Vegetable textile fibres; paper yarn and… (chapter 53): which countries import it
Chapter 53 covers raw and processed vegetable fibres—flax, hemp, jute, sisal—plus yarn and fabrics made from them. China, India and Belgium are the…
Published on 27 September 2026Updated on 27 September 2026
Chapter 53 covers raw and processed vegetable fibres—flax, hemp, jute, sisal—plus yarn and fabrics made from them. China, India and Belgium are the largest importers. Spain exports to this chapter: understanding which headings apply to your product and checking tariffs by destination is the first step.
Fact sheet
- Code
- 53
- Sector
- Fashion and Textiles
Main importing markets
USD · 2024| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| China | 1,613,497,610 |
| India | 555,871,392 |
| Belgium | 343,154,237 |
| Türkiye | 336,725,050 |
| Italy | 273,139,135 |
| United States | 265,378,555 |
| Morocco | 209,315,012 |
| Spain | 184,404,835 |
| Netherlands | 136,141,320 |
| United Kingdom | 134,791,154 |
| France | 128,947,733 |
| Indonesia | 127,562,077 |
| Germany | 103,638,392 |
| Portugal | 102,451,873 |
| Lithuania | 61,250,158 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2024Verified on 27 September 2026
Headings in this chapter
- Flax, raw or processed but not spun; flax tow and waste (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)Heading 5301
- True hemp (cannabis sativa L.), raw or processed but not spun; tow and waste of true hemp (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)Heading 5302
- Jute and other textile bast fibres (not flax, true hemp and ramie), raw or processed but not spun; tow and waste of these fibres, including yarn waste and garnetted stockHeading 5303
- Sisal and other textile fibres of the genus Agave, raw or processed but not spun; tow and waste of these fibres (including yarn waste and garnetted stock).Heading 5304
- Coconut, abaca (Manila hemp or Musa textilis Nee), ramie and other vegetable textile fibres n.e.c., raw or processed but not spun; tow, noils and waste of these fibres (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)Heading 5305
- Flax yarnHeading 5306
- Yarn of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading no. 5305Heading 5307
- Yarn of other vegetable textile fibres; paper yarnHeading 5308
- Woven fabrics of flaxHeading 5309
- Woven fabrics of jute, other textile bast fibres of heading no. 5303Heading 5310
- Woven fabrics of other vegetable textile fibres; woven fabrics of paper yarnHeading 5311
Trade fairs in this sector
- LINEAPELLE
- MICAM Milano
- MOMAD, Salón Internacional de Moda, Calzado y Accesorios
- Pitti Immagine Uomo
- Première Vision Paris
- Techtextil
- Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris
What you need to check before exporting
Your product's heading determines which rules apply. Chapter 53 runs from heading 5301 (raw flax) to 5311 (woven fabrics of other vegetable fibres). The 11 headings group products by fibre type and processing stage: raw fibres, yarns, and woven fabrics. Finding the right heading is the first step because tariffs, certifications and trade agreement benefits depend on it.
The tariff you pay depends on three things: the heading, the destination country, and any trade agreement in force. Spain exports within the EU internal market and to third countries. For EU destinations, there is no tariff. For others—China, India, the US—the rate varies by agreement and product. Check the applicable rate in Access2Markets by entering your destination and the HS code of your product.
Vegetable fibres are agricultural products, so phytosanitary requirements apply in many markets. Whether your product needs a phytosanitary certificate depends on the fibre type, the destination, and whether the product has been processed. A raw flax shipment to some countries will need documentation; processed yarn may not. The requirements are specific to each destination and should be checked with the importer or the competent authority in the destination country.
If you export to the EU, the product must comply with REACH regulations if it contains hazardous substances, and with applicable labelling rules for textiles. If you export outside the EU, the importer's country will have its own standards. Ask your buyer upfront what certifications or test reports they need, and verify their cost before quoting.
Questions about exporting Chapter 53 products
How do I know which heading applies to my product?
Read the chapter notes and the heading descriptions. The distinction usually turns on fibre type and degree of processing: raw fibres are in headings 5301–5305; yarns in 5306–5308; woven fabrics in 5309–5311. If your product could fit two headings, apply the general rule of interpretation for the Harmonized System: the most specific heading wins. When in doubt, ask the customs authority or a trade consultant.
What's the difference between exporting to the EU and to other markets?
There is no tariff within the EU: any Chapter 53 product can move freely across the internal market. For shipments outside the EU, tariffs apply. The rate depends on your destination and the product's heading. Most countries have trade agreements with the EU that lower or eliminate tariffs for certain products. Check the rate for your specific destination and heading in Access2Markets.
Do I need a phytosanitary certificate?
It depends on the destination and the product's processing stage. Raw fibres are more likely to need one than processed yarn or woven fabric. Many importers will tell you upfront if they require a phytosanitary certificate. If you're exporting raw or lightly processed fibres, assume the importer's country will ask for one and ask your national plant health authority how to obtain it.
Who are the main buyers for Chapter 53 products?
China and India together account for more than 40 % of global imports of Chapter 53 products. Belgium, Turkey and Italy are also large importers. Many of these countries are hubs that receive raw fibres, process them, and re-export. Your buyer could be a processor in Asia or a distributor in Europe. Understand who your importer is—and what they do with the product—before you ship.
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