Product classification
HS code for Sorted rags: 6310.10
Rags, used or new, scrap twine, cordage, rope and cables and worn out articles of twine, cordage, rope or cables, of textile materials, sorted.
Classification of sorted rags under HS 6310.10
Sorted rags are classified under HS code 6310.10. Chapter 63 of the Harmonized System covers other made-up textile articles, worn clothing, and rags. Heading 6310 specifically deals with used or new rags, scrap twine, cordage, rope, and cables. The distinction for 6310.10 lies in the sorted nature of the goods. Sorting implies that the rags have been categorized based on specific criteria, such as textile fiber type (e.g., all cotton, all synthetic), color, or size, or that they have been processed into specific shapes for industrial use. This classification is essential for distinguishing industrial raw materials from general waste or second-hand clothing. Under GRI 1, the specific description in the heading and subheadings takes precedence. If the rags were not sorted, they would be classified under 6310.90. The sorting process adds value and determines the end-use in industries such as paper manufacturing, automotive insulation, or industrial cleaning. To be classified here, the items must generally show signs of wear or be scraps that are no longer usable as garments or finished textile products.
- Covers
- Sorted cotton rags for industrial cleaning
- Sorted synthetic fiber textile scrap
- Sorted new textile cuttings from garment manufacturing
- Sorted scrap cordage and twine
- Also under 6310.10
- Kimberly-Clark WypAll Wipers (if made from sorted rags)
- Tork Industrial Wipes
- recycled cotton fiber bales
- sorted textile waste for shoddy production
- automotive wiping cloths
Codes often confused with 6310.10
Common mistake. Sorted rags are often misclassified under 6310.90, which is the code for unsorted rags. They are also frequently confused with 6309.00, which covers worn clothing. The key difference is that 6309.00 is for articles that are still wearable, whereas 6310.10 is for articles that are considered scrap or rags. Confusion also occurs with textile waste codes in headings 5202 or 5505, which refer to fiber-level waste rather than fabric-level rags.
Top exporters and importers of HS 631010 (the code used for sorted rags), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 631010 (the code used for sorted rags) in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 28% 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 631010, not only sorted rags.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Bangladesh* ~$113M 33% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Netherlands $28M 8.1% of world exports
- 3 China $24M 7.1% of world exports
World total: $339M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $112M 28% of world imports
- 2 United States $80M 20% of world imports
- 3 Poland $26M 6.3% of world imports
World total: $405M 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 code for sorted rags
Brazil classifies sorted rags under NCM 6310.10.00: HS 6310.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about sorted rags
What is the HS code for Sorted rags?
The HS code for Sorted rags is 631010 (Rags; used or new, scrap twine, cordage, rope and cables and worn out articles of twine, cordage, rope or cables, of textile materials; sorted). The HS code for sorted rags of textile materials is 6310.10.
How do I classify Sorted rags for customs?
Sorted rags is classified under HS code 631010 — Rags; used or new, scrap twine, cordage, rope and cables and worn out articles of twine, cordage, rope or cables, of textile materials; sorted. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What qualifies as a sorted rag?
A rag is considered sorted if it has been categorized by material, color, or size, or if it has been specifically prepared for industrial use as a wiper or raw material.
Which countries are the top exporters of sorted rags (HS 631010)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 631010 (the code used for sorted rags) in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $113M, 33% of world exports), the Netherlands ($28M) and China ($24M). World exports came to about $339M, 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 sorted rags (HS 631010)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 631010 (the code used for sorted rags) in UN Comtrade data were India ($112M, 28% of world imports), the United States ($80M) and Poland ($26M). World imports came to about $405M, 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 Sorted rags the same in all countries?
The base HS code 631010 for Sorted rags 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 sorted rags in Brazil?
In Brazil, sorted rags (HS 631010) is classified under NCM 6310.10.00.