Heading 5202

Cotton waste (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)

6 declarable lines

Heading 5202 covers cotton waste, meaning the scraps and residues left over from spinning, weaving and recycling cotton, not new cotton fiber or finished yarn. It splits into three groups: yarn waste (including thread waste), garnetted stock, and a residual other waste group that carries the card strips, lap waste, sliver waste and roving waste lines. Most lines in the heading are free of duty, with the exceptions being garnetted stock and the residual card strips line.

Products in this heading

Cotton yarn waste from spinning mills
Cotton thread waste from winding and weaving
Garnetted stock made by tearing recycled cotton knitwear back into fiber
Cotton card strips
Cotton lap waste
Cotton sliver waste
Cotton roving waste
Mixed cotton soft waste sold to recyclers

How to choose the right subheading

Confirm the material is cotton waste, meaning residue from spinning, weaving or garnetting, not new fiber or finished yarn.
Decide whether the waste is yarn or thread waste, garnetted stock, or another waste type.
For other waste, check whether it is card strips, lap waste, sliver waste or roving waste rather than a general residue.
For card strips, check whether the cotton staple length is under 30.1625 mm (1-3/16 inches).
Check whether general note 15 or additional U.S. note 9 to chapter 52 applies, since those lines are free.

Often confused with

New cotton fiber, not carded or combed
Raw cotton is a primary fiber, not waste from processing.
Cotton yarn put up for retail sale
Finished yarn for sale is classified by yarn heading, not as waste.
Heading 5207
Cotton sewing thread
Sewing thread is a finished product, even when on small retail spools.
Heading 5204
Worn clothing and worn textile articles
Garments sold as used clothing stay in 6309; only the torn fiber goes to 5202.
Woven cotton fabric
Fabric is a made textile, not a waste residue.
Heading 5208

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for cotton yarn waste?

Cotton yarn waste, including thread waste, is classified under 5202.10.00.00. The general (MFN) rate for that line is Free.

What is the duty on garnetted cotton stock?

Garnetted stock falls under 5202.91.00.00. The general (MFN) rate for that line is 4.3%.

How do I classify cotton card strips?

Card strips from cotton with a staple length under 30.1625 mm (1-3/16 inches), and lap, sliver and roving waste, go in 5202.99. The general (MFN) rate is Free under 5202.99.05.00 or 5202.99.10.00 when the general note 15 or additional U.S. note 9 conditions are met, and 7.8 cents per kg under 5202.99.30.00 if they are not.

Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.