HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5202.10 – Cotton; yarn waste (including thread waste)
HS code 5202.10 is the 6-digit subheading for cotton, yarn waste (including thread waste). It is used for cotton spinning waste, cotton weaving waste, thread waste, bobbin waste and selvedge waste.
What HS 5202.10 covers
This category specifically covers cotton yarn waste, including thread waste, generated during the spinning, weaving, and garment manufacturing processes. This valuable secondary raw material includes broken threads, leftover bobbins, and trimmings, which are too short or irregular for primary textile production but are highly sought after for recycling. Importers are typically textile recycling facilities, manufacturers of lower-grade yarns (e.g., for mops or industrial fabrics), non-woven materials, or filling for upholstery. Exporters are textile mills, spinning factories, and garment manufacturers looking to monetize their by-products and contribute to circular economy initiatives. The trade focuses on volume, consistency, and cleanliness of the waste type, as these factors determine its suitability for various recycling applications.
- Covers
- Cotton spinning waste
- Cotton weaving waste
- Thread waste
- Bobbin waste
- Selvedge waste
- Yarn remnants
- Hosiery clips
- Examples
- Textile mill yarn offcuts
- garment factory thread trimmings
- recycled cotton mop yarn
- industrial wiping rags (from yarn waste)
Codes often confused with 5202.10
Common mistake. Can be confused with other cotton waste categories like 520291 (garnetted stock) or 520299 (other waste). The defining characteristic here is that it originates specifically from yarn or thread.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 520210, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520210 in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 20% of world imports. Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 61% of its exports here ($18M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher. Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 79% of its imports here ($13M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Türkiye $13M 27% of world exports
- 2 Bangladesh* ~$6.9M 14% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Uzbekistan* ~$5.2M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 61% of its exports here ($18M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $49M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $9.2M 20% of world imports
- 2 Pakistan $8.6M 19% of world imports
- 3 Türkiye $6.5M 14% of world imports
Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 79% of its imports here ($13M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $45M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 5202.10
Brazil does not split HS 5202.10: its NCM code is 5202.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 52.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5202.10
What is HS code 520210?
HS code 520210 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cotton; yarn waste (including thread waste). This category specifically covers cotton yarn waste, including thread waste, generated during the spinning, weaving, and garment manufacturing processes. This valuable secondary raw material includes broken threads, leftover bobbins, and trimmings, which are too short or irregular for primary textile production but are highly sought after for recycling. Importers are typically textile recycling facilities, manufacturers of lower-grade yarns (e.g., for mops or industrial fabrics), non-woven materials, or filling for upholstery. Exporters are textile mills, spinning factories, and garment manufacturers looking to monetize their by-products and contribute to circular economy initiatives. The trade focuses on volume, consistency, and cleanliness of the waste type, as these factors determine its suitability for various recycling applications.
What products fall under HS code 520210?
Cotton spinning waste, cotton weaving waste, thread waste, bobbin waste, selvedge waste, yarn remnants, hosiery clips
What are common misclassifications for HS code 520210?
Can be confused with other cotton waste categories like 520291 (garnetted stock) or 520299 (other waste). The defining characteristic here is that it originates specifically from yarn or thread.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520210?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520210 in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($13M, 27% of world exports), Bangladesh (about $6.9M) and Uzbekistan (about $5.2M). World exports came to about $49M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 61% of its exports here ($18M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 520210?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520210 in UN Comtrade data were India ($9.2M, 20% of world imports), Pakistan ($8.6M) and Türkiye ($6.5M). World imports came to about $45M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 79% of its imports here ($13M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 520210 structured?
HS code 520210 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (52) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520210?
In Brazil, HS code 520210 is NCM 5202.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.