HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5301.21 – Flax; broken or scutched, but not spun
HS code 5301.21 is the 6-digit subheading for flax, broken or scutched, but not spun. It is used for broken flax straw, scutched flax fibers, flax shives (by-product), semi-processed flax and unhackled flax.
What HS 5301.21 covers
This category encompasses flax that has undergone initial mechanical processing, specifically breaking and scutching, but has not yet been spun into yarn. Breaking crushes the woody core of the flax stalk, while scutching separates the long bast fibers from the broken woody particles (shives). This results in a coarser, less refined fiber compared to hackled flax. It's an intermediate product traded between primary processors and manufacturers who will further refine it or use it in applications where a less uniform fiber is acceptable. Importers are often textile mills, non-woven manufacturers, or composite material producers. Exporters are typically countries with established flax processing infrastructure. Understanding the efficiency of the scutching process is key, as it directly impacts fiber yield and quality.
- Covers
- Broken flax straw
- Scutched flax fibers
- Flax shives (by-product)
- Semi-processed flax
- Unhackled flax
- Short flax fibers
- Examples
- Scutched flax from Normandy
- flax fiber for paper pulp
- flax for non-woven geotextiles
- flax for insulation batting
Codes often confused with 5301.21
Common mistake. Often confused with 530110 (raw or retted flax) if the mechanical processing is minimal, or 530129 (hackled flax) if the fibers are further refined and aligned for spinning.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 530121, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 530121 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 63% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 72% 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 France $611M 63% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $325M 33% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $16M 1.7% of world exports
World total: $974M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $888M 72% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $148M 12% of world imports
- 3 India $119M 9.6% of world imports
World total: $1.2B 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 codes for 5301.21 2
Brazil splits HS 5301.21 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 53.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5301.21
What is HS code 530121?
HS code 530121 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Flax; broken or scutched, but not spun. This category encompasses flax that has undergone initial mechanical processing, specifically breaking and scutching, but has not yet been spun into yarn. Breaking crushes the woody core of the flax stalk, while scutching separates the long bast fibers from the broken woody particles (shives). This results in a coarser, less refined fiber compared to hackled flax. It's an intermediate product traded between primary processors and manufacturers who will further refine it or use it in applications where a less uniform fiber is acceptable. Importers are often textile mills, non-woven manufacturers, or composite material producers. Exporters are typically countries with established flax processing infrastructure. Understanding the efficiency of the scutching process is key, as it directly impacts fiber yield and quality.
What products fall under HS code 530121?
Broken flax straw, scutched flax fibers, flax shives (by-product), semi-processed flax, unhackled flax, short flax fibers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 530121?
Often confused with 530110 (raw or retted flax) if the mechanical processing is minimal, or 530129 (hackled flax) if the fibers are further refined and aligned for spinning.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 530121?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 530121 in UN Comtrade data were France ($611M, 63% of world exports), Belgium ($325M) and the Netherlands ($16M). World exports came to about $974M, 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 530121?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 530121 in UN Comtrade data were China ($888M, 72% of world imports), Belgium ($148M) and India ($119M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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 530121 structured?
HS code 530121 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (53) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) 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 530121?
Brazil splits HS code 530121 into 2 NCM codes: 5301.21.10 (Broken flax, not spun), 5301.21.20 (Scutched flax, not spun). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.