HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5004.00 – Silk; yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale
HS code 5004.00 is the 6-digit subheading for silk, yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale. It is used for thrown silk yarn, twisted silk thread, silk ply yarn, silk filament yarn and undyed silk yarn (bulk).
What HS 5004.00 covers
This category covers silk yarn that has been "thrown" (twisted) from raw silk filaments, but specifically excludes yarn made from silk waste and yarn packaged for direct consumer purchase. This is a crucial intermediate product in the textile value chain, representing the transformation of raw silk into a durable and workable thread for weaving, knitting, or embroidery. Major exporters are countries with advanced silk processing capabilities, often building on their raw silk production or importing raw silk for further processing, such as China, India, and Vietnam. Importers are typically textile manufacturers, fashion houses, and fabric producers in countries like Italy, France, and Japan, where high-end silk fabrics and garments are created. Trade in this yarn is characterized by various deniers, twists, and ply counts, catering to specific fabric requirements. Quality, uniformity, and dye-ability are critical factors influencing its international trade.
- Covers
- Thrown silk yarn
- Twisted silk thread
- Silk ply yarn
- Silk filament yarn
- Undyed silk yarn (bulk)
- Greige silk yarn
- Organzine silk yarn
- Tram silk yarn
- Examples
- Bombyx mori thrown silk yarn
- Mulberry silk yarn (bulk)
- Tussah silk yarn (industrial)
- Eri silk yarn (bulk)
Codes often confused with 5004.00
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 500500 (yarn spun from silk waste) due to both being silk yarn, but 500400 is from continuous raw silk filaments. It also differs from 500600 because 500400 is not put up for retail sale, meaning it's in industrial quantities.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 500400, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 500400 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.
Brazil NCM code for 5004.00
Brazil does not split HS 5004.00: its NCM code is 5004.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 50.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5004.00
What is HS code 500400?
HS code 500400 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Silk; yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale. This category covers silk yarn that has been "thrown" (twisted) from raw silk filaments, but specifically excludes yarn made from silk waste and yarn packaged for direct consumer purchase. This is a crucial intermediate product in the textile value chain, representing the transformation of raw silk into a durable and workable thread for weaving, knitting, or embroidery. Major exporters are countries with advanced silk processing capabilities, often building on their raw silk production or importing raw silk for further processing, such as China, India, and Vietnam. Importers are typically textile manufacturers, fashion houses, and fabric producers in countries like Italy, France, and Japan, where high-end silk fabrics and garments are created. Trade in this yarn is characterized by various deniers, twists, and ply counts, catering to specific fabric requirements. Quality, uniformity, and dye-ability are critical factors influencing its international trade.
What products fall under HS code 500400?
Thrown silk yarn, Twisted silk thread, Silk ply yarn, Silk filament yarn, Undyed silk yarn (bulk), Greige silk yarn, Organzine silk yarn, Tram silk yarn
What are common misclassifications for HS code 500400?
This code is often confused with 500500 (yarn spun from silk waste) due to both being silk yarn, but 500400 is from continuous raw silk filaments. It also differs from 500600 because 500400 is not put up for retail sale, meaning it's in industrial quantities.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 500400?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 500400 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 500400?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 500400 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 500400 structured?
HS code 500400 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (50) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) 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 500400?
In Brazil, HS code 500400 is NCM 5004.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.