5203.00 - Cotton, carded or combed:

This HTS category, 5203.00, specifically covers raw cotton fibers that have undergone preparatory mechanical treatments, namely carding or combing. Carding aligns and separates the cotton fibers, removing impurities and preparing them for spinning, while combing further refines this process by arranging the fibers in a parallel order and removing shorter fibers (noils). These processed fibers are distinct from raw, ginned cotton (which would fall under a different heading) as they have undergone significant mechanical intervention to improve their suitability for yarn production.

As a category within Chapter 52, "Cotton," this section is distinct from other raw materials or processed goods. Its sibling categories at the HTS Database Root level, such as live animals or mineral products, are entirely unrelated in terms of material composition and intended use. Within Section XI, this category is specifically for cotton in its processed fiber form, prior to spinning into yarn or further manufacturing into fabric.

The subcategories within 5203.00, such as "Other" (5203.00.50.00), are designed to capture any remaining forms of carded or combed cotton that do not fit into more specific subdivisions, if they were to exist at a finer level. This hierarchical structure allows for precise classification based on the degree of processing and specific characteristics of the cotton fiber.