Product classification
HS code for Cotton yarn waste: 5202.10
Cotton, yarn waste (including thread waste).
Classification of cotton yarn waste under HS 5202.10
Cotton yarn waste is classified under HS code 5202.10. This code specifically covers waste generated during the spinning, doubling, or twisting of cotton fibers, as well as thread waste. Classification here is determined by the nature of the material as a byproduct of the textile manufacturing process. Unlike raw cotton or processed fibers intended for spinning, yarn waste consists of tangled or broken lengths of yarn that are no longer suitable for their original purpose but may be recycled for other uses like padding, wiping rags, or paper manufacturing. The Harmonized System places this under Chapter 52, which deals with cotton, but separates waste from usable fibers and finished yarns to reflect its lower commercial value and different industrial applications. The category 5202.10 is distinct from other types of cotton waste because it specifically identifies material that has already undergone the spinning process to become yarn or thread, rather than being raw fiber waste from the ginning or carding stages. This distinction is important because yarn waste often contains a higher degree of twist and processing than other waste types. It is also important to note that this code includes waste from sewing thread production. If the waste has been mechanically pulled apart to return it to a fibrous state, it would instead be classified as garnetted stock. The classification ensures that secondary raw materials are tracked separately from primary textile inputs, which is vital for environmental reporting and trade statistics. Proper identification of yarn waste is necessary for customs to apply the correct environmental regulations and to distinguish it from higher-value raw cotton fibers.
- Covers
- Cotton thread waste
- Tangled cotton yarn ends
- Spinning waste from cotton mills
- Broken cotton yarn fragments
- Waste from cotton sewing thread production
- Also under 5202.10
- Textile mill yarn offcuts
- garment factory thread trimmings
- recycled cotton mop yarn
- industrial wiping rags (from yarn waste)
Codes often confused with 5202.10
Common mistake. Frequently confused with 5202.91 (garnetted stock) or 5202.99 (other cotton waste). Garnetted stock has been mechanically processed back into a fibrous state, whereas 5202.10 refers specifically to waste that still retains its yarn or thread structure. It is also sometimes confused with 5201.00 (raw cotton) if the waste is very clean.
Top exporters and importers of HS 520210 (the code used for cotton yarn waste), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 520210 (the code used for cotton yarn waste) in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 20% of world imports. Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 61% of its exports here ($18M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher. Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 79% of its imports here ($13M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 520210, not only cotton yarn waste.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Türkiye $13M 27% of world exports
- 2 Bangladesh* ~$6.9M 14% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Uzbekistan* ~$5.2M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 61% of its exports here ($18M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $49M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $9.2M 20% of world imports
- 2 Pakistan $8.6M 19% of world imports
- 3 Türkiye $6.5M 14% of world imports
Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 79% of its imports here ($13M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $45M 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 cotton yarn waste
Brazil classifies cotton yarn waste under NCM 5202.10.00: HS 5202.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cotton yarn waste
What is the HS code for Cotton yarn waste?
The HS code for Cotton yarn waste is 520210 (Cotton; yarn waste (including thread waste)). The HS code for cotton yarn waste, including thread waste, is 5202.10.
How do I classify Cotton yarn waste for customs?
Cotton yarn waste is classified under HS code 520210 — Cotton; yarn waste (including thread waste). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is garnetted stock the same as yarn waste?
No, garnetted stock is classified under 5202.91 and refers to waste that has been mechanically torn apart into fibers, whereas 5202.10 is for waste still in yarn or thread form.
Which countries are the top exporters of cotton yarn waste (HS 520210)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 520210 (the code used for cotton yarn waste) in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($13M, 27% of world exports), Bangladesh (about $6.9M) and Uzbekistan (about $5.2M). World exports came to about $49M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 61% of its exports here ($18M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of cotton yarn waste (HS 520210)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 520210 (the code used for cotton yarn waste) in UN Comtrade data were India ($9.2M, 20% of world imports), Pakistan ($8.6M) and Türkiye ($6.5M). World imports came to about $45M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 79% of its imports here ($13M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Is the HS code for Cotton yarn waste the same in all countries?
The base HS code 520210 for Cotton yarn waste 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 yarn waste in Brazil?
In Brazil, cotton yarn waste (HS 520210) is classified under NCM 5202.10.00.