Product classification
HS code for flax waste: 5301.30
Flax, tow and waste, including yarn waste and garnetted stock.
Classification of flax waste under HS 5301.30
Flax waste, including tow and garnetted stock, is classified under HS code 5301.30. This classification falls under heading 5301, which covers flax in various forms. Subheading 5301.30 is specifically designed for the by-products of flax processing. During the scutching and hackling of flax fibers, shorter, coarser fibers are separated from the long "line" fibers; these shorter fibers are known as tow. Additionally, this code covers yarn waste (tangled threads from spinning or weaving) and garnetted stock (fibers recovered from rags or scraps). The classification is based on the fact that these materials are secondary products or residues that, while still having textile value, are not the primary long fibers used for high-end linen. They are often used for lower-grade yarns, paper manufacturing, or non-woven industrial applications. Proper classification under 5301.30 is essential for distinguishing between primary raw materials and industrial by-products.
- Covers
- Flax tow (short fibers from scutching)
- Flax yarn waste (spinning residues)
- Garnetted flax stock (recovered from textile scraps)
- Flax noils (short fibers from combing)
- Flax fiber fragments from industrial cleaning
- Also under 5301.30
- Flax tow for insulation panels
- flax waste for paper manufacturing
- garnetted flax for automotive composites
- flax shives for animal bedding
Codes often confused with 5301.30
Common mistake. Flax waste is frequently misclassified as raw flax fiber (5301.10). However, 5301.10 is for the whole plant or retted fibers, whereas 5301.30 is for the residues. Another common error is classifying flax tow under 5301.29 (hackled flax). While tow is produced during hackling, 5301.29 is reserved for the high-quality long fibers resulting from the process, not the waste. Finally, if the waste is processed into a non-woven felt, it may move to 5602.
Top exporters and importers of HS 530130 (the code used for flax waste), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 530130 (the code used for flax waste) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 60% 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 530130, not only flax waste.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $140M 46% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $81M 27% of world exports
- 3 Belarus* ~$28M 9.4% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $302M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $234M 60% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $75M 19% of world imports
- 3 France $31M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $392M 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 flax waste
Brazil classifies flax waste under NCM 5301.30.00: HS 5301.30 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about flax waste
What is the HS code for flax waste?
The HS code for flax waste is 530130 (Flax; tow and waste, including yarn waste and garnetted stock). The HS code for flax waste, including tow and garnetted stock, is 5301.30.
How do I classify flax waste for customs?
flax waste is classified under HS code 530130 — Flax; tow and waste, including yarn waste and garnetted stock. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can flax tow be used for spinning?
Yes, flax tow classified under 5301.30 can be spun into coarser yarns, but it is still classified as waste because it is a by-product of the primary fiber extraction process.
Which countries are the top exporters of flax waste (HS 530130)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 530130 (the code used for flax waste) in UN Comtrade data were France ($140M, 46% of world exports), Belgium ($81M) and Belarus (about $28M). World exports came to about $302M, 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 waste (HS 530130)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 530130 (the code used for flax waste) in UN Comtrade data were China ($234M, 60% of world imports), Belgium ($75M) and France ($31M). World imports came to about $392M, 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 waste the same in all countries?
The base HS code 530130 for flax 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 flax waste in Brazil?
In Brazil, flax waste (HS 530130) is classified under NCM 5301.30.00.