1404.20.00.00 - Cotton linters

This HTS category, 1404.20.00.00, specifically classifies cotton linters. Cotton linters are the short, fibrous material remaining on the cotton seed after the longer staple fibers have been removed by ginning. They are typically obtained from the second or third cut of the cotton fiber from the seed. Due to their specific origin and characteristics, linters are distinct from other vegetable fibers or products not elsewhere specified.

This category is distinguished from its sibling, 1404.90, which covers "Other" vegetable products not elsewhere specified or included. While both fall under the broader heading for vegetable products not specifically enumerated, 1404.20.00.00 offers a precise classification for cotton linters, ensuring they are not inadvertently grouped with other, dissimilar vegetable materials. The specificity of this sub-heading reflects the unique processing and end-uses of cotton linters.

As a leaf node in the HTS database, 1404.20.00.00 has no further subcategories. Classification within this code relies on the material being definitively identified as cotton linters, irrespective of minor processing or purity levels, as long as the fundamental identity remains. Common uses for cotton linters include the production of rayon, cellulose derivatives, batting, and as a component in certain paper products.