About HS Code 51
Chapter 51 of the Harmonized System (HS) is dedicated to “Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn and woven fabric.” This critical chapter encompasses natural animal fibers derived from various sources, making it a cornerstone for the global textile industry. Its scope includes raw, processed (such as carded or combed), spun, and woven forms of wool from sheep or lambs, as well as fine animal hair from animals like alpaca, llama, vicuña, yak, goat (e.g., cashmere, mohair, angora), and camel. Additionally, it covers coarse animal hair, typically from equines (horses), bovine animals, and other species, along with horsehair yarn and woven fabrics made from any of these specified animal hairs. The boundaries of this classification are precise: it covers the fibers and their direct transformations into yarn and basic woven fabrics. It distinctly excludes synthetic or artificial fibers, as well as blends where the animal hair is not the predominant component by weight or character. Furthermore, finished articles, garments, or knitted/crocheted fabrics made from these materials fall into subsequent chapters (e.g., Chapters 60-63 of Section XI). Key sub-categories within Chapter 51 include raw wool and fine animal hair (greasy, shorn, scoured), their waste products, yarns made from these materials, and finally, woven fabrics. Classification under this chapter is paramount for trade compliance, directly influencing import duties, eligibility for preferential trade agreements, anti-dumping measures, and adherence to specific textile labeling and origin rules. Historically, wool and animal hairs have been essential commodities, driving economies in countries with large livestock populations, and continue to be vital for both mass-market and luxury textile production worldwide.
Products Under This Code
Greasy shorn Merino wool, scoured lamb's wool, carded alpaca hair, combed cashmere, raw yak hair, dehaired camel hair, angora goat hair, horse mane hair, horse tail hair, fine animal hair waste, coarse animal hair waste, wool yarn for knitting, worsted wool yarn, alpaca yarn for weaving, cashmere yarn for luxury sweaters, horsehair yarn for interlinings, woven fabric of pure new wool, tartan wool fabric, fine gabardine wool fabric, alpaca suiting fabric, cashmere coating fabric, mohair yarn, vicuña yarn, felted wool fabric (not needleloom).
Real World Examples
An Australian wool producer exports several containers of greasy, shorn Merino wool (HS 51.01) to large textile mills in China via the Indian Ocean for initial processing and spinning. A Peruvian cooperative specializes in exporting bales of finely carded alpaca hair (HS 51.03) to high-end fashion houses in Italy, leveraging the preferential tariffs offered under the EU-Andean Community trade agreement. A Scottish textile manufacturer frequently imports worsted wool yarn (HS 51.07) from New Zealand, shipped via container vessel through the Panama Canal, to weave into traditional tartan fabrics for kilts and blankets. A Mongolian cashmere processing company exports premium combed cashmere (HS 51.03) to Japan for the production of luxury knitwear, often utilizing air freight due to the high value and demand for quick delivery. An Indian company imports woven fabrics of fine animal hair, specifically high-quality mohair fabric (HS 51.12), from South Africa to manufacture specialized throws and upholstery items.
Common Misclassification
A common mistake in classifying products under Chapter 51 involves confusing raw or semi-processed fibers and fabrics with finished textile articles. For instance, a pure wool sweater (HS 61.10) or a wool blanket (HS 63.01) should never be classified in Chapter 51, which is reserved for the raw materials, yarn, and basic woven fabrics. Another frequent error occurs with blended textiles; if wool or animal hair is not the predominant component by weight or character, the product might fall into other chapters, such as Chapter 55 for man-made staple fibers or Chapter 52 for cotton, if those fibers dominate. Confusion also arises with Chapter 50 (Silk) if the animal hair has a silken luster or is blended with silk, requiring careful identification of the primary fiber. The General Interpretive Rules (GIRs), particularly GIR 3, are crucial for proper classification of composite goods or mixtures, preventing misclassification between raw materials and finished goods, or between different fiber types.
Headings in This Chapter 13
Industry
This code belongs to the Textiles & Clothing industry.
