Cotton Linters

Chapter 52 covers cotton in forms suitable for spinning and textile manufacture. Cotton linters are too short for spinning and are classified in Chapter 14 as vegetable products used primarily for industrial purposes — cellulose production, paper, explosives, and pharmaceutical excipients. The classification distinction is based on fiber length and end-use character, not origin.

Yes. Raw cotton material, including linters, is subject to USDA APHIS phytosanitary requirements because of the risk of introducing cotton pests such as boll weevil. A phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country is typically required, and APHIS may impose treatment or inspection conditions depending on the country of origin. Importers should consult current APHIS import conditions before shipment.