HTS Chapter 52: Cotton
HTS Chapter 52 covers Cotton. Browse 10 published headings, then narrow to the active product line that matches the goods.
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS Chapter 52 covers cotton and many cotton textile materials, including cotton waste, sewing thread, yarn, and woven cotton fabrics. The headings distinguish products by what they are, their cotton content, whether they are sold at retail, whether cotton is mixed with man-made fibers, and—especially for woven fabrics—the fabric’s weight in grams per square meter (g/m²).
The HTS is read from broad to specific: chapter 52 identifies the general cotton-textile area; a heading, such as 5205 or 5208, identifies the product group; subheadings add technical details; and the complete 10-digit HTS code supplies the legally relevant classification. Start with the product’s actual physical characteristics, not its marketing name or intended use, then verify the applicable heading and subheading wording, section and chapter notes, and any relevant classification decisions. Finished goods such as apparel, household articles, or other made-up textile products may be classified outside Chapter 52, depending on their construction and the HTS rules.
What to check
- Document the fiber composition by weight, yarn or fabric construction, and fabric weight in g/m²; obtain specifications or test results when necessary.
- Determine whether the item is waste, sewing thread, other yarn, woven fabric, or a finished textile article, and check whether retail packaging changes the applicable provision.
- Check all section and chapter notes and the heading exclusions; products containing cotton are not automatically classified in Chapter 52.
- For mixed fabrics, verify the cotton percentage and whether the fabric is mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers, as the wording can change the classification path.
- After selecting the 10-digit code, check the current HTS for Chapter 99 additional duties or other measures, quota or safeguard requirements, origin rules, and any documentation requirements; seek customs-broker or ruling advice when the facts are unclear.
How to use this chapter
A chapter is the first classification level, not a duty rate. Choose the heading that describes the product, narrow by material, construction, use, or other legal distinctions, and verify the final line against the official HTS notes.
Heading list
| HTS code | Description | Linked 8-digit entries |
|---|---|---|
| 5202 | Cotton waste (including yarn waste and garnetted stock): | 0 |
| 5204 | Cotton sewing thread, whether or not put up for retail sale: | 0 |
| 5205 | Cotton yarn (other than sewing thread), containing 85 percent or more by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale: | 14 |
| 5206 | Cotton yarn (other than sewing thread), containing less than 85 percent by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale: | 0 |
| 5207 | Cotton yarn (other than sewing thread) put up for retail sale: | 0 |
| 5208 | Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 percent or more by weight of cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/m²: | 0 |
| 5209 | Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 percent or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 200 g/m²: | 13 |
| 5210 | Woven fabrics of cotton, containing less than 85 percent by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers, weighing not more than 200 g/m²: | 0 |
| 5211 | Woven fabrics of cotton, containing less than 85 percent by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers, weighing more than 200 g/m²: | 3 |
| 5212 | Other woven fabrics of cotton: | 0 |
Linked measures
0 linked measure entries in the current snapshot.
Questions about HTS Chapter 52
What does HTS Chapter 52 cover?
HTS Chapter 52 covers Cotton. This page groups the chapter’s 4-digit headings; a shipment still needs the most specific active 8- or 10-digit line supported by the product facts.
Is HTS Chapter 52 a final product classification?
No. A chapter is a broad 2-digit category. Narrow it to the applicable heading and the most specific active statistical line before estimating duty or filing an entry.