Product classification
HS code for Degreased shorn wool: 5101.21
Wool, (not carded or combed), degreased, (not carbonised), shorn.
Classification of degreased shorn wool under HS 5101.21
Degreased shorn wool is classified under HS code 5101.21. This classification is found in Chapter 51, which covers wool, fine or coarse animal hair, and related yarns. Heading 5101 is dedicated to wool that has not been carded or combed. The classification of wool in the Harmonized System is highly structured, moving from the rawest state to more processed states. Subheading 5101.21 specifically identifies wool that has undergone a degreasing or scouring process but has not yet been carbonized. Furthermore, it must be "shorn" wool, meaning it was harvested by shearing live sheep. Degreasing is the industrial process of removing wool grease (lanolin), suint (perspiration salts), and dirt, typically by washing the wool in a series of bowls containing hot water, detergent, and alkali, or by using organic solvents. This process is a necessary step before the wool can be further processed into yarn or fabric. The classification relies on the physical state (degreased), the method of harvest (shorn), and the absence of further chemical treatment (not carbonized).
- Covers
- Scoured shorn wool
- Washed shorn wool (not carbonized)
- Degreased fleece wool
- Solvent-cleaned shorn wool
- Also under 5101.21
- Australian Merino wool
- New Zealand Strong Wool
- South African Cape Wool
- Patagonia (for sourcing)
- Zegna (for sourcing)
Codes often confused with 5101.21
Common mistake. Degreased shorn wool is often confused with HS code 5101.11, which is for greasy shorn wool (wool that has not been washed). It is also frequently misclassified under 5101.30, which is for carbonized wool. Carbonization is a process using acid to remove vegetable matter, and even if the wool is degreased, if it has been carbonized, 5101.30 takes precedence. Additionally, it may be confused with 5101.29, which covers degreased wool that is not shorn (such as pulled or skin wool).
Top exporters and importers of HS 510121 (the code used for degreased shorn wool), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 510121 (the code used for degreased shorn wool) in UN Comtrade data was New Zealand, with 51% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 27% 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 510121, not only degreased shorn wool.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 New Zealand $155M 51% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $35M 12% of world exports
- 3 Uruguay $23M 7.7% of world exports
World total: $306M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $80M 27% of world imports
- 2 Lithuania $32M 11% of world imports
- 3 India $30M 10% of world imports
World total: $296M 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 degreased shorn wool
Brazil classifies degreased shorn wool under NCM 5101.21.00: HS 5101.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about degreased shorn wool
What is the HS code for Degreased shorn wool?
The HS code for Degreased shorn wool is 510121 (Wool; (not carded or combed), degreased, (not carbonised), shorn). The specific HS code for degreased, non-carbonized, shorn wool is 5101.21.
How do I classify Degreased shorn wool for customs?
Degreased shorn wool is classified under HS code 510121 — Wool; (not carded or combed), degreased, (not carbonised), shorn. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 5101.21 and 5101.30?
5101.21 is for wool that is only degreased, while 5101.30 is for wool that has undergone carbonization to remove vegetable impurities.
Which countries are the top exporters of degreased shorn wool (HS 510121)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 510121 (the code used for degreased shorn wool) in UN Comtrade data were New Zealand ($155M, 51% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($35M) and Uruguay ($23M). World exports came to about $306M, 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 degreased shorn wool (HS 510121)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 510121 (the code used for degreased shorn wool) in UN Comtrade data were China ($80M, 27% of world imports), Lithuania ($32M) and India ($30M). World imports came to about $296M, 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 Degreased shorn wool the same in all countries?
The base HS code 510121 for Degreased shorn wool 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 degreased shorn wool in Brazil?
In Brazil, degreased shorn wool (HS 510121) is classified under NCM 5101.21.00.