HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5105.40 – Hair; coarse animal hair, carded or combed
HS code 5105.40 is the 6-digit subheading for hair, coarse animal hair, carded or combed. It is used for carded horsehair, combed camel hair (coarse), cattle hair for felting, goat hair (coarse) for brushes and yak hair carded.
What HS 5105.40 covers
This HS code covers coarse animal hair that has been carded or combed. Unlike fine animal hairs, coarse hair typically comes from animals like horses, cattle, camels (other than fine camel hair), and certain sheep breeds, and is characterized by its thicker diameter and greater resilience. The carding and combing processes prepare these fibers by disentangling, cleaning, and aligning them, making them suitable for various industrial and textile applications. In international trade, coarse animal hair is a versatile raw material used in products where durability, stiffness, or specific textures are required, rather than softness. Applications include interlinings, brushes, felts, upholstery stuffing, carpets, and specialized industrial textiles. Major importers are manufacturers in countries with diverse industrial bases, such as China, Germany, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries with significant livestock populations and processing capabilities. The trade in coarse animal hair is driven by industrial demand and its functional properties.
- Covers
- Carded horsehair
- Combed camel hair (coarse)
- Cattle hair for felting
- Goat hair (coarse) for brushes
- Yak hair carded
- Coarse sheep wool (non-apparel)
- Bristle fiber
- Examples
- Horsehair for upholstery
- Camel hair for interlinings
- Goat hair for paint brushes
- Yak hair for traditional textiles
- Coarse wool for carpet backing
Codes often confused with 5105.40
Common mistake. This code is clearly differentiated from 510531 (cashmere) and 510539 (other fine animal hair) by the "coarse" nature of the hair, which dictates different processing and end-uses.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 510540, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 510540 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 66% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 39% 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 $3.9M 66% of world exports
- 2 Mongolia* ~$639K 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 South Africa $512K 8.8% of world exports
World total: $5.8M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $1.5M 39% of world imports
- 2 Norway $1.0M 26% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $577K 15% of world imports
World total: $3.9M 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 5105.40
Brazil does not split HS 5105.40: its NCM code is 5105.40.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 51.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5105.40
What is HS code 510540?
HS code 510540 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Hair; coarse animal hair, carded or combed. This HS code covers coarse animal hair that has been carded or combed. Unlike fine animal hairs, coarse hair typically comes from animals like horses, cattle, camels (other than fine camel hair), and certain sheep breeds, and is characterized by its thicker diameter and greater resilience. The carding and combing processes prepare these fibers by disentangling, cleaning, and aligning them, making them suitable for various industrial and textile applications. In international trade, coarse animal hair is a versatile raw material used in products where durability, stiffness, or specific textures are required, rather than softness. Applications include interlinings, brushes, felts, upholstery stuffing, carpets, and specialized industrial textiles. Major importers are manufacturers in countries with diverse industrial bases, such as China, Germany, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries with significant livestock populations and processing capabilities. The trade in coarse animal hair is driven by industrial demand and its functional properties.
What products fall under HS code 510540?
Carded horsehair, Combed camel hair (coarse), Cattle hair for felting, Goat hair (coarse) for brushes, Yak hair carded, Coarse sheep wool (non-apparel), Bristle fiber
What are common misclassifications for HS code 510540?
This code is clearly differentiated from 510531 (cashmere) and 510539 (other fine animal hair) by the "coarse" nature of the hair, which dictates different processing and end-uses.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 510540?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 510540 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.9M, 66% of world exports), Mongolia (about $639K) and South Africa ($512K). World exports came to about $5.8M, 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 510540?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 510540 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.5M, 39% of world imports), Norway ($1.0M) and South Korea ($577K). World imports came to about $3.9M, 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 510540 structured?
HS code 510540 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (51) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 510540?
In Brazil, HS code 510540 is NCM 5105.40.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.