Linter paper pulp
- Purified linters
- Short cotton fibers
- Examples
- Eastman Chemical cellulose acetate
- Lenzing Viscose fibers (from pulp)
- Crane Currency banknote paper
- filter paper for coffee machines
- medical cotton swabs (some types)
Codes often confused with 1404.20
Common mistake. Must be distinguished from raw cotton (5201.00) which has longer fibers for spinning, and cotton waste (5202.99) which is a byproduct of textile manufacturing.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 140420, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 140420 in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 54% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Türkiye $16M 22% of world exports
- 2 Brazil $15M 22% of world exports
- 3 India $11M 16% of world exports
World total: $69M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $34M 54% of world imports
- 2 Japan $13M 21% of world imports
- 3 Serbia $4.0M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $63M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM codes for 1404.20 2
Brazil splits HS 1404.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 14.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1404.20
What is HS code 140420?
HS code 140420 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vegetable products; cotton linters. This HS code specifically covers cotton linters, which are the short fibers that remain on cottonseed after ginning, following the removal of the longer staple cotton fibers. While too short for textile spinning, cotton linters are a highly valuable raw material for various industrial applications in international trade. They are primarily used in the production of high-quality cellulose pulp, which in turn is used to make specialty papers (e.g., banknotes, filter paper), cellulose derivatives (e.g., rayon, cellulose acetate for plastics and films), explosives, and medical supplies. Importers are typically chemical companies, paper manufacturers, and specialized industrial processors. Exporters are major cotton-producing countries. Key trade considerations include purity, fiber length, and cellulose content, as these determine their suitability for different industrial processes and end-product quality.
What products fall under HS code 140420?
Cotton linter pulp, bleached cotton linters, unbleached cotton linters, chemical-grade linters, dissolving pulp from linters, linter paper pulp, purified linters, short cotton fibers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 140420?
Must be distinguished from raw cotton (5201.00) which has longer fibers for spinning, and cotton waste (5202.99) which is a byproduct of textile manufacturing.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 140420?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 140420 in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($16M, 22% of world exports), Brazil ($15M) and India ($11M). World exports came to about $69M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 140420?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 140420 in UN Comtrade data were China ($34M, 54% of world imports), Japan ($13M) and Serbia ($4.0M). World imports came to about $63M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 140420 structured?
HS code 140420 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (14) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 140420?
Brazil splits HS code 140420 into 2 NCM codes: 1404.20.10 (Raw cotton linters), 1404.20.90 (Other cotton linters). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.