HS Code for Cotton lint

Cotton lint is classified under HS code 520100, which encompasses cotton that has not been carded or combed. This code represents the rawest form of cotton fiber after the ginning process has removed the seeds, husks, and other foreign matter. In the hierarchy of Chapter 52, which covers cotton and cotton products, 5201 is the starting point for raw fibers. The classification remains here as long as the fiber has not undergone the mechanical alignment processes of carding or combing, which would move the product to heading 5203. This code is vital for the global trade of raw commodities and is used by agricultural exporters to define bulk shipments of ginned cotton. The term "lint" specifically refers to the long fibers removed from the seed, as opposed to "linters," which are the shorter fibers remaining on the seed after the first ginning. Proper classification requires that the cotton has not been further processed into yarn or fabric, maintaining its status as a raw material. It is also distinct from cotton waste, which is generated during the spinning or weaving processes and is classified under heading 5202. The physical state of the cotton, typically compressed into large bales for shipping, does not change its classification under 520100, provided no chemical or mechanical combing has occurred.

Products Included

• Ginned raw cotton
• Cotton lint in compressed bales
• Raw cotton fibers with seeds removed
• Unprocessed cotton fiber for textile mills

Common Misclassification

Cotton lint is often confused with 520300, which covers cotton that has been carded or combed. It is also sometimes confused with 520299 (cotton waste). The key is the stage of processing: 520100 is post-ginning but pre-carding.

FAQ

What is the HS code for Cotton lint?

The HS code for raw cotton lint that has not been carded or combed is 520100.

Does 520100 include cotton with seeds?

While 520100 primarily covers ginned cotton, raw cotton still containing seeds is also classified here as it is the most basic form of the fiber before processing.