Product classification
HS code for scutched flax: 5301.21
Flax, broken or scutched, but not spun.
Classification of scutched flax under HS 5301.21
Scutched flax is classified under HS code 5301.21. Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is categorized in the Harmonized System based on the level of mechanical processing it has undergone. Heading 5301 covers flax in all forms, from raw straw to processed fibers and waste. Subheading 5301.21 specifically identifies flax that has been "broken or scutched." Scutching is a mechanical process that follows the retting of flax. During scutching, the flax straw is beaten or crushed to separate the long textile fibers from the woody part of the stem, known as shives. This process is essential for extracting the usable fiber from the plant material. The classification 5301.21 is used for the resulting long fibers that have been cleaned of most woody debris but have not yet been hackled (combed). This stage of processing is a critical transition point in the flax supply chain, moving the product from an agricultural state toward a textile-ready material. The code is distinguished from raw flax (5301.10) and more refined hackled flax (5301.29).
- Covers
- Scutched long flax fibers
- Broken flax straw
- Cleaned flax fiber (pre-hackling)
- Scutched flax in bundles
- 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. Scutched flax is often misclassified under 5301.10, which is reserved for raw or retted flax that has not yet been mechanically broken. It is also frequently confused with 5301.29, which covers flax that has been hackled or otherwise processed for spinning. Another common error involves 5301.30, which is the code for flax tow and waste; while scutching produces some waste, the primary long fiber output belongs in 5301.21.
Top exporters and importers of HS 530121 (the code used for scutched flax), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 530121 (the code used for scutched flax) 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 scutched flax.
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 scutched flax
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 scutched flax
What is the HS code for scutched flax?
The HS code for scutched flax is 530121 (Flax; broken or scutched, but not spun). The HS code for flax that has been broken or scutched, but not further processed, is 5301.21.
How do I classify scutched flax for customs?
scutched flax is classified under HS code 530121 — Flax; broken or scutched, but not spun. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 5301.10 and 5301.21?
5301.10 is for flax in its raw or retted state (straw), whereas 5301.21 is for flax that has undergone mechanical beating (scutching) to separate the fibers.
Which countries are the top exporters of scutched flax (HS 530121)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 530121 (the code used for scutched flax) 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 scutched flax (HS 530121)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 530121 (the code used for scutched flax) 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 scutched flax the same in all countries?
The base HS code 530121 for scutched 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 scutched flax in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 530121 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for scutched flax depends on the product's details: 5301.21.10 (Broken flax, not spun), 5301.21.20 (Scutched flax, not spun).