HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5601.21 – Wadding; other articles thereof, of cotton
HS code 5601.21 is the 6-digit subheading for wadding, other articles thereof, of cotton. It is used for cotton quilt batting, medical cotton wool, cotton cosmetic pads, garment interlining (cotton) and cotton stuffing for toys.
What HS 5601.21 covers
This HS code covers wadding and other articles made predominantly or entirely of cotton. Wadding is a soft, bulky, and often loosely matted material used primarily for insulation, padding, and absorption. In international trade, these goods are crucial for various industries, including bedding (quilts, comforters), apparel (interlinings, insulation), medical supplies (cotton wool, bandages), and hygiene products (cosmetic pads). Importers range from textile manufacturers and medical suppliers to consumer goods companies. Exporters are typically agricultural regions with strong cotton processing capabilities. The market is driven by demand for natural, breathable, and hypoallergenic materials, with increasing interest in organic and sustainably sourced cotton. Quality factors include fiber purity, absorbency, loft, and consistency.
- Covers
- Cotton quilt batting
- Medical cotton wool
- Cotton cosmetic pads
- Garment interlining (cotton)
- Cotton stuffing for toys
- Absorbent cotton rolls
- Examples
- Johnson & Johnson cotton balls
- Mountain Mist cotton batting
- Warm & Natural cotton quilt batting
- Muji cotton pads
Codes often confused with 5601.21
Common mistake. Can be confused with 560122 (wadding of man-made fibres) if the fiber composition is not correctly identified, or 520100 (raw cotton) if it's not processed into wadding.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 560121, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 560121 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 11% 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 China $270M 24% of world exports
- 2 Germany $98M 8.8% of world exports
- 3 India $86M 7.7% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $108M 11% of world imports
- 2 France $86M 8.6% of world imports
- 3 Germany $66M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $1.0B 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 5601.21 2
Brazil splits HS 5601.21 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 5601.21.10 Cotton waddingPastas (ouates)
- 5601.21.90 Other articles of cotton waddingOutros artigos de pastas (ouates)
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 56.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5601.21
What is HS code 560121?
HS code 560121 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Wadding; other articles thereof, of cotton. This HS code covers wadding and other articles made predominantly or entirely of cotton. Wadding is a soft, bulky, and often loosely matted material used primarily for insulation, padding, and absorption. In international trade, these goods are crucial for various industries, including bedding (quilts, comforters), apparel (interlinings, insulation), medical supplies (cotton wool, bandages), and hygiene products (cosmetic pads). Importers range from textile manufacturers and medical suppliers to consumer goods companies. Exporters are typically agricultural regions with strong cotton processing capabilities. The market is driven by demand for natural, breathable, and hypoallergenic materials, with increasing interest in organic and sustainably sourced cotton. Quality factors include fiber purity, absorbency, loft, and consistency.
What products fall under HS code 560121?
Cotton quilt batting, medical cotton wool, cotton cosmetic pads, garment interlining (cotton), cotton stuffing for toys, absorbent cotton rolls
What are common misclassifications for HS code 560121?
Can be confused with 560122 (wadding of man-made fibres) if the fiber composition is not correctly identified, or 520100 (raw cotton) if it's not processed into wadding.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 560121?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 560121 in UN Comtrade data were China ($270M, 24% of world exports), Germany ($98M) and India ($86M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 560121?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 560121 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($108M, 11% of world imports), France ($86M) and Germany ($66M). World imports came to about $1.0B, 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 560121 structured?
HS code 560121 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (56) 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 560121?
Brazil splits HS code 560121 into 2 NCM codes: 5601.21.10 (Cotton wadding), 5601.21.90 (Other articles of cotton wadding). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.