HS Code Heading

Woven fabrics of silk or of silk waste

50.07 Heading
Section XI — Textiles and textile articles

About HS Code 5007

HS Code 5007 encompasses a wide array of woven fabrics made from silk or silk waste, serving as a crucial classification for international trade in luxury textiles. This heading specifically covers fabrics in their finished or semi-finished state, distinguishing them from raw silk (Chapter 50, headings 5002-5003) or silk yarns (headings 5004-5006). The scope includes all types of woven structures – plain weave, twill, satin, jacquard, dobby, and more – whether undyed, dyed, printed, or woven from dyed yarns. Materials can range from pure mulberry silk to wild silks like Tussah, and fabrics made from silk waste such as noil silk, which offer different textures and price points. The critical boundary for this classification is that the product must be a *woven fabric*; knitted or crocheted silk fabrics fall under Chapter 60. For importers, exporters, and customs brokers, accurate classification under 5007 is paramount for determining applicable import duties, quotas, and regulatory compliance, as silk fabrics are often subject to higher tariffs due to their luxury status. Historically, silk has been a highly prized commodity, with its trade routes, like the Silk Road, shaping global commerce for centuries. Its placement within Section XI (Textiles and Textile Articles) and Chapter 50 (Silk) firmly establishes its identity as a natural fiber textile, emphasizing its origin and processed form. Understanding the nuances, particularly distinguishing between pure silk and silk waste fabrics, can impact classification at the 6-digit level and, consequently, duty rates and statistical tracking, ensuring seamless and compliant global trade.

Products Under This Code

Silk charmeuse fabric, Silk chiffon fabric, Silk organza fabric, Silk dupioni fabric, Silk shantung fabric, Silk habotai fabric, Silk georgette fabric, Silk crepe de chine fabric, Silk satin fabric, Silk brocade fabric, Silk jacquard fabric, Silk twill fabric, Silk taffeta fabric, Silk velvet fabric (woven pile), Noil silk woven fabric, Silk blend woven fabric (where silk predominates by weight), Printed silk fabric, Dyed silk fabric, Raw silk woven fabric, Silk lining fabric, Silk furnishing fabric (woven), Silk dress fabric, Silk scarf fabric, Silk saree fabric, Silk upholstery fabric (woven)

Real World Examples

An Italian luxury fashion house regularly imports rolls of printed silk twill fabric from China for its seasonal collections, utilizing established ocean freight routes to the port of Genoa, where the fabric undergoes final inspection before being sent to garment manufacturers. A high-end textile distributor in New York sources intricately woven silk brocade fabric from India, known for its traditional patterns, for bespoke interior design projects, often air freighting smaller, urgent orders and using ocean cargo for bulk shipments. A Japanese kimono manufacturer imports large quantities of undyed silk habotai fabric from Vietnam, which is then traditionally dyed and hand-painted in Kyoto before being tailored into kimonos for the domestic and export markets, primarily via container ships to Yokohama. A British bespoke tailor imports silk dupioni fabric from Thailand for premium suit linings, benefiting from preferential tariff rates under various trade agreements between the UK and Southeast Asian nations.

Common Misclassification

Common misclassifications for 5007 often arise from confusing woven silk fabrics with silk yarns (HS 5004, 5005, 5006), or with knitted or crocheted silk fabrics (Chapter 60, e.g., 6002). Traders might incorrectly classify a woven silk blend fabric under a different chapter if the silk content does not predominate by weight, leading to incorrect duty applications. Another frequent error is classifying silk fabric waste, such as selvage trimmings or offcuts, as woven fabric rather than under waste headings like 5003 or 5103, which carry different tariff implications. Ensuring the material is definitively *woven* and primarily *silk or silk waste* is crucial to avoid penalties and ensure accurate customs declarations.

Subheadings 3

Industry

This code belongs to the Textiles & Clothing industry.

