HS Code Heading

Yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale

51.06 Heading
Section XI — Textiles and textile articles

About HS Code 5106

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.

Products Under This Code

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.

Real World Examples

A textile mill in Scotland imports large cones of undyed carded Shetland wool yarn from the UK for weaving traditional tweed fabrics destined for fashion houses, often transported by truck across borders. A blanket manufacturer in Portugal sources bulk quantities of coarse carded wool yarn from Spain for the production of warm throws and bedspreads, typically moved via road freight within the EU. A carpet factory in Turkey imports industrial-grade carded wool yarn from New Zealand for tufting durable floor coverings, with shipments arriving by sea through the Mediterranean. An Indian company imports carded wool yarn from Australia for the manufacture of woolen shawls and stoles, utilizing sea freight routes.

Common Misclassification

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.

Subheadings 2

Industry

This code belongs to the Textiles & Clothing industry.

Trade Overview

Major producers and exporters of carded wool yarn include the UK, New Zealand, Australia, and China, often leveraging their raw wool resources. Significant importers are countries with robust textile manufacturing sectors such as Italy, China, Turkey, and Portugal, where the yarn is processed into finished goods. Trade agreements, particularly within regional blocs like the EU, facilitate the movement of these industrial yarns with reduced tariffs. However, some countries may impose anti-dumping duties or specific quotas to protect domestic spinning industries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 5106?

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.

What products fall under HS code 5106?

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.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 5106?

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.

Which countries trade the most under HS code 5106?

Major producers and exporters of carded wool yarn include the UK, New Zealand, Australia, and China, often leveraging their raw wool resources. Significant importers are countries with robust textile manufacturing sectors such as Italy, China, Turkey, and Portugal, where the yarn is processed into finished goods. Trade agreements, particularly within regional blocs like the EU, facilitate the movement of these industrial yarns with reduced tariffs. However, some countries may impose anti-dumping duties or specific quotas to protect domestic spinning industries.

How is HS code 5106 structured?

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.