Product classification
HS code for raw bast fiber: 5303.10
Jute and other textile bast fibres, raw or retted, but not spun, (excluding flax, hemp (cannabis sativa L.), and ramie).
Classification of raw bast fiber under HS 5303.10
Raw bast fiber, specifically jute and other similar textile bast fibers, is classified under HS code 5303.10. Bast fibers are obtained from the inner bark or phloem of certain dicotyledonous plants. This specific code is reserved for fibers that are either in their raw state or have undergone the retting process. Retting is a biological or chemical treatment where moisture and microorganisms are used to dissolve the cellular tissues and pectins that surround the fiber bundles, allowing them to be separated from the woody core of the stem. HS code 5303.10 excludes other major bast fibers like flax (5301), hemp (5302), and ramie (5305). The primary fibers falling under this code are jute (Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius), kenaf, urena, and sunn hemp. The classification is strictly limited to the raw or retted stage; once the fiber is further processed by carding or combing, it moves to subheading 5303.90. This distinction is vital for customs purposes as it differentiates between primary agricultural output and semi-processed industrial materials.
- Covers
- Raw jute fibers
- Retted jute stalks
- Raw kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus)
- Raw urena (Congo jute)
- Raw sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea)
- Also under 5303.10
- Jute from Bangladesh
- kenaf from India
- raw jute for hessian cloth
- retted jute for sacks
- raw sisal for ropes
Codes often confused with 5303.10
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 5301.10 (raw flax) and 5302.10 (raw hemp). While these are also bast fibers, the HS nomenclature provides specific headings for them. Additionally, importers often confuse 5303.10 with 5303.90; the latter is for jute that has been further worked (e.g., carded or combed) but not spun. If the fiber has been spun into yarn, it must be classified under 5307.10 or 5307.20.
Top exporters and importers of HS 530310 (the code used for raw bast fiber), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 530310 (the code used for raw bast fiber) in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 64% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 46% 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 530310, not only raw bast fiber.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Bangladesh* ~$80M 64% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Tanzania $22M 18% of world exports
- 3 India $21M 16% of world exports
World total: $126M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $54M 46% of world imports
- 2 Nepal* ~$21M 18% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Pakistan $10M 8.7% of world imports
World total: $118M 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 codes for raw bast fiber
Brazil splits HS 5303.10 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 5303.10.10Jute, raw or retted
- 5303.10.90Other raw/retted bast fibre, not flax/hemp/ramie
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about raw bast fiber
What is the HS code for raw bast fiber?
The HS code for raw bast fiber is 530310 (Jute and other textile bast fibres; raw or retted, but not spun, (excluding flax, hemp (cannabis sativa L.), and ramie)). The HS code for raw or retted jute and other textile bast fibers (excluding flax, hemp, and ramie) is 5303.10.
How do I classify raw bast fiber for customs?
raw bast fiber is classified under HS code 530310 — Jute and other textile bast fibres; raw or retted, but not spun, (excluding flax, hemp (cannabis sativa L.), and ramie). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include processed jute?
No, 5303.10 is only for raw or retted fibers. Processed jute that has been carded or combed is classified under 5303.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of raw bast fiber (HS 530310)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 530310 (the code used for raw bast fiber) in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $80M, 64% of world exports), Tanzania ($22M) and India ($21M). World exports came to about $126M, 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 raw bast fiber (HS 530310)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 530310 (the code used for raw bast fiber) in UN Comtrade data were India ($54M, 46% of world imports), Nepal (about $21M) and Pakistan ($10M). World imports came to about $118M, 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 raw bast fiber the same in all countries?
The base HS code 530310 for raw bast 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 raw bast fiber in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 530310 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for raw bast fiber depends on the product's details: 5303.10.10 (Jute, raw or retted), 5303.10.90 (Other raw/retted bast fibre, not flax/hemp/ramie).