Product classification
HS code for Card clothing: 8448.31
Machines, card clothing, parts and accessories.
Classification of card clothing under HS 8448.31
Card clothing is classified under HS code 844831. This product is a specialized accessory for textile machinery, specifically for carding machines (heading 8445). Carding is the process of disentangling and cleaning fibers to produce a continuous sliver. Card clothing consists of a foundation material—which can be layers of fabric, leather, or rubber—into which thousands of fine wire teeth or pins are embedded. The Harmonized System classifies parts and accessories of textile machinery under heading 8448. Within this heading, subheading 844831 is specifically carved out for card clothing. This classification is determined by the function of the item as a dedicated component of a carding machine. There are two main types: flexible card clothing and metallic card clothing. Metallic card clothing is made of a continuous serrated wire that is wound around the carding cylinders. Despite being made of metal, its specific design for use in textile machinery dictates its classification in Chapter 84 rather than Chapter 73 (Articles of iron or steel).
- Covers
- Flexible card clothing
- Metallic card clothing (serrated wire)
- Carding wire for textile cylinders
- Foundation material with embedded pins for carding
- Tops for flat carding machines
- Also under 8448.31
- Graf card clothing
- Trützschler carding elements
- Rieter C 80 card clothing
- Lakshmi Machine Works (LMW) carding parts
- Marzoli card clothing
Codes often confused with 8448.31
Common mistake. Card clothing is sometimes misclassified under 844839, which is for "other" parts of machines of heading 8445. However, since 844831 specifically names "card clothing," it must be used. Another error is classifying metallic card clothing under 7317 (nails/staples) or 7326 (other articles of steel). General Rule of Interpretation 1 and Note 2 to Section XVI clarify that parts suitable for use solely or principally with a particular machine are classified with those machines or in their specific parts heading.
Top exporters and importers of HS 844831 (the code used for card clothing), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 844831 (the code used for card clothing) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 15% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 844831, not only card clothing.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $56M 28% of world exports
- 2 Switzerland $50M 25% of world exports
- 3 China $36M 18% of world exports
World total: $201M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $29M 15% of world imports
- 2 Germany $25M 13% of world imports
- 3 India $17M 9.0% of world imports
World total: $189M 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 code for card clothing
Brazil classifies card clothing under NCM 8448.31.00: HS 8448.31 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about card clothing
What is the HS code for Card clothing?
The HS code for Card clothing is 844831 (Machines, card clothing; parts and accessories). The HS code for card clothing used in textile machinery is 844831.
How do I classify Card clothing for customs?
Card clothing is classified under HS code 844831 — Machines, card clothing; parts and accessories. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is the carding machine itself under this code?
No, the carding machine is classified under HS code 844511. Code 844831 is only for the card clothing, which is a replaceable part or accessory.
Which countries are the top exporters of card clothing (HS 844831)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 844831 (the code used for card clothing) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($56M, 28% of world exports), Switzerland ($50M) and China ($36M). World exports came to about $201M, 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 card clothing (HS 844831)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 844831 (the code used for card clothing) in UN Comtrade data were China ($29M, 15% of world imports), Germany ($25M) and India ($17M). World imports came to about $189M, 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.
Is the HS code for Card clothing the same in all countries?
The base HS code 844831 for Card clothing is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for card clothing in Brazil?
In Brazil, card clothing (HS 844831) is classified under NCM 8448.31.00.