Cotton swab Hs Code

Cotton swab harmonized system code

Product Overview Cotton swabs classified under HS Code 560121 are small, slender sticks composed primarily of a central paper or plastic shaft with cotton tips affixed at one or both ends. These swabs are manufactured through processes including cotton fiber purification, precise tip winding, and secure attachment to the shaft to ensure uniformity and hygiene. Typically, the physical specifications include a length ranging from 70 to 100 millimeters, with tightly packed, absorbent cotton heads designed for optimal moisture retention and minimal fiber shedding. Under the HS Code 560121 classification, cotton swabs are categorized as "Articles of cotton, not elsewhere specified or included," with subcategories reflecting variations in shaft material (paper or plastic) and tip configuration (single or double-ended). Commercially, these swabs find extensive application across food service hygiene maintenance, retail personal care products, and industrial processing sectors where precision cleaning or sample collection is required. Their value proposition lies in consistent quality standards, cost-effective mass production, and compliance with hygiene regulations, positioning them as essential consumables in international trade and cross-sector supply chains. HS Code Classification & Trade Specifications The HS Code 560121 falls under Chapter 56: "Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof," with Heading 5601 specifying "Wadding, felt and nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated." The full 6-digit breakdown is 560121, which delineates "Cotton wadding and articles thereof, n.e.s." The classification rationale is based on the predominant cotton composition and the functional form of the swabs as articles derived from cotton wadding. Trade considerations for cotton swabs include packaging in moisture-resistant cartons or blister packs, maintaining sterile or hygienic conditions, and adherence to transport regulations that prevent contamination or deformation. Typical preservation methods involve sealed, humidity-controlled packaging to preserve cotton integrity and prevent microbial growth. Shipping requirements align with international standards for non-perishable medical or cosmetic consumables. Quality standards demand conformity with ISO 13485 or equivalent, ensuring fiber purity (>95% cotton content), tensile strength of shafts (minimum 1.5 N), and absorbency rates suitable for intended industrial or consumer applications. This classification and specification framework supports compliance with WTO guidelines and facilitates accurate customs documentation and tariff assessment in global trade operations.

Cotton swab Chapter Note

1.- This Chapter does not cover : (a) Wadding, felt or nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with substances or preparations (for example, perfumes or cosmetics of Chapter 33, soaps or detergents of heading 34.01, polishes, creams or similar preparations of heading 34.05, fabric softeners of heading 38.09) where the textile material is present merely as a carrying medium; (b) Textile products of heading 58.11; (c) Natural or artificial abrasive powder or grain, on a backing of felt or nonwovens (heading 68.05); (d) Agglomerated or reconstituted mica, on a backing of felt or nonwovens (heading 68.14); (e) Metal foil on a backing of felt or nonwovens (generally Section XIV or XV); or (f) Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers) and napkin liners and similar articles of heading 96.19. 2.- The term “felt” includes needleloom felt and fabrics consisting of a web of textile fibres the cohesion of which has been enhanced by a stitch-bonding process using fibres from the web itself. 3.- Headings 56.02 and 56.03 cover respectively felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics or rubber whatever the nature of these materials (compact or cellular). Heading 56.03 also includes nonwovens in which plastics or rubber forms the bonding substance. Headings 56.02 and 56.03 do not, however, cover : (a) Felt impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics or rubber, containing 50 % or less by weight of textile material or felt completely embedded in plastics or rubber (Chapter 39 or 40); (b) Nonwovens, either completely embedded in plastics or rubber, or entirely coated or covered on both sides with such materials, provided that such coating or covering can be seen with the naked eye with no account being taken of any resulting change of colour (Chapter 39 or 40); or (c) Plates, sheets or strip of cellular plastics or cellular rubber combined with felt or nonwovens, where the textile material is present merely for reinforcing purposes (Chapter 39 or 40). 4.- Heading 56.04 does not cover textile yarn, or strip or the like of heading 54.04 or 54.05, in which the impregnation, coating or covering cannot be seen with the naked eye (usually Chapters 50 to 55); for the purpose of this provision, no account should be taken of any resulting change of colour.