Upland Cotton Bale (Short Staple) from China
A compressed bale of upland cotton with staple length under 28.575 mm (1-1/8 inches), not carded or combed, used primarily for spinning into yarns for apparel and textiles. This raw cotton falls under HTS 5201.00.18.00 as 'other' short staple cotton excluding harsh or rough varieties and specific quota-limited types. It is imported in large bales for processing in textile mills.
Duty Rate — China → United States
35%
Rate breakdown
9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
9903.88.0325%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)
Import Tips
• Verify staple length measurement under 28.575 mm via certified testing to avoid reclassification; ensure no carding/combing has occurred with clean fiber inspection
• Be aware of aggregate quota limits under US Note for similar short staple cottons, though this subheading may have specific exemptions
• Provide bale weight and origin documentation to customs