Trade Overview

China is the predominant global exporter of silk fabrics, followed by India, Italy, and Vietnam, leveraging their extensive sericulture and textile manufacturing capabilities. Major importers include the European Union (especially Italy and France for high-fashion finishing), the United States, Japan, and emerging fashion markets. Tariff rates for silk fabrics can be substantial in many developed economies, reflecting their luxury status. However, various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) schemes can offer reduced or zero duties for goods originating from specific developing countries, significantly impacting trade flows and competitiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 5007?

HS code 5007 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Woven fabrics of silk or of silk waste. HS Code 5007 encompasses a wide array of woven fabrics made from silk or silk waste, serving as a crucial classification for international trade in luxury textiles. This heading specifically covers fabrics in their finished or semi-finished state, distinguishing them from raw silk (Chapter 50, headings 5002-5003) or silk yarns (headings 5004-5006). The scope includes all types of woven structures – plain weave, twill, satin, jacquard, dobby, and more – whether undyed, dyed, printed, or woven from dyed yarns. Materials can range from pure mulberry silk to wild silks like Tussah, and fabrics made from silk waste such as noil silk, which offer different textures and price points. The critical boundary for this classification is that the product must be a *woven fabric*; knitted or crocheted silk fabrics fall under Chapter 60. For importers, exporters, and customs brokers, accurate classification under 5007 is paramount for determining applicable import duties, quotas, and regulatory compliance, as silk fabrics are often subject to higher tariffs due to their luxury status. Historically, silk has been a highly prized commodity, with its trade routes, like the Silk Road, shaping global commerce for centuries. Its placement within Section XI (Textiles and Textile Articles) and Chapter 50 (Silk) firmly establishes its identity as a natural fiber textile, emphasizing its origin and processed form. Understanding the nuances, particularly distinguishing between pure silk and silk waste fabrics, can impact classification at the 6-digit level and, consequently, duty rates and statistical tracking, ensuring seamless and compliant global trade.

What products fall under HS code 5007?

Silk charmeuse fabric, Silk chiffon fabric, Silk organza fabric, Silk dupioni fabric, Silk shantung fabric, Silk habotai fabric, Silk georgette fabric, Silk crepe de chine fabric, Silk satin fabric, Silk brocade fabric, Silk jacquard fabric, Silk twill fabric, Silk taffeta fabric, Silk velvet fabric (woven pile), Noil silk woven fabric, Silk blend woven fabric (where silk predominates by weight), Printed silk fabric, Dyed silk fabric, Raw silk woven fabric, Silk lining fabric, Silk furnishing fabric (woven), Silk dress fabric, Silk scarf fabric, Silk saree fabric, Silk upholstery fabric (woven)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 5007?

Common misclassifications for 5007 often arise from confusing woven silk fabrics with silk yarns (HS 5004, 5005, 5006), or with knitted or crocheted silk fabrics (Chapter 60, e.g., 6002). Traders might incorrectly classify a woven silk blend fabric under a different chapter if the silk content does not predominate by weight, leading to incorrect duty applications. Another frequent error is classifying silk fabric waste, such as selvage trimmings or offcuts, as woven fabric rather than under waste headings like 5003 or 5103, which carry different tariff implications. Ensuring the material is definitively *woven* and primarily *silk or silk waste* is crucial to avoid penalties and ensure accurate customs declarations.

Which countries trade the most under HS code 5007?

China is the predominant global exporter of silk fabrics, followed by India, Italy, and Vietnam, leveraging their extensive sericulture and textile manufacturing capabilities. Major importers include the European Union (especially Italy and France for high-fashion finishing), the United States, Japan, and emerging fashion markets. Tariff rates for silk fabrics can be substantial in many developed economies, reflecting their luxury status. However, various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) schemes can offer reduced or zero duties for goods originating from specific developing countries, significantly impacting trade flows and competitiveness.

How is HS code 5007 structured?

HS code 5007 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 50 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (50) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (07) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.