HS Code 51.06 – Yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale

HS code 5106 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale. Heading 5106 specifically covers yarn made from carded wool, provided it is not put up for retail sale. This classification is crucial for industrial-grade wool yarns, distinguishing them by the processing method of the wool fibers (carded versus combed) and their packaging (bulk for manufacturing versus small units for consumers). Carded wool yarn, often referred to as woolen yarn, typically has a fuller, softer, and hairier appearance due to the presence of shorter fibers and less parallel alignment compared to combed wool yarn. It is commonly used in products requiring warmth and bulk, such as blankets, tweeds, felts, and certain types of knitwear. The 'not put up for retail sale' clause is vital, meaning the yarn is supplied in large quantities, typically on cones, industrial bobbins, or in large hanks, intended for further manufacturing processes like weaving, knitting, or tufting. Accurate classification under this heading is essential for trade compliance, affecting duties, quotas, and origin declarations. It positions the product as an intermediate good within the textile value chain, derived from processed wool fibers (as per 5105) and ready for fabric production, thereby fitting squarely within Chapter 51's scope of wool products.

Industrial carded wool yarn on cones, woolen yarn for blanket manufacturing, coarse carded wool yarn for carpets, undyed carded wool yarn in large hanks, dyed carded wool yarn for upholstery, single-ply carded wool yarn for weaving, plied carded wool yarn for knitting mills, tweed yarn (carded wool) for apparel, carded Shetland wool yarn for outerwear, lamb's wool yarn (carded, industrial), recycled carded wool yarn for sustainable textiles, feltable carded wool yarn, chunky carded wool yarn for industrial use, blend of carded wool and synthetic fibers (wool predominates), carded wool yarn for industrial felting, heavy gauge carded wool yarn, melton wool yarn (carded), carded wool yarn for military blankets, natural colored carded wool yarn, carded wool yarn for handloom weaving, semi-worsted carded wool yarn, industrial wool rug yarn, carded wool yarn for automotive textiles, carded wool yarn for technical fabrics.

The most common misclassification for 5106 involves confusing it with **5107 (Yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale)**. The distinction lies in the origin of the wool: 5106 is from *carded* wool, which is generally bulkier and less refined, while 5107 is from *combed* wool, which is smoother and more uniform. Another frequent error is classifying it under **5109 (Yarn of wool or of fine animal hair, put up for retail sale)**; 5106 is strictly for industrial use, not packaged for individual consumers. Lastly, sometimes it's mistakenly identified as **5105 (Carded or combed wool)**, which refers to the unspun fiber, not the twisted yarn.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 5106 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($144M, 27% of world exports), China ($111M) and Lithuania ($92M). World exports came to about $532M, 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 5106 in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($78M, 15% of world imports), Vietnam (about $33M) and Hong Kong ($33M). World imports came to about $506M, 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 5106 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 51 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (51) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (06) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.