Product classification
HS code for processed flax fiber: 5301.21
Flax, broken or scutched, but not spun.
Classification of processed flax fiber under HS 5301.21
HS code 5301.21 is designated for flax fibers that have undergone specific mechanical processing steps but have not yet reached the stage of being spun into yarn. The two primary processes mentioned in the HS description are breaking and scutching. Breaking is the initial mechanical step where the retted flax straw is passed through fluted rollers to break the woody inner core, known as the shive, into small fragments. Scutching follows this, where the broken straw is subjected to a beating or scraping action to separate the valuable long fibers from the broken shives. This code represents an intermediate stage of production. It is distinct from raw flax (5301.10), which is either pulled from the ground or retted (soaked to loosen fibers) but not yet mechanically cleaned. The fibers classified under 5301.21 are generally clean but remain in a relatively coarse state. They have not yet undergone hackling or combing, which are the processes used to align the fibers and remove shorter tow fibers to prepare them for fine spinning. This distinction is crucial for the textile industry, as the value and intended use of the fiber change significantly at each stage of processing.
- Covers
- Scutched flax fibers
- Broken flax straw (mechanically processed)
- Cleaned flax fiber ready for hackling
- Flax fiber separated from the shive but not spun
- Also under 5301.21
- Scutched flax from Normandy
- flax fiber for paper pulp
- flax for non-woven geotextiles
- flax for insulation batting
Codes often confused with 5301.21
Common mistake. Processed flax fiber is frequently misclassified under HS code 5301.10 (raw or retted flax) or 5301.29 (flax that has been hackled or otherwise further processed). It is also sometimes confused with flax yarn under heading 5306, which applies only once the fiber has been spun.
Top exporters and importers of HS 530121 (the code used for processed flax fiber), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 530121 (the code used for processed flax fiber) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 63% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 72% 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 530121, not only processed flax fiber.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $611M 63% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $325M 33% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $16M 1.7% of world exports
World total: $974M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $888M 72% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $148M 12% of world imports
- 3 India $119M 9.6% of world imports
World total: $1.2B 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 processed flax fiber
Brazil splits HS 5301.21 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 5301.21.10Broken flax, not spun
- 5301.21.20Scutched flax, not spun
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about processed flax fiber
What is the HS code for processed flax fiber?
The HS code for processed flax fiber is 530121 (Flax; broken or scutched, but not spun). The HS code for flax that is broken or scutched but not spun is 5301.21.
How do I classify processed flax fiber for customs?
processed flax fiber is classified under HS code 530121 — Flax; broken or scutched, but not spun. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What does scutched mean in textile classification?
Scutched refers to the mechanical process of beating the flax straw to separate the textile fibers from the woody parts of the plant.
Which countries are the top exporters of processed flax fiber (HS 530121)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 530121 (the code used for processed flax fiber) in UN Comtrade data were France ($611M, 63% of world exports), Belgium ($325M) and the Netherlands ($16M). World exports came to about $974M, 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 processed flax fiber (HS 530121)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 530121 (the code used for processed flax fiber) in UN Comtrade data were China ($888M, 72% of world imports), Belgium ($148M) and India ($119M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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 processed flax fiber the same in all countries?
The base HS code 530121 for processed 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 processed flax fiber in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 530121 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for processed flax fiber depends on the product's details: 5301.21.10 (Broken flax, not spun), 5301.21.20 (Scutched flax, not spun).