Unsorted Wool

🐑 Unsorted Wool (Wool, Not Carded or Combed)

🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Updated Tariff Analysis | Professional Import Strategy
📌 One, Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly Is "Unsorted Wool"?

Unsorted wool refers to raw, unprocessed wool fibers that have not undergone any mechanical or chemical preparation such as carding, combing, or sorting by quality or length. This category includes:

• Greasy wool (still containing natural lanolin and dirt),
• Fleece-washed wool (cleaned but not yet processed),
• Shorn wool (sheared from live animals, not yet sorted),
• Other unsorted wool, including fine wool with a fiber diameter finer than 58s (a measure of fineness).

⚠️ Key Distinction:
- If the wool is not sorted by fineness, length, or quality, and remains in its natural, raw state → must be classified under 5101.11.60.60 or 5101.19.60.60
- If the wool has been carded, combed, or sorted, it falls into a different HS code (e.g., 5102 or 5103), and different tax treatment applies.

📦 Two, HS Code Classification Details (2026 Official Tariff Breakdown)

🔍 Critical Note:
- "Unsorted" = no grading, no sorting, no blending → must be declared under 5101.11.60.60 or 5101.19.60.60 if wool;
- "Noils" and "waste" are not usable for spinning and are treated as by-products, not raw material → must be declared under 5103.10.00.00 or 5103.20.00.00.

💰 Three, 2026 Updated Tariff & Tax Breakdown (Including附加 Taxes)

✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN), India (IN), Australia (AU), New Zealand (NZ), etc.
✅ Effective Date: January 1, 2025 (inclusive of all tariff adjustments)

🎯 1. 5101.11.60.60 — Shorn Wool, Finer than 58s, Greasy or Fleece-Washed

📌 Explanation:
- This code is not subject to any additional tariffs under the U.S. Section 301 or IEEPA measures.
- Even though the wool is finer than 58s (high-quality), it is not targeted under current U.S. trade actions.
- No anti-dumping or countervailing duties apply.

🎯 2. 5101.19.60.60 — Other Unsorted Greasy or Fleece-Washed Wool, Finer than 58s

📌 Note:
- Applies to non-shorn unsorted wool (e.g., from mixed flocks or bulk shipments).
- Despite being finer than 58s, it does not trigger any additional tariffs.
- No special treatment for "fine" wool — only if it’s processed or blended does it change.

🎯 3. 5102.19.60.60 — Fine Animal Hair (e.g., Cashmere, Mohair), Degreased or Carbonized Only

📌 Important:
- Applies only to raw fine animal hair that has undergone minimal processing (e.g., degreasing, carbonization).
- Not subject to 25% Section 301 tariffs — unlike finished garments or yarns.
- No additional duties even if from China or India.

🎯 4. 5102.19.90.00 — Other Unprocessed Fine Animal Hair

📌 Clarification:
- Covers raw, unprocessed fine animal hair not covered under previous subheadings.
- No additional tariffs apply — even if the material is high-value (e.g., cashmere).
- Only processed or spun products are subject to tariffs.

🎯 5. 5103.10.00.00 — Noils of Wool or Fine Animal Hair (Waste)

📌 Key Point:
- Noils are waste, not raw material → not eligible for "raw wool" tariff treatment.
- No additional duties — even if shipped in bulk from China or India.
- Must be declared as waste, not as "unsorted wool".

🎯 6. 5103.20.00.00 — Other Waste of Wool or Fine Animal Hair

📌 Final Note:
- Applies to trimmings, scraps, unusable fibers — not for resale or spinning.
- No tariffs, even if shipped from high-risk countries.
- Must be clearly labeled as "waste" to avoid misclassification.

🛠️ Four, Customs Clearance Best Practices (Pro Tips to Avoid Penalties)

✅ 1. Required Documentation (Must-Have List)

✅ 2.申报技巧（Key Rules of Thumb）

🔥 "Raw = No Tax, Processed = High Tax!"

✅ 3. Special Cases & Risk Mitigation

🌍 Five, Global Customs Comparison (2026 Update)

📌 Conclusion:
- The U.S. is the only market with active Section 301 tariffs, but raw unsorted wool is exempt.
- No additional tariffs on any of the listed HS codes — even from China.

📌 Six, Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them (Avoid Costly Errors!)

❌ Mistake 1: Declaring noils as "unsorted wool"
👉 Result: Incorrect HS code → risk of penalty or seizure

❌ Mistake 2: Combining raw wool and waste in one shipment under one code
👉 Result: Customs may reject or delay clearance

❌ Mistake 3: Using generic term "wool" without specifying "unsorted", "greasy", or "fleece-washed"
👉 Result: Customs may assume processing → incorrect classification

❌ Mistake 4: Failing to provide fiber fineness report for "finer than 58s" claims
👉 Result: Rejection of preferential treatment or audit

✅ Best Practice:

"Unsorted Wool, Greasy, Fleece-Washed, Shorn, Finer than 58s, Not Carded or Combed, HS Code: 5101.11.60.60"

🎯 Seven, Final Verdict: Smart Classification = Zero Tariff, Zero Risk!

🎯 Remember the Golden Rule:

🔹 "Raw, Unprocessed, Unsorted = 0% Duty"
🔹 "Carded, Combed, Spun, Woven = High Tariff"
🔹 "Noils & Waste = Separate Code, Still 0% Duty"

📌 Pro Tip:

If your wool is from Vietnam, Thailand, or Mexico, you may qualify for USMCA or GSP benefits — even if from China origin.
✅ Apply for Advance Ruling (Pre-Ruling) to lock in HS code and tariff rate before shipment.

📣 Act Now!

📞 Contact a licensed customs broker + provide product photos + request HS Code pre-ruling
🚀 Ship with confidence — no surprises, no delays, no extra costs!

✨ Professional Customs, Starts with Perfect Classification!
💼 Your wool’s value depends on its HS code — get it right the first time!