HS Code 5201Cotton; not carded or combed
1 six-digit code · Heading 1 of 12 in Chapter 52 · World Customs Organization Harmonized System
HS code 5201 is the customs heading for raw cotton, the fibre before any cleaning or spinning. This page shows what fits here, what does not, and where to look for the companies that trade it.
Heading 5201does not subdivide further in the WCO nomenclature: goods answering to “Cotton; not carded or combed” classify at the single six-digit code 520100. The heading is number 1 of 12 in Chapter 52, Cotton, which runs to 124 six-digit codes in all.
Six-digit codes under heading 5201
| HS Code | Import–export description |
|---|---|
| 520100 | Cotton; not carded or combed |
What heading 5201 covers
No machine has yet cleaned it or lined the fibres up. It is the start of the cotton chain, long before any yarn is spun.
The Harmonized System, or HS, is a shared naming scheme for traded goods. Customs offices use it for tariff classification. Traders print the same number on invoices and shipping papers, so buyer and seller know what is in the bale.
You may also see this number called HSN code 5201 or HTS code 5201. The label changes from country to country, but the base number is the same.
HS 520100 and national tariff lines
Six digits is where the world list stops for this heading. Your own country may add more digits for its tariff.
Raw cotton is often sorted by staple length, which means the length of the fibres. Splits like that come from national lists, not from 520100. Duty rates are also set by each country, so check with your customs authority before you file.
To see how real shipments describe this cotton, look at the records on EximDataX.
5201 vs 5202 vs 5203: choosing the right cotton heading
These three headings sit side by side, so they are easy to mix up. Ask one question: what state is the cotton in?
Scraps left over from spinning are waste, and waste has its own heading. It is not a subheading of 5201. Fibre that has gone through carding or combing is further along the chain. Fibre that is neither waste nor worked on this way belongs in 5201. If you are still unsure, try the HS code classifier.
- 5201: raw fibre, untouched by carding or combing
- 5202: cotton waste, such as yarn waste and garnetted stock
- 5203: fibre that carding or combing has already worked on
From raw cotton to yarn and fabric: other Chapter 52 headings
Once cotton is processed, it moves to later headings. Headings 5205, 5206 and 5207 cover other cotton yarn, split by cotton content and by whether it is put up for retail sale.
They are split by cotton content, fibre blend and fabric weight. Heading 5212 holds other woven cotton fabrics not named elsewhere.
If you buy or sell further down this chain, open the heading that matches your product.
HS code 5201 import and export data: who ships raw cotton
Knowing the code is only half the job. The next question is who buys and sells goods under it. EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources.
Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily.
You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.
Nearby headings in Chapter 52
- 5202Cotton waste (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)3 codes
- 5203Cotton, carded or combed1 code
- 5204Cotton sewing thread, whether or not put up for retail sale3 codes
- 5205Cotton yarn (other than sewing thread), containing 85% or more by weight of…24 codes
- 5206Cotton yarn (other than sewing thread), containing less than 85% by weight of…20 codes
- 5207Cotton yarn (other than sewing thread), put up for retail sale2 codes
- 5208Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, weighing…19 codes
- 5209Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, weighing…16 codes
- 5210Woven fabrics of cotton, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed…11 codes
- 5211Woven fabrics of cotton, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed…14 codes
- 5212Other woven fabrics of cotton, n.e.c. in chapter 5210 codes
Who ships under 5201?
EximDataX tracks the live import–export records filed under this heading and the code beneath it: named buyers, suppliers, quantities and values from official customs feeds.
Section XI: Textiles and Textile Articles, chapters 50–63.
HS Code 5201: common questions
What is HS code 5201?
It is a four-digit customs heading used worldwide for cotton fibre in its raw state.
What is the six-digit HS code for raw cotton?
The six-digit code is 520100.
Is cotton waste classified under 5201?
No. Waste has its own heading, 5202.
What is the difference between HS 5201 and 5203?
It comes down to processing. Heading 5203 is for fibre that has already been worked on, while 5201 is for fibre that has not.
What is the HSN code for cotton not carded or combed?
HSN codes follow the same base numbering as the HS, so the heading is 5201.
How do I find buyers of raw cotton HS 5201?
Search the code in the buyer and supplier tools on EximDataX. The data section above explains what you get.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.