Product classification
HS code for flax fiber: 5301.10
Flax, raw or retted, but not spun.
Classification of flax fiber under HS 5301.10
Flax fiber in its raw or retted state is classified under HS code 5301.10. This code is part of the broader heading 5301, which covers flax, raw or processed but not spun. The classification 5301.10 specifically targets the earliest stages of flax production. "Raw" flax refers to the plant (Linum usitatissimum) after harvesting, while "retted" flax refers to fibers that have undergone a moisture-based process to dissolve the natural pectins binding the fibers to the woody stem. This stage is critical because the fibers have not yet been broken, scutched, or combed (which would move them to 5301.21 or 5301.29). Classification under 5301.10 is based on the principle that the material is a primary agricultural product rather than a manufactured textile yarn. It serves as the raw material for the linen industry, and its classification ensures accurate tracking of the global trade in raw textile fibers.
- Covers
- Raw flax straw (harvested stalks)
- Water-retted flax fibers
- Dew-retted flax stalks
- Flax fibers in bundles (not yet scutched)
- Dried flax plants for fiber extraction
- Also under 5301.10
- Linum usitatissimum (botanical name)
- French dew-retted flax
- Belgian water-retted flax
- Canadian flax straw
Codes often confused with 5301.10
Common mistake. Flax fiber is often misclassified under 5301.21 or 5301.29. These codes are for flax that has been broken, scutched, or hackled (combed). Scutching is the mechanical process of removing the woody part of the stem, and once this occurs, the fiber is no longer "raw or retted" under 5301.10. Another error is confusing raw flax with flax waste (5301.30), which consists of short fibers or tangled masses unsuitable for high-quality spinning.
Top exporters and importers of HS 530110 (the code used for flax fiber), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 530110 (the code used for flax fiber) in UN Comtrade data was Egypt, with 80% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 69% 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 530110, not only flax fiber.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Egypt $43M 80% of world exports
- 2 France $4.2M 7.9% of world exports
- 3 India $2.1M 3.9% of world exports
World total: $53M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Belgium $26M 69% of world imports
- 2 Egypt $2.9M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 Italy $2.1M 5.4% of world imports
World total: $38M 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 flax fiber
Brazil classifies flax fiber under NCM 5301.10.00: HS 5301.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about flax fiber
What is the HS code for flax fiber?
The HS code for flax fiber is 530110 (Flax; raw or retted, but not spun).
How do I classify flax fiber for customs?
flax fiber is classified under HS code 530110 — Flax; raw or retted, but not spun. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for raw flax fiber?
The HS code for raw or retted flax fiber is 5301.10.
What does "retted" mean in this classification?
Retting is a fermentation process using moisture (water or dew) to separate the flax fibers from the woody core of the plant stalk.
Which countries are the top exporters of flax fiber (HS 530110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 530110 (the code used for flax fiber) in UN Comtrade data were Egypt ($43M, 80% of world exports), France ($4.2M) and India ($2.1M). World exports came to about $53M, 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 flax fiber (HS 530110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 530110 (the code used for flax fiber) in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($26M, 69% of world imports), Egypt ($2.9M) and Italy ($2.1M). World imports came to about $38M, 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 flax fiber the same in all countries?
The base HS code 530110 for flax fiber 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 flax fiber in Brazil?
In Brazil, flax fiber (HS 530110) is classified under NCM 5301.10.00.