Product classification
HS code for Unsorted rags: 6310.90
Rags, used or new, scrap twine, cordage, rope and cables and worn out articles of twine, cordage, rope or cables, of textile materials, other than sorted.
Classification of unsorted rags under HS 6310.90
Unsorted rags are classified under HS code 6310.90 because they consist of textile materials that have not been categorized by material type, color, or condition. This code falls under Chapter 63, which covers other made-up textile articles, sets, and worn clothing. Specifically, heading 6310 is dedicated to rags, scrap twine, and worn-out articles of cordage or rope. The subheading 6310.90 is the residual category for items that have not undergone a sorting process. Sorting usually involves separating rags into specific categories such as cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers, or by their intended use, such as industrial wiping cloths. Because these materials are presented in bulk without such distinctions, they are classified as "other than sorted." The classification depends on the physical state of the goods at the time of import; if the rags are bundled randomly, they meet the criteria for 6310.90. The material must be scrap or waste textile, often used for industrial cleaning or fiber recovery.
- Covers
- Mixed textile waste in bulk
- Unsorted used clothing for fiber recovery
- Unsorted scrap twine and cordage
- Mixed industrial textile scraps
- Worn-out textile articles not sorted by material
- Also under 6310.90
- Mixed textile waste from garment factories
- unsorted municipal textile collections
- discarded fishing nets
- bulk bales of unsorted rags from donation centers
- landfill-bound textile waste
Codes often confused with 6310.90
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 6310.10, which is reserved for sorted rags. If the rags have been graded by material or size, they must be moved to 6310.10. Another common error is using HS code 6309.00, which covers worn clothing. However, 6309.00 requires the items to show appreciable signs of wear and be presented in a manner that suggests they are for resale as clothing. If the items are intended for industrial use or shredding, 6310.90 is more appropriate.
Top exporters and importers of HS 631090 (the code used for unsorted rags), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 631090 (the code used for unsorted rags) in UN Comtrade data was Pakistan, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 40% 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 631090, not only unsorted rags.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Pakistan $46M 21% of world exports
- 2 United States $26M 12% of world exports
- 3 India $14M 6.5% of world exports
World total: $220M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $157M 40% of world imports
- 2 Dominican Republic $49M 13% of world imports
- 3 United States $27M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $390M 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 unsorted rags
Brazil classifies unsorted rags under NCM 6310.90.00: HS 6310.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about unsorted rags
What is the HS code for Unsorted rags?
The HS code for Unsorted rags is 631090 (Rags; used or new, scrap twine, cordage, rope and cables and worn out articles of twine, cordage, rope or cables, of textile materials; other than sorted). The HS code for unsorted rags is 6310.90, which covers used or new rags and scrap textile materials that have not been sorted.
How do I classify Unsorted rags for customs?
Unsorted rags is classified under HS code 631090 — Rags; used or new, scrap twine, cordage, rope and cables and worn out articles of twine, cordage, rope or cables, of textile materials; other than sorted. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include new textile scraps?
Yes, HS code 6310.90 includes both used and new textile scraps, provided they are unsorted and consist of rags or scrap cordage.
Which countries are the top exporters of unsorted rags (HS 631090)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 631090 (the code used for unsorted rags) in UN Comtrade data were Pakistan ($46M, 21% of world exports), the United States ($26M) and India ($14M). World exports came to about $220M, 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 unsorted rags (HS 631090)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 631090 (the code used for unsorted rags) in UN Comtrade data were India ($157M, 40% of world imports), the Dominican Republic ($49M) and the United States ($27M). World imports came to about $390M, 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 Unsorted rags the same in all countries?
The base HS code 631090 for Unsorted 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 unsorted rags in Brazil?
In Brazil, unsorted rags (HS 631090) is classified under NCM 6310.90.00.