Product classification
HS code for Unprocessed cotton: 5201.00
Cotton, not carded or combed.
Classification of unprocessed cotton under HS 5201.00
Unprocessed cotton, specifically cotton that has not been carded or combed, is classified under HS code 5201.00. This code is situated in Chapter 52, which covers cotton in all its forms, from raw fiber to woven fabrics. Heading 5201 is the primary classification for raw cotton fibers that have been harvested and ginned (to remove seeds and impurities) but have not yet been subjected to the carding or combing processes required for textile manufacturing. This classification includes cotton in bales or similar bulk packaging. The absence of mechanical alignment of the fibers is the key factor in assigning this code. Even after ginning, the cotton is considered 'unprocessed' in the context of textile spinning because the fibers are still in a tangled, random state. HS code 5201.00 is a broad category that includes various grades of raw cotton, such as American Upland, Pima, or Egyptian cotton, provided they remain in their unaligned state. It is typically traded in large, compressed bales. This classification is fundamental for global agricultural trade and is often subject to specific quotas, subsidies, or phytosanitary regulations depending on the country of origin.
- Covers
- Ginned cotton in compressed bales
- Raw cotton fibers after seed removal
- Cleaned but uncarded cotton
- Cotton linters (if not specifically excluded)
- Raw cotton in bulk containers
- Also under 5201.00
- US Upland cotton bales
- Indian Shankar-6 cotton
- Brazilian Acala cotton
- Australian cotton lint
- West African cotton
Codes often confused with 5201.00
Common mistake. HS code 5201.00 is often confused with 5202.99, which covers cotton waste, including yarn waste and garnetted stock. It is also distinct from 5203.00, which is used for cotton that has undergone carding or combing. Importers must also distinguish it from 1404.20, which covers cotton linters in certain jurisdictions if they are not intended for textile use.
Top exporters and importers of HS 520100 (the code used for unprocessed cotton), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 520100 (the code used for unprocessed cotton) in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 17% of world imports. Bangladesh did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 19% of its imports here ($486M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 520100, not only unprocessed cotton.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $4.9B 32% of world exports
- 2 United States $4.8B 32% of world exports
- 3 Australia $2.2B 15% of world exports
World total: $15.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Vietnam* ~$2.5B 17% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Bangladesh* ~$2.1B 14% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 China $1.9B 13% of world imports
Bangladesh did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 19% of its imports here ($486M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $14.5B 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 unprocessed cotton
Brazil splits HS 5201.00 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 5201.00.10Cotton not ginned, not carded or combed
- 5201.00.20Cotton merely ginned, not carded or combed
- 5201.00.90Other cotton, not carded or combed
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about unprocessed cotton
What is the HS code for Unprocessed cotton?
The HS code for Unprocessed cotton is 520100 (Cotton; not carded or combed). The HS code for unprocessed cotton (not carded or combed) is 5201.00.
How do I classify Unprocessed cotton for customs?
Unprocessed cotton is classified under HS code 520100 — Cotton; not carded or combed. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is ginned cotton considered unprocessed?
Yes, ginned cotton is classified under 5201.00 as long as it has not been further processed by carding or combing machines.
Which countries are the top exporters of unprocessed cotton (HS 520100)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 520100 (the code used for unprocessed cotton) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($4.9B, 32% of world exports), the United States ($4.8B) and Australia ($2.2B). World exports came to about $15.2B, 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 unprocessed cotton (HS 520100)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 520100 (the code used for unprocessed cotton) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $2.5B, 17% of world imports), Bangladesh (about $2.1B) and China ($1.9B). World imports came to about $14.5B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Bangladesh did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 19% of its imports here ($486M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Is the HS code for Unprocessed cotton the same in all countries?
The base HS code 520100 for Unprocessed cotton 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 unprocessed cotton in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 520100 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for unprocessed cotton depends on the product's details: 5201.00.10 (Cotton not ginned, not carded or combed), 5201.00.20 (Cotton merely ginned, not carded or combed), 5201.00.90 (Other cotton, not carded or combed).