Product classification
HS code for Greasy shorn wool: 5101.11
Wool, (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn.
Classification of greasy shorn wool under HS 5101.11
Classification under HS code 5101.11 is determined by the specific state of the wool and the method by which it was harvested. Chapter 51 of the Harmonized System governs wool, fine or coarse animal hair, and horsehair yarn. Within this chapter, heading 5101 is dedicated to wool that has not been carded or combed. The specific subheading 5101.11 is reserved for wool that is both \"greasy\" and \"shorn.\" Greasy wool refers to wool as it is taken directly from the sheep, containing its natural lanolin (wool grease), suint (perspiration salts), and various types of vegetable matter or dirt. The term \"shorn\" indicates that the wool was harvested by shearing a live animal. This classification excludes wool that has been scoured, bleached, or dyed, as well as wool obtained from skins (pulled wool). The distinction is critical because the grease content significantly affects the weight and subsequent processing requirements of the fiber. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, wool is considered greasy when it has not been scoured, although it may have been fleece-washed. Fleece-washing is a process where the sheep is washed in cold water before being shorn, which removes some surface dirt but leaves the lanolin intact. This distinguishes it from scoured wool, which has undergone a more rigorous cleaning process using hot water, soap, or alkali. The greasy state is preferred by some manufacturers who wish to perform their own scouring to recover lanolin as a byproduct. In international trade, the yield of clean wool from a greasy batch is a major pricing factor. The classification also relies on the distinction between wool and fine animal hair; wool specifically refers to the fiber from sheep (Ovis aries).
- Covers
- Raw fleece from live sheep shearing
- Fleece-washed shorn wool
- Greasy wool in staples or locks
- Unprocessed shorn wool containing lanolin
- Also under 5101.11
- Australian Merino wool (raw)
- New Zealand Crossbred wool (greasy)
- South African Mohair (greasy)
- Patagonia (sources raw wool)
- Smartwool (sources raw wool)
Codes often confused with 5101.11
Common mistake. Greasy shorn wool is frequently confused with HS code 5101.19, which covers other greasy wool that is not shorn (such as pulled or slipe wool). It is also often misclassified under 5101.21, which is the code for shorn wool that has already been degreased or scoured. Another common error involves 5102, which is used for fine or coarse animal hair from animals other than sheep, such as goats or camels.
Top exporters and importers of HS 510111 (the code used for greasy shorn wool), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 510111 (the code used for greasy shorn wool) in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 72% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 83% 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 510111, not only greasy shorn wool.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Australia $1.6B 72% of world exports
- 2 South Africa $272M 12% of world exports
- 3 New Zealand $125M 5.8% of world exports
World total: $2.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $1.8B 83% of world imports
- 2 Italy $119M 5.4% of world imports
- 3 India $103M 4.7% of world imports
World total: $2.2B 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 codes for greasy shorn wool
Brazil splits HS 5101.11 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 5101.11.10Greasy shorn wool, 22.05–32.6 microns
- 5101.11.90Other greasy shorn wool
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about greasy shorn wool
What is the HS code for Greasy shorn wool?
The HS code for Greasy shorn wool is 510111 (Wool; (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn). The HS code for greasy shorn wool, not carded or combed, is 5101.11.
How do I classify Greasy shorn wool for customs?
Greasy shorn wool is classified under HS code 510111 — Wool; (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between shorn and pulled wool?
Shorn wool is cut from a live animal using shears, while pulled wool (classified under 5101.19) is removed from the skins of slaughtered animals using chemical or mechanical processes.
Which countries are the top exporters of greasy shorn wool (HS 510111)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 510111 (the code used for greasy shorn wool) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($1.6B, 72% of world exports), South Africa ($272M) and New Zealand ($125M). World exports came to about $2.2B, 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 greasy shorn wool (HS 510111)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 510111 (the code used for greasy shorn wool) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.8B, 83% of world imports), Italy ($119M) and India ($103M). World imports came to about $2.2B, 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 Greasy shorn wool the same in all countries?
The base HS code 510111 for Greasy 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 greasy shorn wool in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 510111 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for greasy shorn wool depends on the product's details: 5101.11.10 (Greasy shorn wool, 22.05–32.6 microns), 5101.11.90 (Other greasy shorn wool).