Trade Overview
Major exporters of goods under Chapter 51 include Australia and New Zealand for wool; China and Mongolia for cashmere; and Peru and Bolivia for alpaca. South Africa is a significant exporter of mohair. The primary importing nations are typically those with advanced textile manufacturing industries, such as China (for processing and re-export), Italy, Japan, the United States, and Germany, which transform these raw materials into high-value textiles and garments. Many of these goods benefit from preferential tariffs under various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) schemes, especially between producing countries and major textile hubs. Traders should also be aware of evolving environmental and animal welfare standards, which can impact market access and consumer demand in key importing regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 51?
HS code 51 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn and woven fabric. Chapter 51 of the Harmonized System (HS) is dedicated to “Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn and woven fabric.” This critical chapter encompasses natural animal fibers derived from various sources, making it a cornerstone for the global textile industry. Its scope includes raw, processed (such as carded or combed), spun, and woven forms of wool from sheep or lambs, as well as fine animal hair from animals like alpaca, llama, vicuña, yak, goat (e.g., cashmere, mohair, angora), and camel. Additionally, it covers coarse animal hair, typically from equines (horses), bovine animals, and other species, along with horsehair yarn and woven fabrics made from any of these specified animal hairs. The boundaries of this classification are precise: it covers the fibers and their direct transformations into yarn and basic woven fabrics. It distinctly excludes synthetic or artificial fibers, as well as blends where the animal hair is not the predominant component by weight or character. Furthermore, finished articles, garments, or knitted/crocheted fabrics made from these materials fall into subsequent chapters (e.g., Chapters 60-63 of Section XI). Key sub-categories within Chapter 51 include raw wool and fine animal hair (greasy, shorn, scoured), their waste products, yarns made from these materials, and finally, woven fabrics. Classification under this chapter is paramount for trade compliance, directly influencing import duties, eligibility for preferential trade agreements, anti-dumping measures, and adherence to specific textile labeling and origin rules. Historically, wool and animal hairs have been essential commodities, driving economies in countries with large livestock populations, and continue to be vital for both mass-market and luxury textile production worldwide.
What products fall under HS code 51?
Greasy shorn Merino wool, scoured lamb's wool, carded alpaca hair, combed cashmere, raw yak hair, dehaired camel hair, angora goat hair, horse mane hair, horse tail hair, fine animal hair waste, coarse animal hair waste, wool yarn for knitting, worsted wool yarn, alpaca yarn for weaving, cashmere yarn for luxury sweaters, horsehair yarn for interlinings, woven fabric of pure new wool, tartan wool fabric, fine gabardine wool fabric, alpaca suiting fabric, cashmere coating fabric, mohair yarn, vicuña yarn, felted wool fabric (not needleloom).
What are common misclassifications for HS code 51?
A common mistake in classifying products under Chapter 51 involves confusing raw or semi-processed fibers and fabrics with finished textile articles. For instance, a pure wool sweater (HS 61.10) or a wool blanket (HS 63.01) should never be classified in Chapter 51, which is reserved for the raw materials, yarn, and basic woven fabrics. Another frequent error occurs with blended textiles; if wool or animal hair is not the predominant component by weight or character, the product might fall into other chapters, such as Chapter 55 for man-made staple fibers or Chapter 52 for cotton, if those fibers dominate. Confusion also arises with Chapter 50 (Silk) if the animal hair has a silken luster or is blended with silk, requiring careful identification of the primary fiber. The General Interpretive Rules (GIRs), particularly GIR 3, are crucial for proper classification of composite goods or mixtures, preventing misclassification between raw materials and finished goods, or between different fiber types.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 51?
Major exporters of goods under Chapter 51 include Australia and New Zealand for wool; China and Mongolia for cashmere; and Peru and Bolivia for alpaca. South Africa is a significant exporter of mohair. The primary importing nations are typically those with advanced textile manufacturing industries, such as China (for processing and re-export), Italy, Japan, the United States, and Germany, which transform these raw materials into high-value textiles and garments. Many of these goods benefit from preferential tariffs under various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) schemes, especially between producing countries and major textile hubs. Traders should also be aware of evolving environmental and animal welfare standards, which can impact market access and consumer demand in key importing regions.
How is HS code 51 structured?
HS code 51 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.