Product classification
HS code for Raw shorn wool: 5101.11
Wool, (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn.
Classification of raw shorn wool under HS 5101.11
Raw shorn wool is classified under HS code 5101.11. Chapter 51 deals with wool, fine or coarse animal hair, and horsehair yarn and woven fabric. Heading 5101 covers "Wool, not carded or combed." The subheading 5101.11 specifically identifies "Greasy, including fleece-washed wool" that is "Shorn." This classification is applied to wool that has been removed from live sheep by shearing and has not yet undergone the scouring, carding, or combing processes. The term "greasy" refers to wool that still contains its natural lanolin (wool grease) and has not been chemically cleaned or degreased. Fleece-washed wool, which has been washed on the sheep's back before shearing, is also included here. The distinction between "shorn" and "other" (such as wool pulled from the skin of a slaughtered animal) is a critical factor in determining the correct six-digit subheading. According to the General Rules for Interpretation (GRI), the product must be classified in its state at the time of crossing the border. Raw shorn wool is a primary agricultural commodity and is often traded in large bales. The classification excludes wool that has been carbonized (to remove vegetable matter) or wool that has been further processed into tops or rovings. Understanding this code is essential for textile manufacturers and agricultural exporters, as it distinguishes the most basic form of wool from processed fibers that have higher value-added components and different trade restrictions.
- Covers
- Greasy wool shorn from live sheep
- Fleece-washed shorn wool
- Raw wool in bales, not degreased
- Unprocessed shorn wool containing natural 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. Raw shorn wool is frequently misclassified under HS code 5101.19, which covers "other" greasy wool that is not shorn (such as pulled wool). Another common error is using HS code 5105.10 or 5105.29, which are for wool that has been carded or combed. Once the wool undergoes carding to align the fibers, it leaves heading 5101 entirely.
Top exporters and importers of HS 510111 (the code used for raw shorn wool), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 510111 (the code used for raw 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 raw 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 raw 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 raw shorn wool
What is the HS code for Raw shorn wool?
The HS code for Raw shorn wool is 510111 (Wool; (not carded or combed), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), shorn).
How do I classify Raw shorn wool for customs?
Raw 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 HS code for greasy shorn wool?
The HS code for greasy shorn wool that has not been carded or combed is 5101.11.
Does this code include wool that has been scoured?
No, scoured wool (wool that has been degreased but not carbonized) is classified under HS code 5101.21 if it is shorn, or 5101.29 if it is not shorn.
Which countries are the top exporters of raw shorn wool (HS 510111)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 510111 (the code used for raw 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 raw shorn wool (HS 510111)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 510111 (the code used for raw 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 Raw shorn wool the same in all countries?
The base HS code 510111 for Raw 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 raw shorn wool in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 510111 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for raw 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).