HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5003.00 – Silk waste (including cocoons unsuitable for reeling, yarn waste and garnetted stock)
HS code 5003.00 is the 6-digit subheading for silk waste (including cocoons unsuitable for reeling, yarn waste and garnetted stock). It is used for silk noils, silk cocoons unsuitable for reeling, silk yarn waste, garnetted silk stock and silk sliver.
What HS 5003.00 covers
This HS code encompasses various forms of silk waste, which are by-products of the silk production process. This includes damaged cocoons that cannot be reeled, short fibers, broken filaments, and waste generated during spinning or weaving. While often considered "waste," these materials are valuable for producing spun silk yarn, which has a different texture and luster than reeled silk. Countries with large sericulture and silk processing industries, such as China, India, and Uzbekistan, are major exporters of silk waste. Importers include manufacturers specializing in spun silk yarns, blends, or non-woven silk products, often found in countries like Italy, Japan, and Germany. The trade in silk waste is driven by its lower cost compared to raw silk and its utility in creating unique textile products, including those for upholstery, insulation, or specialty papers. Sustainability and circular economy principles are increasingly making silk waste a sought-after commodity for eco-conscious manufacturers.
- Covers
- Silk noils
- Silk cocoons unsuitable for reeling
- Silk yarn waste
- Garnetted silk stock
- Silk sliver
- Silk laps
- Silk short fibers
- Examples
- Spun silk yarn from waste
- Silk insulation material
- Silk paper pulp
- Silk batting
Codes often confused with 5003.00
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 500200 (raw silk) because it covers non-continuous, broken, or unusable silk fibers, not reeled filaments. It also differs from 500500 (yarn spun from silk waste) as 500300 is the raw waste material itself, not the finished yarn.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 500300, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 500300 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 43% of world imports. Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 6.7% of its exports here ($758K, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $37M 35% of world exports
- 2 India $33M 31% of world exports
- 3 Germany $10M 9.5% of world exports
Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 6.7% of its exports here ($758K, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $108M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $48M 43% of world imports
- 2 Italy $34M 31% of world imports
- 3 Germany $10M 9.0% of world imports
World total: $112M 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 codes for 5003.00 2
Brazil splits HS 5003.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 5003.00.10 Silk waste, not carded or combedNão cardados nem penteados
- 5003.00.90 Other silk waste, carded or combedOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 50.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5003.00
What is HS code 500300?
HS code 500300 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Silk waste (including cocoons unsuitable for reeling, yarn waste and garnetted stock). This HS code encompasses various forms of silk waste, which are by-products of the silk production process. This includes damaged cocoons that cannot be reeled, short fibers, broken filaments, and waste generated during spinning or weaving. While often considered "waste," these materials are valuable for producing spun silk yarn, which has a different texture and luster than reeled silk. Countries with large sericulture and silk processing industries, such as China, India, and Uzbekistan, are major exporters of silk waste. Importers include manufacturers specializing in spun silk yarns, blends, or non-woven silk products, often found in countries like Italy, Japan, and Germany. The trade in silk waste is driven by its lower cost compared to raw silk and its utility in creating unique textile products, including those for upholstery, insulation, or specialty papers. Sustainability and circular economy principles are increasingly making silk waste a sought-after commodity for eco-conscious manufacturers.
What products fall under HS code 500300?
Silk noils, Silk cocoons unsuitable for reeling, Silk yarn waste, Garnetted silk stock, Silk sliver, Silk laps, Silk short fibers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 500300?
This code is distinct from 500200 (raw silk) because it covers non-continuous, broken, or unusable silk fibers, not reeled filaments. It also differs from 500500 (yarn spun from silk waste) as 500300 is the raw waste material itself, not the finished yarn.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 500300?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 500300 in UN Comtrade data were China ($37M, 35% of world exports), India ($33M) and Germany ($10M). World exports came to about $108M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Uzbekistan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 6.7% of its exports here ($758K, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 500300?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 500300 in UN Comtrade data were China ($48M, 43% of world imports), Italy ($34M) and Germany ($10M). World imports came to about $112M, 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 500300 structured?
HS code 500300 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (50) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) 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 500300?
Brazil splits HS code 500300 into 2 NCM codes: 5003.00.10 (Silk waste, not carded or combed), 5003.00.90 (Other silk waste, carded or combed). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.