Product classification
HS code for Cotton hand towels: 6302.91
Toilet and kitchen linen, of cotton, excluding terry towelling or similar terry fabrics.
Classification of cotton hand towels under HS 6302.91
Cotton hand towels are classified under HS code 6302.91, which is situated within Chapter 63: "Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags." Heading 6302 is dedicated to bed linen, table linen, toilet linen, and kitchen linen. The subheading 6302.91 specifically identifies toilet and kitchen linen made of cotton, with the critical exclusion of those made from terry toweling or similar terry fabrics. To fall under this classification, the article must be "made up," a term defined in the HS Explanatory Notes as being cut to a specific shape, hemmed, or otherwise finished for immediate use. The distinction between toilet linen (intended for personal use like hand drying) and kitchen linen (intended for tasks like drying glassware or plates) is fundamental to this heading. Because these towels are not constructed with the looped pile characteristic of terry cloth, they are distinguished from the 6302.60 category. The material composition must be at least 50% cotton by weight to satisfy the requirements of this specific subheading. Furthermore, the classification excludes articles that are merely rectangular pieces of fabric not further worked than hemmed, if they are intended for industrial cleaning rather than domestic toilet or kitchen use. This code ensures that flat-weave cotton linens are distinguished from their more common terry-cloth counterparts.
- Covers
- Flat-weave cotton hand towels
- Cotton kitchen towels (non-terry)
- Cotton glass cloths for drying stemware
- Cotton face cloths (non-terry)
- Cotton tea towels
- Also under 6302.91
- Williams Sonoma kitchen towels
- Sur La Table dishcloths
- Crate & Barrel placemats
- IKEA cotton kitchen textiles
- DII Design Imports kitchen linen
Codes often confused with 6302.91
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is 6302.60, which covers toilet and kitchen linen of cotton terry toweling. If the towel has a looped pile surface, it must be classified under 6302.60. Another confusion occurs with 6307.10, which covers floorcloths and dishcloths intended for heavy cleaning.
Top exporters and importers of HS 630291 (the code used for cotton hand towels), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 630291 (the code used for cotton hand towels) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% 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 630291, not only cotton hand towels.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $139M 25% of world exports
- 2 China $93M 17% of world exports
- 3 Germany $49M 8.9% of world exports
World total: $557M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $144M 17% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $73M 8.7% of world imports
- 3 Germany $66M 7.9% of world imports
World total: $835M 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 cotton hand towels
Brazil classifies cotton hand towels under NCM 6302.91.00: HS 6302.91 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cotton hand towels
What is the HS code for Cotton hand towels?
The HS code for Cotton hand towels is 630291 (Toilet and kitchen linen; of cotton, excluding terry towelling or similar terry fabrics). The HS code for non-terry cotton hand towels is 6302.91.
How do I classify Cotton hand towels for customs?
Cotton hand towels is classified under HS code 630291 — Toilet and kitchen linen; of cotton, excluding terry towelling or similar terry fabrics. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the towel is made of terry cloth?
If the towel is made of cotton terry cloth (looped pile), it should be classified under HS code 6302.60.
Which countries are the top exporters of cotton hand towels (HS 630291)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 630291 (the code used for cotton hand towels) in UN Comtrade data were India ($139M, 25% of world exports), China ($93M) and Germany ($49M). World exports came to about $557M, 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 cotton hand towels (HS 630291)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 630291 (the code used for cotton hand towels) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($144M, 17% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($73M) and Germany ($66M). World imports came to about $835M, 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 Cotton hand towels the same in all countries?
The base HS code 630291 for Cotton hand towels 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 cotton hand towels in Brazil?
In Brazil, cotton hand towels (HS 630291) is classified under NCM 6302.91.00.