HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5108.20 – Yarn; of fine animal hair, combed, not put up for retail sale
HS code 5108.20 is the 6-digit subheading for yarn, of fine animal hair, combed, not put up for retail sale. It is used for combed cashmere yarn, superfine alpaca yarn, worsted mohair yarn, combed vicuña yarn and baby camel hair combed yarn.
What HS 5108.20 covers
This category encompasses industrial yarn crafted from fine animal hair, such as cashmere, alpaca, or mohair, that has been 'combed.' Combing is a more refined process than carding, removing shorter fibers and impurities, aligning the remaining long fibers parallel to each other. This results in a smoother, stronger, and more lustrous 'worsted' yarn, highly prized for luxury textiles. These yarns are not for retail sale but are supplied to high-end textile manufacturers. Major exporters include specialized yarn producers in Italy and China, while importers are typically luxury fashion houses and premium garment makers globally. Key considerations in this trade involve fiber fineness, consistency, ethical sourcing, and the specific technical specifications required for high-performance or luxury fabric production.
- Covers
- Combed cashmere yarn
- Superfine alpaca yarn
- Worsted mohair yarn
- Combed vicuña yarn
- Baby camel hair combed yarn
- Qiviut combed yarn
- Guanaco combed yarn
- Examples
- Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia (combed yarns)
- Biella Yarn (luxury combed yarns)
- Johnstons of Elgin (cashmere yarns)
Codes often confused with 5108.20
Common mistake. Often confused with 510810 (carded fine animal hair yarn) due to the shared raw material, but the 'combed' process yields a distinctly different, higher-quality yarn. Misclassification can occur if the processing method is not accurately identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 510820, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 510820 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 11% 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 Italy $52M 35% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $21M 14% of world exports
- 3 Peru* ~$20M 14% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $149M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $16M 11% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $14M 9.9% of world imports
- 3 United States $13M 9.2% of world imports
World total: $138M 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 5108.20
Brazil does not split HS 5108.20: its NCM code is 5108.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 51.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5108.20
What is HS code 510820?
HS code 510820 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Yarn; of fine animal hair, combed, not put up for retail sale. This category encompasses industrial yarn crafted from fine animal hair, such as cashmere, alpaca, or mohair, that has been 'combed.' Combing is a more refined process than carding, removing shorter fibers and impurities, aligning the remaining long fibers parallel to each other. This results in a smoother, stronger, and more lustrous 'worsted' yarn, highly prized for luxury textiles. These yarns are not for retail sale but are supplied to high-end textile manufacturers. Major exporters include specialized yarn producers in Italy and China, while importers are typically luxury fashion houses and premium garment makers globally. Key considerations in this trade involve fiber fineness, consistency, ethical sourcing, and the specific technical specifications required for high-performance or luxury fabric production.
What products fall under HS code 510820?
Combed cashmere yarn, superfine alpaca yarn, worsted mohair yarn, combed vicuña yarn, baby camel hair combed yarn, qiviut combed yarn, guanaco combed yarn
What are common misclassifications for HS code 510820?
Often confused with 510810 (carded fine animal hair yarn) due to the shared raw material, but the 'combed' process yields a distinctly different, higher-quality yarn. Misclassification can occur if the processing method is not accurately identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 510820?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 510820 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($52M, 35% of world exports), Hong Kong ($21M) and Peru (about $20M). World exports came to about $149M, 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 510820?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 510820 in UN Comtrade data were China ($16M, 11% of world imports), Hong Kong ($14M) and the United States ($13M). World imports came to about $138M, 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 510820 structured?
HS code 510820 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (51) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 510820?
In Brazil, HS code 510820 is NCM 5108.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.