HS code · 2-digit chapter
HS Code 50 – Silk
What HS 50 covers
HS Chapter 50 exclusively covers 'Silk,' encompassing all forms of this luxurious natural fiber, from its raw state to sophisticated woven fabrics. This chapter is vital for importers, exporters, and customs professionals dealing with one of the oldest and most prized textile materials in global trade. The scope of Chapter 50 begins with silkworm cocoons suitable for reeling (50.01) and progresses through raw silk (50.02), various types of silk waste (50.03), and different forms of silk yarn (50.04-50.06), culminating in woven fabrics of silk or silk waste (50.07). It strictly pertains to natural silk, a protein fiber produced by silkworms, distinguishing it from artificial or synthetic fibers that mimic silk's appearance but fall under other chapters, such as 54 or 55. Key sub-categories include raw mulberry silk, tussah silk, eri silk, muga silk, various silk wastes (like noils or garnetted stock), thrown silk yarn, spun silk yarn, and a wide array of woven silk fabrics such as charmeuse, chiffon, organza, and brocade. Accurate classification under Chapter 50 is paramount for trade compliance, directly influencing applicable tariffs, quotas, origin rules, and potential anti-dumping duties. Given silk's historical significance, tracing back to the ancient Silk Road, and its continued status as a luxury commodity, it often faces specific trade regulations, including certifications for organic or peace silk. This chapter underpins a significant portion of the global luxury textile market, linking traditional sericulture regions with high-fashion centers worldwide.
- Covers
- Silkworm cocoons for reeling
- Raw mulberry silk (not thrown)
- Silk waste (including noils)
- Garnetted silk stock
- Thrown silk yarn (not for retail)
- Spun silk yarn (not for retail)
- Silk embroidery thread (retail)
- Silkworm gut
- Woven habutai silk fabric
- Woven charmeuse silk fabric
- Woven crepe de chine silk fabric
- Silk organza fabric
- Silk satin fabric
- Silk chiffon fabric
- Dupioni silk fabric
- Shantung silk fabric
- Silk georgette fabric
- Wild silk yarn
- Eri silk yarn
- Muga silk yarn
- Peace silk yarn
- Tussah silk cocoons
- Silk doupion yarn
- Silk pongee fabric
- Silk brocade fabric
- Examples
A Chinese textile mill exports several tons of raw mulberry silk (HS 50.02) to an Italian luxury fashion house for the production of high-end scarves and dresses, utilizing established shipping routes through the Suez Canal. An Indian artisanal cooperative ships handloom Tussar silk fabric (HS 50.07) to a boutique fashion label in New York, often via air cargo due to the fabric's value and the need for timely delivery for fashion seasons. A Japanese kimono manufacturer imports specialized spun silk yarn (HS 50.05) from Vietnam, leveraging preferential tariffs under regional trade agreements to maintain competitive pricing for their traditional garments. A European brand focused on sustainable fashion sources peace silk yarn (HS 50.04) from Thailand, ensuring ethical production practices while importing through major container ports to their manufacturing facilities.
Headings in chapter 50 7
Codes often confused with 50
Common mistake. Common misclassifications in Chapter 50 often stem from confusing natural silk with man-made fibers or misidentifying the stage of manufacture. A frequent mistake is classifying artificial or synthetic silk imitations under Chapter 50; these should correctly fall under Chapter 54 (Man-made filaments) or Chapter 55 (Man-made staple fibers), depending on their form. The key differentiator is the natural protein origin of silk versus the chemical composition of man-made fibers. Another common error is classifying finished silk garments or made-up articles (e.g., scarves, ties) under Chapter 50. These belong in Chapters 61 (Knitted or crocheted apparel) or 62 (Non-knitted apparel), as Chapter 50 is reserved for silk in its raw, yarn, or fabric form, not completed articles. Always verify the material composition and the degree of processing.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 50, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 50 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 20% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $768M 43% of world exports
- 2 Italy $286M 16% of world exports
- 3 India $237M 13% of world exports
World total: $1.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $345M 20% of world imports
- 2 India $201M 11% of world imports
- 3 United Arab Emirates* ~$183M 10% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Questions about HS 50
What is HS code 50?
HS code 50 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Silk. HS Chapter 50 exclusively covers 'Silk,' encompassing all forms of this luxurious natural fiber, from its raw state to sophisticated woven fabrics. This chapter is vital for importers, exporters, and customs professionals dealing with one of the oldest and most prized textile materials in global trade. The scope of Chapter 50 begins with silkworm cocoons suitable for reeling (50.01) and progresses through raw silk (50.02), various types of silk waste (50.03), and different forms of silk yarn (50.04-50.06), culminating in woven fabrics of silk or silk waste (50.07). It strictly pertains to natural silk, a protein fiber produced by silkworms, distinguishing it from artificial or synthetic fibers that mimic silk's appearance but fall under other chapters, such as 54 or 55. Key sub-categories include raw mulberry silk, tussah silk, eri silk, muga silk, various silk wastes (like noils or garnetted stock), thrown silk yarn, spun silk yarn, and a wide array of woven silk fabrics such as charmeuse, chiffon, organza, and brocade. Accurate classification under Chapter 50 is paramount for trade compliance, directly influencing applicable tariffs, quotas, origin rules, and potential anti-dumping duties. Given silk's historical significance, tracing back to the ancient Silk Road, and its continued status as a luxury commodity, it often faces specific trade regulations, including certifications for organic or peace silk. This chapter underpins a significant portion of the global luxury textile market, linking traditional sericulture regions with high-fashion centers worldwide.
What products fall under HS code 50?
Silkworm cocoons for reeling, raw mulberry silk (not thrown), silk waste (including noils), garnetted silk stock, thrown silk yarn (not for retail), spun silk yarn (not for retail), silk embroidery thread (retail), silkworm gut, woven habutai silk fabric, woven charmeuse silk fabric, woven crepe de chine silk fabric, silk organza fabric, silk satin fabric, silk chiffon fabric, dupioni silk fabric, shantung silk fabric, silk georgette fabric, wild silk yarn, eri silk yarn, muga silk yarn, peace silk yarn, tussah silk cocoons, silk doupion yarn, silk pongee fabric, silk brocade fabric
What are common misclassifications for HS code 50?
Common misclassifications in Chapter 50 often stem from confusing natural silk with man-made fibers or misidentifying the stage of manufacture. A frequent mistake is classifying artificial or synthetic silk imitations under Chapter 50; these should correctly fall under Chapter 54 (Man-made filaments) or Chapter 55 (Man-made staple fibers), depending on their form. The key differentiator is the natural protein origin of silk versus the chemical composition of man-made fibers. Another common error is classifying finished silk garments or made-up articles (e.g., scarves, ties) under Chapter 50. These belong in Chapters 61 (Knitted or crocheted apparel) or 62 (Non-knitted apparel), as Chapter 50 is reserved for silk in its raw, yarn, or fabric form, not completed articles. Always verify the material composition and the degree of processing.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 50?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 50 in UN Comtrade data were China ($768M, 43% of world exports), Italy ($286M) and India ($237M). World exports came to about $1.8B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 50?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 50 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($345M, 20% of world imports), India ($201M) and the United Arab Emirates (about $183M). World imports came to about $1.8B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 50 structured?
HS code 50 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.