HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 4102.21 – Skins; raw, of sheep or lambs, pickled (but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further preserved), without wool on

HS code 4102.21 is the 6-digit subheading for skins, raw, of sheep or lambs, pickled (but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further preserved), without wool on. It is used for pickled sheep pelts, pickled lamb pelts, de-wooled sheepskins (pickled), salt-acid treated lambskins and raw sheepskins (without wool, pickled).

What HS 4102.21 covers

This HS code covers raw sheep or lamb skins that have been de-wooled and then pickled, a crucial preservation step before tanning. Pickling involves treating the skins with acid and salt, which stabilizes the collagen and prepares them for the tanning process, preventing bacterial degradation. These 'pickled pelts' are a key intermediate product in the global leather supply chain. Importers are primarily tanneries that specialize in producing fine leathers from sheep and lamb skins, used for garments, gloves, and luxury goods. Exporters are often slaughterhouses or specialized hide processors in sheep-farming regions. Trade considerations include the quality of the de-wooling, the effectiveness of the pickling process, and the absence of defects, as these directly impact the quality of the final leather product.

Covers
  • Pickled sheep pelts
  • Pickled lamb pelts
  • De-wooled sheepskins (pickled)
  • Salt-acid treated lambskins
  • Raw sheepskins (without wool, pickled)
Examples
  • Pickled pelts from New Zealand lamb
  • Australian sheep
  • Spanish lamb

Codes often confused with 4102.21

Common mistake. This code is specifically for 'pickled' skins 'without wool on.' It's crucial not to confuse it with 410210 (with wool on) or 410229 (other preserved skins without wool), or with tanned skins (e.g., 4105) which have undergone further processing.

4102.10Skins; raw, of sheep or lambs, fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, (but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), with wool on4102.29Hides and skins; raw, of animals n.e.c. in this chapter, fresh, salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, (but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split41.05Tanned or crust skins of sheep and lambs, without wool on, whether or not split, but not further prepared

Top exporters and importers of HS code 410221, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 410221 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 42% 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. 1 China $12M
  2. 2 Spain $11M
  3. 3 South Africa $9.4M

World total: $69M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Italy $40M
  2. 2 Indonesia $15M
  3. 3 Pakistan $12M

World total: $95M 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 code for 4102.21

Brazil does not split HS 4102.21: its NCM code is 4102.21.00.

  1. 4102.21.00 Pickled raw sheepskins without woolPiqueladas

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 41.02 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 4102.21

What is HS code 410221?

HS code 410221 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Skins; raw, of sheep or lambs, pickled (but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further preserved), without wool on. This HS code covers raw sheep or lamb skins that have been de-wooled and then pickled, a crucial preservation step before tanning. Pickling involves treating the skins with acid and salt, which stabilizes the collagen and prepares them for the tanning process, preventing bacterial degradation. These 'pickled pelts' are a key intermediate product in the global leather supply chain. Importers are primarily tanneries that specialize in producing fine leathers from sheep and lamb skins, used for garments, gloves, and luxury goods. Exporters are often slaughterhouses or specialized hide processors in sheep-farming regions. Trade considerations include the quality of the de-wooling, the effectiveness of the pickling process, and the absence of defects, as these directly impact the quality of the final leather product.

What products fall under HS code 410221?

Pickled sheep pelts, Pickled lamb pelts, De-wooled sheepskins (pickled), Salt-acid treated lambskins, Raw sheepskins (without wool, pickled)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 410221?

This code is specifically for 'pickled' skins 'without wool on.' It's crucial not to confuse it with 410210 (with wool on) or 410229 (other preserved skins without wool), or with tanned skins (e.g., 4105) which have undergone further processing.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 410221?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 410221 in UN Comtrade data were China ($12M, 18% of world exports), Spain ($11M) and South Africa ($9.4M). 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 410221?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 410221 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($40M, 42% of world imports), Indonesia ($15M) and Pakistan ($12M). World imports came to about $95M, 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 410221 structured?

HS code 410221 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (41) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 410221?

In Brazil, HS code 410221 is NCM 4102.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.