HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5202.91 – Cotton; garnetted stock waste
HS code 5202.91 is the 6-digit subheading for cotton, garnetted stock waste. It is used for garnetted cotton fibers, recycled cotton for spinning, cotton batting material, non-woven cotton stock and regenerated cotton fibers.
What HS 5202.91 covers
This HS code covers cotton garnetted stock, which is cotton waste that has undergone a specific mechanical process called garnetting. This process opens up textile waste, such as fabric scraps or yarn waste, back into individual fibers, making them suitable for re-spinning into lower-quality yarns, or for use in non-woven applications, wadding, and stuffing. This trade is vital for promoting circularity within the textile industry, transforming discarded materials into new resources. Importers are typically manufacturers of recycled textiles, insulation, padding, and automotive components. Exporters are textile recycling plants and large-scale textile waste processors, often located in countries with significant textile production. The quality and consistency of the garnetted fibers are crucial for their end-use applications.
- Covers
- Garnetted cotton fibers
- Recycled cotton for spinning
- Cotton batting material
- Non-woven cotton stock
- Regenerated cotton fibers
- Shoddy cotton
- Reclaimed cotton fibers
- Examples
- Recycled denim fibers
- mattress stuffing (from garnetted cotton)
- automotive insulation (cotton-based)
- acoustic panels (cotton fiber)
Codes often confused with 5202.91
Common mistake. Distinct from 520210 (yarn waste) and 520299 (other waste) because it has undergone the specific garnetting process, transforming it into a fibrous stock.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 520291, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520291 in UN Comtrade data was Pakistan, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 20% 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 Pakistan $21M 36% of world exports
- 2 Bangladesh* ~$9.2M 16% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Türkiye $7.5M 13% of world exports
World total: $59M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $7.4M 20% of world imports
- 2 Italy $4.3M 11% of world imports
- 3 France $4.1M 11% of world imports
World total: $37M 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 5202.91
Brazil does not split HS 5202.91: its NCM code is 5202.91.00.
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 5202.91
What is HS code 520291?
HS code 520291 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cotton; garnetted stock waste. This HS code covers cotton garnetted stock, which is cotton waste that has undergone a specific mechanical process called garnetting. This process opens up textile waste, such as fabric scraps or yarn waste, back into individual fibers, making them suitable for re-spinning into lower-quality yarns, or for use in non-woven applications, wadding, and stuffing. This trade is vital for promoting circularity within the textile industry, transforming discarded materials into new resources. Importers are typically manufacturers of recycled textiles, insulation, padding, and automotive components. Exporters are textile recycling plants and large-scale textile waste processors, often located in countries with significant textile production. The quality and consistency of the garnetted fibers are crucial for their end-use applications.
What products fall under HS code 520291?
Garnetted cotton fibers, recycled cotton for spinning, cotton batting material, non-woven cotton stock, regenerated cotton fibers, shoddy cotton, reclaimed cotton fibers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 520291?
Distinct from 520210 (yarn waste) and 520299 (other waste) because it has undergone the specific garnetting process, transforming it into a fibrous stock.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520291?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520291 in UN Comtrade data were Pakistan ($21M, 36% of world exports), Bangladesh (about $9.2M) and Türkiye ($7.5M). World exports came to about $59M, 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 520291?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520291 in UN Comtrade data were India ($7.4M, 20% of world imports), Italy ($4.3M) and France ($4.1M). World imports came to about $37M, 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 520291 structured?
HS code 520291 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 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520291?
In Brazil, HS code 520291 is NCM 5202.91.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.