HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5202.99 – Cotton; waste other than garnetted stock and yarn (including thread) waste
HS code 5202.99 is the 6-digit subheading for cotton, waste other than garnetted stock and yarn (including thread) waste. It is used for cotton motes, carding waste, comber noils, ginning waste and flat strips.
What HS 5202.99 covers
This is a residual HS code for all other types of cotton waste not specifically classified as yarn waste (520210) or garnetted stock (520291). It typically includes raw cotton waste from ginning (e.g., motes, fly), carding waste (e.g., sliver waste, flat strips), comber noils, and other miscellaneous by-products from textile processing. This diverse category of waste is traded internationally for various industrial uses, including the production of industrial wiping cloths, paper manufacturing, and as raw material for further processing into recycled fibers. Importers are diverse, ranging from paper mills and cleaning product manufacturers to specialized recyclers. Exporters are cotton gins, spinning mills, and textile factories seeking to manage and monetize their waste streams. The specific composition and cleanliness of the waste determine its suitability and value in trade.
- Covers
- Cotton motes
- Carding waste
- Comber noils
- Ginning waste
- Flat strips
- Fly waste
- Cotton linter waste
- Sweepings
- Examples
- Industrial wiping rags
- recycled paper pulp (cotton content)
- non-woven cleaning wipes
- cellulose derivatives from cotton linters
Codes often confused with 5202.99
Common mistake. This is the 'catch-all' for cotton waste. It's crucial to ensure the waste isn't yarn/thread waste (520210) or garnetted stock (520291) before classifying it here.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 520299, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520299 in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 24% 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 $88M 32% of world exports
- 2 India $51M 18% of world exports
- 3 Germany $35M 13% of world exports
World total: $277M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $74M 24% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$34M 11% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Türkiye $20M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $307M 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 5202.99
Brazil does not split HS 5202.99: its NCM code is 5202.99.00.
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 5202.99
What is HS code 520299?
HS code 520299 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cotton; waste other than garnetted stock and yarn (including thread) waste. This is a residual HS code for all other types of cotton waste not specifically classified as yarn waste (520210) or garnetted stock (520291). It typically includes raw cotton waste from ginning (e.g., motes, fly), carding waste (e.g., sliver waste, flat strips), comber noils, and other miscellaneous by-products from textile processing. This diverse category of waste is traded internationally for various industrial uses, including the production of industrial wiping cloths, paper manufacturing, and as raw material for further processing into recycled fibers. Importers are diverse, ranging from paper mills and cleaning product manufacturers to specialized recyclers. Exporters are cotton gins, spinning mills, and textile factories seeking to manage and monetize their waste streams. The specific composition and cleanliness of the waste determine its suitability and value in trade.
What products fall under HS code 520299?
Cotton motes, carding waste, comber noils, ginning waste, flat strips, fly waste, cotton linter waste, sweepings
What are common misclassifications for HS code 520299?
This is the 'catch-all' for cotton waste. It's crucial to ensure the waste isn't yarn/thread waste (520210) or garnetted stock (520291) before classifying it here.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520299?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520299 in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($88M, 32% of world exports), India ($51M) and Germany ($35M). World exports came to about $277M, 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 520299?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520299 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($74M, 24% of world imports), Vietnam (about $34M) and Türkiye ($20M). World imports came to about $307M, 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 520299 structured?
HS code 520299 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 (99) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520299?
In Brazil, HS code 520299 is NCM 5202.99.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.