HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 51.01 – Wool, not carded or combed
What HS 51.01 covers
HS Code 5101 specifically covers raw wool that has not undergone the mechanical processes of carding or combing, representing the initial stage of wool processing in international trade. This crucial heading encompasses wool directly shorn from sheep, regardless of its cleanliness or state, prior to fiber alignment. It includes 'greasy wool' (wool in its natural state, containing lanolin, suint, and dirt), 'scoured wool' (wool that has been washed to remove impurities but not yet carded or combed), and 'carbonized wool' (wool treated with acid to remove vegetable matter). The defining characteristic for this classification is the *absence* of carding or combing, processes that align and disentangle fibers, preparing them for spinning. This clearly distinguishes it from more processed forms like carded wool (5103) or combed wool (5105). The scope is broad, covering various wool types, from fine merino to coarse carpet wool, independent of sheep breed. For trade compliance professionals, accurate classification under 5101 is fundamental for applying correct import duties, agricultural subsidies, and stringent sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, as raw wool can carry biological contaminants. Historically, wool has been a foundational commodity in textile trade, with major producing nations like Australia and New Zealand playing pivotal roles in supplying global markets. Its placement in Section XI (Textiles and Textile Articles) and Chapter 51 (Wool, Fine or Coarse Animal Hair; Horsehair Yarn and Woven Fabric) underscores its natural fiber origin and its very first stage within the complex textile supply chain, making it vital for global trade statistics and policy.
- Covers
- Greasy merino wool
- Scoured merino wool
- Greasy crossbred wool
- Scoured crossbred wool
- Greasy coarse wool
- Scoured coarse wool
- Carbonized wool
- Raw sheep fleece
- Unwashed wool
- Wool in the grease
- Wool direct from shearing
- Wool for felting (unprocessed)
- Wool for insulation (unprocessed)
- Wool for artisanal spinning (unprocessed)
- Wool for industrial processing (unprocessed)
- Fine micron wool (unprocessed)
- Medium micron wool (unprocessed)
- Coarse micron wool (unprocessed)
- Skirted wool fleece
- Bellies and pieces of wool
- Locks of wool
- Crutchings of wool
- Shearing shed wool
- Baled greasy wool
- Baled scoured wool
- Examples
An Australian wool cooperative exports vast quantities of baled greasy merino wool to processing plants in China, where it will be scoured, carded, and spun into high-quality yarns, utilizing efficient ocean freight routes from Fremantle to Shanghai. A European carpet manufacturer imports scoured crossbred wool from New Zealand, valuing its resilience for durable carpet production, with shipments primarily arriving at major ports like Hamburg or Antwerp. A specialized craft supplier in the United States sources small batches of raw, unwashed heirloom wool from boutique farms in the United Kingdom for hand-spinning and artisanal felting, often via air cargo for expedited delivery due to its niche market. An Indian textile mill procures carbonized wool from South Africa, destined for worsted spinning, transported by container ship to the port of Mumbai for further processing into fine fabrics.
Subheadings under 51.01 5
Codes often confused with 51.01
Common mistake. A common error is misclassifying wool that *has* been carded or combed under 5101 instead of 5103 (carded wool) or 5105 (combed wool). The critical distinction lies in the mechanical processing: 5101 is raw and unaligned, while carded/combed wool has undergone fiber alignment. Another mistake involves confusing wool waste (5103) with raw wool, especially if the waste is in a relatively unprocessed state. Furthermore, some traders might incorrectly classify wool that has undergone preliminary treatments like carbonization as a more processed form if they don't fully understand the specific definitions of 'not carded or combed' within the Harmonized System.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 5101, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 5101 in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 60% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 71% 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 Australia $1.6B 60% of world exports
- 2 New Zealand $282M 10% of world exports
- 3 South Africa $273M 10% of world exports
World total: $2.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $1.9B 71% of world imports
- 2 India $219M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 Italy $152M 5.6% of world imports
World total: $2.7B 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.
Questions about HS 51.01
What is HS code 5101?
HS code 5101 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Wool, not carded or combed. HS Code 5101 specifically covers raw wool that has not undergone the mechanical processes of carding or combing, representing the initial stage of wool processing in international trade. This crucial heading encompasses wool directly shorn from sheep, regardless of its cleanliness or state, prior to fiber alignment. It includes 'greasy wool' (wool in its natural state, containing lanolin, suint, and dirt), 'scoured wool' (wool that has been washed to remove impurities but not yet carded or combed), and 'carbonized wool' (wool treated with acid to remove vegetable matter). The defining characteristic for this classification is the *absence* of carding or combing, processes that align and disentangle fibers, preparing them for spinning. This clearly distinguishes it from more processed forms like carded wool (5103) or combed wool (5105). The scope is broad, covering various wool types, from fine merino to coarse carpet wool, independent of sheep breed. For trade compliance professionals, accurate classification under 5101 is fundamental for applying correct import duties, agricultural subsidies, and stringent sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, as raw wool can carry biological contaminants. Historically, wool has been a foundational commodity in textile trade, with major producing nations like Australia and New Zealand playing pivotal roles in supplying global markets. Its placement in Section XI (Textiles and Textile Articles) and Chapter 51 (Wool, Fine or Coarse Animal Hair; Horsehair Yarn and Woven Fabric) underscores its natural fiber origin and its very first stage within the complex textile supply chain, making it vital for global trade statistics and policy.
What products fall under HS code 5101?
Greasy merino wool, Scoured merino wool, Greasy crossbred wool, Scoured crossbred wool, Greasy coarse wool, Scoured coarse wool, Carbonized wool, Raw sheep fleece, Unwashed wool, Wool in the grease, Wool direct from shearing, Wool for felting (unprocessed), Wool for insulation (unprocessed), Wool for artisanal spinning (unprocessed), Wool for industrial processing (unprocessed), Fine micron wool (unprocessed), Medium micron wool (unprocessed), Coarse micron wool (unprocessed), Skirted wool fleece, Bellies and pieces of wool, Locks of wool, Crutchings of wool, Shearing shed wool, Baled greasy wool, Baled scoured wool
What are common misclassifications for HS code 5101?
A common error is misclassifying wool that *has* been carded or combed under 5101 instead of 5103 (carded wool) or 5105 (combed wool). The critical distinction lies in the mechanical processing: 5101 is raw and unaligned, while carded/combed wool has undergone fiber alignment. Another mistake involves confusing wool waste (5103) with raw wool, especially if the waste is in a relatively unprocessed state. Furthermore, some traders might incorrectly classify wool that has undergone preliminary treatments like carbonization as a more processed form if they don't fully understand the specific definitions of 'not carded or combed' within the Harmonized System.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 5101?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 5101 in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($1.6B, 60% of world exports), New Zealand ($282M) and South Africa ($273M). World exports came to about $2.7B, 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 5101?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 5101 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.9B, 71% of world imports), India ($219M) and Italy ($152M). World imports came to about $2.7B, 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 5101 structured?
HS code 5101 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 51 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (51) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (01) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.