HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5005.00 – Silk; yarn spun from silk waste, not put up for retail sale
HS code 5005.00 is the 6-digit subheading for silk, yarn spun from silk waste, not put up for retail sale. It is used for spun silk yarn (bulk), silk noil yarn, schappe silk yarn, bourette silk yarn and carded silk yarn.
What HS 5005.00 covers
This HS code specifically covers yarn produced by spinning silk waste (from 500300), rather than reeling continuous filaments, and it is not prepared for retail sale. Spun silk yarn has a distinct, slightly slubby texture and a matte luster compared to filament silk yarn, making it suitable for different textile applications. Countries with substantial silk waste resources and spinning capabilities, like China, India, and Uzbekistan, are primary exporters. Importers include textile mills and manufacturers in countries such as Italy, Germany, and Japan, who utilize this yarn for weaving, knitting, or blending with other fibers to create unique fabrics, often for apparel, home furnishings, or technical textiles. The trade in spun silk yarn is driven by its cost-effectiveness relative to filament silk and its unique aesthetic properties, appealing to designers seeking a more rustic or textured silk look. Quality parameters include fiber length, yarn count, and twist.
- Covers
- Spun silk yarn (bulk)
- Silk noil yarn
- Schappe silk yarn
- Bourette silk yarn
- Carded silk yarn
- Combed silk yarn
- Silk waste blend yarn
- Examples
- Spun silk yarn for weaving
- Silk noil yarn for knitwear
- Schappe silk yarn for upholstery
- Bourette silk yarn for artisanal fabrics
Codes often confused with 5005.00
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 500400 (yarn from raw silk) because its origin is silk waste, not continuous filaments. It also differs from 500600 as 500500 is not put up for retail sale, indicating industrial quantities.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 500500, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 500500 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 74% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 46% 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 $76M 74% of world exports
- 2 Italy $11M 11% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $3.5M 3.4% of world exports
World total: $103M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $41M 46% of world imports
- 2 Japan $11M 13% of world imports
- 3 India $5.7M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $89M 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 code for 5005.00
Brazil does not split HS 5005.00: its NCM code is 5005.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 50.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5005.00
What is HS code 500500?
HS code 500500 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Silk; yarn spun from silk waste, not put up for retail sale. This HS code specifically covers yarn produced by spinning silk waste (from 500300), rather than reeling continuous filaments, and it is not prepared for retail sale. Spun silk yarn has a distinct, slightly slubby texture and a matte luster compared to filament silk yarn, making it suitable for different textile applications. Countries with substantial silk waste resources and spinning capabilities, like China, India, and Uzbekistan, are primary exporters. Importers include textile mills and manufacturers in countries such as Italy, Germany, and Japan, who utilize this yarn for weaving, knitting, or blending with other fibers to create unique fabrics, often for apparel, home furnishings, or technical textiles. The trade in spun silk yarn is driven by its cost-effectiveness relative to filament silk and its unique aesthetic properties, appealing to designers seeking a more rustic or textured silk look. Quality parameters include fiber length, yarn count, and twist.
What products fall under HS code 500500?
Spun silk yarn (bulk), Silk noil yarn, Schappe silk yarn, Bourette silk yarn, Carded silk yarn, Combed silk yarn, Silk waste blend yarn
What are common misclassifications for HS code 500500?
This code is distinct from 500400 (yarn from raw silk) because its origin is silk waste, not continuous filaments. It also differs from 500600 as 500500 is not put up for retail sale, indicating industrial quantities.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 500500?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 500500 in UN Comtrade data were China ($76M, 74% of world exports), Italy ($11M) and Switzerland ($3.5M). World exports came to about $103M, 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 500500?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 500500 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($41M, 46% of world imports), Japan ($11M) and India ($5.7M). World imports came to about $89M, 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 500500 structured?
HS code 500500 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (50) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) 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 500500?
In Brazil, HS code 500500 is NCM 5005.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.