Product classification
HS code for Carded cotton: 5203.00
Cotton, carded or combed.
Classification of carded cotton under HS 5203.00
Carded cotton falls under HS code 5203.00. This heading is unique because it covers cotton that has been carded or combed but not yet spun into yarn. The process of carding involves disentangling the cotton fibers and removing impurities like leaf fragments or dust. Combing is a further refinement that removes shorter fibers (noils) and aligns the remaining long fibers in a parallel fashion. This material is typically presented in the form of slivers, which are thick, loose ropes of fiber, or as "tops" in the case of combed cotton. Proper classification under 5203.00 is vital because it distinguishes prepared fiber from raw cotton (5201) and from finished yarn (5205 or 5206). The transition to 5203.00 occurs the moment the cotton is subjected to the mechanical carding engine, which prepares the lint for the spinning frame.
- Covers
- Carded cotton slivers
- Combed cotton tops
- Cotton laps for spinning
- Cotton rovings
- Prepared cotton fiber for industrial use
- Also under 5203.00
- Uster Technologies (testing equipment for cotton quality)
- Cotton Incorporated (promotes cotton use)
- Cargill (cotton trading)
- Olam International (cotton trading)
Codes often confused with 5203.00
Common mistake. Carded cotton is frequently misclassified as HS code 5201.00, which is only for raw cotton (even if ginned). It is also confused with HS code 5202.99, which covers cotton waste. Another common error is classifying it under 5601.21, which is for cotton wadding used for medical or cosmetic purposes. Unlike wadding, carded cotton under 5203.00 is specifically an intermediate product for the textile spinning industry.
Top exporters and importers of HS 520300 (the code used for carded cotton), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 520300 (the code used for carded cotton) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 48% 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 520300, not only carded cotton.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $75M 40% of world exports
- 2 Indonesia $24M 13% of world exports
- 3 Tanzania $10M 5.5% of world exports
World total: $187M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Vietnam* ~$95M 48% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 France $12M 5.9% of world imports
- 3 Poland $11M 5.4% of world imports
World total: $197M 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 carded cotton
Brazil classifies carded cotton under NCM 5203.00.00: HS 5203.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about carded cotton
What is the HS code for Carded cotton?
The HS code for Carded cotton is 520300 (Cotton; carded or combed). The HS code for cotton that has been carded or combed is 5203.00.
How do I classify Carded cotton for customs?
Carded cotton is classified under HS code 520300 — Cotton; carded or combed. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is ginned cotton the same as carded cotton?
No, ginned cotton (the process of separating seeds from fiber) is classified under 5201.00. Carding is a subsequent mechanical process that untangles the fibers, which moves the product to 5203.00.
Which countries are the top exporters of carded cotton (HS 520300)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 520300 (the code used for carded cotton) in UN Comtrade data were India ($75M, 40% of world exports), Indonesia ($24M) and Tanzania ($10M). World exports came to about $187M, 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 carded cotton (HS 520300)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 520300 (the code used for carded cotton) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $95M, 48% of world imports), France ($12M) and Poland ($11M). World imports came to about $197M, 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 Carded cotton the same in all countries?
The base HS code 520300 for Carded cotton 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 carded cotton in Brazil?
In Brazil, carded cotton (HS 520300) is classified under NCM 5203.00.00.