HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 50.04 – Silk; yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale
What HS 50.04 covers
Heading 5004 covers "Silk; yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale." This classification is pivotal for virgin silk yarn intended for industrial use, distinguishing it from yarn made from silk waste (5005) and yarn packaged for consumers (5006). This category includes high-quality, continuous filament silk yarn that has been 'thrown' or twisted to give it strength, cohesion, and desired texture, but is not derived from recycled silk materials. It represents a crucial intermediate product for weaving, knitting, and other textile manufacturing processes, forming the backbone of luxury silk fabric production worldwide. The 'not put up for retail sale' clause signifies that the yarn is in industrial quantities, typically on large cones, bobbins, or in bulk hanks, not consumer-sized packages. For trade compliance, correctly identifying the origin (virgin vs. waste) and packaging format (industrial vs. retail) is paramount, as tariff rates, import quotas, and trade agreement benefits can vary significantly. This heading, situated within Chapter 50 (Silk) and Section XI (Textiles), underscores the importance of silk yarn as a premium raw material for the global textile and fashion industries, contributing to high-value finished goods.
- Covers
- Thrown mulberry silk yarn (industrial)
- Twisted tussah silk yarn (bulk)
- Degummed silk yarn (not from waste, industrial)
- Raw silk yarn (not from waste, bulk)
- Ply silk yarn (industrial cones)
- Crêpe silk yarn (bulk bobbins)
- Organzine silk yarn (industrial)
- Tram silk yarn (bulk)
- Grenadine silk yarn (industrial)
- Undyed silk yarn (not from waste, bulk)
- Dyed silk yarn (not from waste, industrial)
- Silk yarn for weaving (industrial)
- Silk yarn for knitting (industrial)
- Silk yarn for embroidery (industrial)
- High-tenacity silk yarn (industrial)
- Fine denier silk yarn (bulk)
- Coarse denier silk yarn (bulk)
- Multifilament silk yarn (industrial)
- Single filament silk yarn (industrial)
- Polished silk yarn (bulk)
- Silk yarn on large spools
- Silk yarn in large skeins
- Silk yarn for fabric production
- Virgin silk yarn (industrial).
- Examples
A leading Chinese silk spinning mill exports large quantities of premium thrown mulberry silk yarn (not from waste, on industrial cones) to an Italian fashion fabric manufacturer, which uses it to weave high-end silks for designer apparel; the shipment is typically via ocean freight from Qingdao to Livorno. An Indian producer of fine tussah silk yarn (not from waste, in bulk packaging) supplies a Japanese textile company specializing in luxurious home furnishings and traditional garments, with regular container shipments across Asian maritime routes. A Vietnamese factory manufactures dyed silk yarn (not from waste, on industrial bobbins) for a French haute couture house, which then crafts exquisite evening wear; these specialized orders are often expedited by air cargo to meet tight production schedules.
Subheadings under 50.04 1
Codes often confused with 50.04
Common mistake. Misclassification under 5004 frequently occurs due to confusion with other silk yarn categories. The most common error is classifying yarn made from silk waste under 5004; however, such yarn belongs in 5005 (Yarn spun from silk waste, not put up for retail sale). The distinction lies in the fiber's origin – virgin silk for 5004, recycled for 5005. Another mistake is classifying retail-packaged silk yarn here, when it should be under 5006 (Silk yarn... put up for retail sale). The 'not put up for retail sale' clause is critical. Finally, raw silk (not thrown) from 5002 is sometimes confused with 5004, but 5004 specifically refers to *yarn*, implying it has undergone the 'throwing' (twisting) process, which 5002 has not.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 5004, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 5004 in UN Comtrade data was Romania, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 48% 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 Romania $81M 35% of world exports
- 2 China $67M 28% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$29M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $234M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $102M 48% of world imports
- 2 Japan $26M 12% of world imports
- 3 India $18M 8.7% of world imports
World total: $211M 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 50.04
What is HS code 5004?
HS code 5004 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Silk; yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale. Heading 5004 covers "Silk; yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale." This classification is pivotal for virgin silk yarn intended for industrial use, distinguishing it from yarn made from silk waste (5005) and yarn packaged for consumers (5006). This category includes high-quality, continuous filament silk yarn that has been 'thrown' or twisted to give it strength, cohesion, and desired texture, but is not derived from recycled silk materials. It represents a crucial intermediate product for weaving, knitting, and other textile manufacturing processes, forming the backbone of luxury silk fabric production worldwide. The 'not put up for retail sale' clause signifies that the yarn is in industrial quantities, typically on large cones, bobbins, or in bulk hanks, not consumer-sized packages. For trade compliance, correctly identifying the origin (virgin vs. waste) and packaging format (industrial vs. retail) is paramount, as tariff rates, import quotas, and trade agreement benefits can vary significantly. This heading, situated within Chapter 50 (Silk) and Section XI (Textiles), underscores the importance of silk yarn as a premium raw material for the global textile and fashion industries, contributing to high-value finished goods.
What products fall under HS code 5004?
Thrown mulberry silk yarn (industrial), twisted tussah silk yarn (bulk), degummed silk yarn (not from waste, industrial), raw silk yarn (not from waste, bulk), ply silk yarn (industrial cones), crêpe silk yarn (bulk bobbins), organzine silk yarn (industrial), tram silk yarn (bulk), grenadine silk yarn (industrial), undyed silk yarn (not from waste, bulk), dyed silk yarn (not from waste, industrial), silk yarn for weaving (industrial), silk yarn for knitting (industrial), silk yarn for embroidery (industrial), high-tenacity silk yarn (industrial), fine denier silk yarn (bulk), coarse denier silk yarn (bulk), multifilament silk yarn (industrial), single filament silk yarn (industrial), polished silk yarn (bulk), silk yarn on large spools, silk yarn in large skeins, silk yarn for fabric production, virgin silk yarn (industrial).
What are common misclassifications for HS code 5004?
Misclassification under 5004 frequently occurs due to confusion with other silk yarn categories. The most common error is classifying yarn made from silk waste under 5004; however, such yarn belongs in 5005 (Yarn spun from silk waste, not put up for retail sale). The distinction lies in the fiber's origin – virgin silk for 5004, recycled for 5005. Another mistake is classifying retail-packaged silk yarn here, when it should be under 5006 (Silk yarn... put up for retail sale). The 'not put up for retail sale' clause is critical. Finally, raw silk (not thrown) from 5002 is sometimes confused with 5004, but 5004 specifically refers to *yarn*, implying it has undergone the 'throwing' (twisting) process, which 5002 has not.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 5004?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 5004 in UN Comtrade data were Romania ($81M, 35% of world exports), China ($67M) and Vietnam (about $29M). World exports came to about $234M, 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 5004?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 5004 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($102M, 48% of world imports), Japan ($26M) and India ($18M). World imports came to about $211M, 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 5004 structured?
HS code 5004 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 50 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (50) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (04) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.