HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5001.00 – Silk; silk-worm cocoons suitable for reeling
HS code 5001.00 is the 6-digit subheading for silk, silk-worm cocoons suitable for reeling. It is used for bombyx mori cocoons, tussah silk cocoons, eri silk cocoons, muga silk cocoons and raw silk cocoons.
What HS 5001.00 covers
This HS code specifically covers raw silk in its earliest stage: silk-worm cocoons that are suitable for reeling. Reeling is the process of unwinding the continuous silk filament from the cocoon. This commodity is the fundamental raw material for the entire silk industry. International trade in silk-worm cocoons is highly concentrated, primarily involving countries with sericulture (silk farming) traditions and those with established silk processing and textile manufacturing industries. Importers are typically silk reeling mills and textile manufacturers seeking high-quality raw material for silk yarn and fabric production. Exporters are sericulture farms and cooperatives. Key considerations include the quality of the cocoons (e.g., size, uniformity, cleanliness), the efficiency of reeling, and the impact of environmental factors on silk-worm health. This trade is crucial for sustaining the global supply chain of natural silk products, from luxury garments to home furnishings.
- Covers
- Bombyx mori cocoons
- Tussah silk cocoons
- Eri silk cocoons
- Muga silk cocoons
- Raw silk cocoons
- Dried silk cocoons
- Fresh silk cocoons
- Examples
- Mulberry silk cocoons from China
- Tussah silk cocoons from India
- Eri silk cocoons from Northeast India
- Muga silk cocoons from Assam
Codes often confused with 5001.00
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 500200 (Raw silk (not thrown)) which covers the reeled filament, and 500300 (Silk waste) which covers damaged cocoons or by-products not suitable for reeling, emphasizing the "suitable for reeling" aspect.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 500100, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 500100 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 58% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 49% 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 $5.8M 58% of world exports
- 2 Tajikistan* ~$1.0M 10% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Kazakhstan $992K 9.8% of world exports
World total: $10M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $6.9M 49% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$5.3M 38% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Brazil $491K 3.5% of world imports
World total: $14M 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.
Brazil NCM code for 5001.00
Brazil does not split HS 5001.00: its NCM code is 5001.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 50.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5001.00
What is HS code 500100?
HS code 500100 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Silk; silk-worm cocoons suitable for reeling. This HS code specifically covers raw silk in its earliest stage: silk-worm cocoons that are suitable for reeling. Reeling is the process of unwinding the continuous silk filament from the cocoon. This commodity is the fundamental raw material for the entire silk industry. International trade in silk-worm cocoons is highly concentrated, primarily involving countries with sericulture (silk farming) traditions and those with established silk processing and textile manufacturing industries. Importers are typically silk reeling mills and textile manufacturers seeking high-quality raw material for silk yarn and fabric production. Exporters are sericulture farms and cooperatives. Key considerations include the quality of the cocoons (e.g., size, uniformity, cleanliness), the efficiency of reeling, and the impact of environmental factors on silk-worm health. This trade is crucial for sustaining the global supply chain of natural silk products, from luxury garments to home furnishings.
What products fall under HS code 500100?
Bombyx mori cocoons, tussah silk cocoons, eri silk cocoons, muga silk cocoons, raw silk cocoons, dried silk cocoons, fresh silk cocoons
What are common misclassifications for HS code 500100?
This code is distinct from 500200 (Raw silk (not thrown)) which covers the reeled filament, and 500300 (Silk waste) which covers damaged cocoons or by-products not suitable for reeling, emphasizing the "suitable for reeling" aspect.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 500100?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 500100 in UN Comtrade data were China ($5.8M, 58% of world exports), Tajikistan (about $1.0M) and Kazakhstan ($992K). World exports came to about $10M, 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 500100?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 500100 in UN Comtrade data were China ($6.9M, 49% of world imports), Vietnam (about $5.3M) and Brazil ($491K). World imports came to about $14M, 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 500100 structured?
HS code 500100 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (50) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 500100?
In Brazil, HS code 500100 is NCM 5001.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.