HS Code 51.05 – Wool and fine or coarse animal hair; carded or combed (including combed wool in fragments)

HS code 5105 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Wool and fine or coarse animal hair; carded or combed (including combed wool in fragments). Heading 5105 encompasses wool and fine or coarse animal hair that has undergone preliminary processing, specifically being carded or combed. This classification is critical for semi-processed textile raw materials, distinguishing them from raw, greasy, or merely washed fibers (like those in 5101 and 5102) and fully spun yarns (like those in 5106-5109). 'Carding' involves disentangling and aligning fibers into a web or sliver, while 'combing' is a more refined process that further aligns fibers parallel, removes short fibers (noils), and produces a smooth 'top' or 'sliver' suitable for worsted spinning. The inclusion of 'combed wool in fragments' accounts for specific forms resulting from this refining process. This heading is pivotal for importers and exporters involved in the upstream textile supply chain, as it dictates the customs duties, import regulations, and trade compliance requirements for these valuable intermediate goods. Proper classification ensures accurate valuation, eligibility for preferential trade agreements, and adherence to origin rules. Historically, the trade of carded and combed wool has been central to global textile manufacturing, with major wool-producing nations supplying highly processed fibers to spinning mills worldwide. This heading forms the direct precursor to yarn production, thus relating intrinsically to Chapter 51's overall focus on wool and animal hair products by defining the state of the fiber ready for the next manufacturing stage.

Carded merino wool sliver, combed cashmere tops, alpaca rovings, mohair sliver, yak wool bumps, angora rabbit hair sliver, camel hair tops, dehaired cashmere sliver, fine wool tops for worsted spinning, coarse animal hair rovings for carpets, combed wool fragments, prepared wool for spinning, wool lap for nonwovens, cashmere noils (if carded/combed), vicuña sliver, guanaco rovings, pre-spun wool fiber, dyed wool tops (carded/combed), undyed wool sliver (carded/combed), blended wool/animal hair tops (wool predominates), fine sheep wool sliver, coarse sheep wool rovings, carded lamb's wool, superfine merino tops, crossbred wool sliver.

Common misclassifications arise from confusing the processing stage. Traders often mistakenly classify products under **5101 (Raw wool, not carded or combed)** or **5102 (Fine/coarse animal hair, not carded or combed)**. The key distinction for 5105 is that the fibers *must* be carded or combed; raw or simply washed fibers fall into 5101/5102. Conversely, 5105 is sometimes confused with **5106, 5107, or 5108 (Yarn of wool or animal hair)**. The critical difference here is that 5105 refers to unspun fibers in sliver, roving, or top form, not yet twisted into yarn. Understanding the degree of mechanical processing is paramount to correct classification.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 5105 in UN Comtrade data were China ($674M, 40% of world exports), Mongolia (about $183M) and Germany ($134M). World exports came to about $1.7B, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 5105 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($365M, 24% of world imports), China ($293M) and Germany ($117M). World imports came to about $1.5B, 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.

HS code 5105 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 51 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (51) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (05) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.