Product classification
HS code for raw flax: 5301.10
Flax, raw or retted, but not spun.
Classification of raw flax under HS 5301.10
The classification of raw flax under HS code 530110 is strictly governed by the General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System. This specific subheading is reserved for flax (Linum usitatissimum) that remains in its most primitive state following harvest. The primary criteria for this classification are that the fibers must be either raw or retted. Retting is a biological or chemical process used to separate the fiber from the woody core of the flax stalk by decomposing the pectin that binds them. Because the material has not been broken, scutched, hackled, or otherwise processed for spinning, it falls under this specific heading. The classification ensures that primary agricultural products are distinguished from semi-processed textile fibers. It is essential for customs authorities to verify that no mechanical processing beyond retting has occurred, as even minor mechanical separation can shift the classification to a different subheading within heading 5301. This code serves as the baseline for the flax industry, tracking the global trade of the raw material before it enters the manufacturing pipeline for linen production.
- Covers
- Raw flax stalks, harvested and dried
- Retted flax (water-retted or dew-retted)
- Flax straw in its natural state
- Unprocessed flax fibers still attached to the woody core
- 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. Raw flax is frequently confused with HS code 530121, which covers flax that has been broken or scutched. Scutching is a mechanical process that removes the woody part of the stalk, which moves the product beyond the "raw" definition of 530110. Additionally, 530129 is often incorrectly used; this code is for hackled or otherwise processed flax fibers ready for spinning. Importers must distinguish between the biological process of retting and the mechanical process of scutching to avoid tariff errors.
Top exporters and importers of HS 530110 (the code used for raw flax), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 530110 (the code used for raw flax) 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 raw flax.
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 raw flax
Brazil classifies raw flax 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 raw flax
What is the HS code for raw flax?
The HS code for raw flax is 530110 (Flax; raw or retted, but not spun). The HS code for raw or retted flax, provided it has not been spun or mechanically processed beyond retting, is 530110.
How do I classify raw flax for customs?
raw flax is classified under HS code 530110 — Flax; raw or retted, but not spun. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does 530110 include flax waste?
No, flax waste, including tow and yarn waste, is classified under HS code 530130, as it represents the byproduct of processing rather than the raw fiber itself.
Which countries are the top exporters of raw flax (HS 530110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 530110 (the code used for raw flax) 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 raw flax (HS 530110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 530110 (the code used for raw flax) 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 raw flax the same in all countries?
The base HS code 530110 for raw flax 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 flax in Brazil?
In Brazil, raw flax (HS 530110) is classified under NCM 5301.10.00.