U.S. imports of Cotton Linters (SITC 26320) totaled $126K in August 2026, imported from 2 countries.
Importers of Cotton Linters paid $16K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 12.37% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Cotton Linters imports of $126K in August 2026 ran 41% below the year-to-date monthly average of $212K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataCotton linters—the short, fine fibers remaining on the cottonseed after ginning removes the longer staple fiber—are a chemically distinct co-product of cotton processing with end-uses far removed from textile spinning. Refined linters are a primary cellulose source for dissolving-grade pulp used in nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, and pharmaceutical excipient production, as well as a raw material for specialty papers and filtration media. Their classification is explicitly separated from staple cotton because the fiber length and processing pathway differ fundamentally from textile-grade cotton.
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2 import shipments a month
Cotton linters serve three main industrial sectors: chemical cellulose (for nitrocellulose explosives, lacquers, and cellulose acetate film/fiber), pharmaceutical and food-grade microcrystalline cellulose (a tablet excipient and food additive), and specialty paper (currency paper, filter paper). Each application requires a different purity and alpha-cellulose specification, so buyers must specify the grade—first-cut, second-cut, or refined—and the required alpha-cellulose content in purchase contracts.
Yes, classification disputes can arise at the boundary between raw cotton linters and refined linter pulp. Unrefined linters in bale form are classified as cotton linters, while linters that have been chemically processed to a dissolving-grade cellulose are classified as dissolving-grade pulp under a different heading. The degree of chemical processing and the resulting alpha-cellulose content are the determining factors, and mill processing records are the key supporting documentation.
Basic heading 173 of 239 in section 2
Basic heading 26320 · $126K of $3.8B
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ImportsExports
Imports
$126KYoY · free account
Exports
$12KYoY · free account
Low of 8 reported months · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. exported $2.1M of Cotton Linters.
Fewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade, or the latest month was under $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026 · imports 8 of 12 months reported, exports 11 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Turkey and India together supply 100% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.