HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5109.90 – Yarn; of wool or of fine animal hair, containing less than 85% by weight of wool or fine animal hair, put up for retail sale
HS code 5109.90 is the 6-digit subheading for yarn, of wool or of fine animal hair, containing less than 85% by weight of wool or fine animal hair, put up for retail sale. It is used for wool-acrylic blend knitting yarn, merino-nylon sock yarn, alpaca-silk blend craft yarn, mohair-polyester blend yarn and cashmere-viscose blend yarn.
What HS 5109.90 covers
This category includes yarn made from wool or fine animal hair, but with a lower natural fiber content (less than 85% by weight), and specifically prepared for retail sale. These yarns are typically blended with other fibers, often man-made ones like acrylic, nylon, or polyester, to achieve specific properties such as increased durability, elasticity, washability, or to reduce cost. They are packaged for direct consumer purchase, targeting a broader market of knitters and crafters. Importers are mass-market yarn suppliers, craft store chains, and department stores, while exporters are large-scale yarn manufacturers. Key trade considerations include the blend composition, price point, color range, and suitability for various consumer-level craft projects, balancing natural fiber appeal with practical benefits of blends.
- Covers
- Wool-acrylic blend knitting yarn
- Merino-nylon sock yarn
- Alpaca-silk blend craft yarn
- Mohair-polyester blend yarn
- Cashmere-viscose blend yarn
- Wool-bamboo blend yarn
- Lambswool-acrylic blend yarn
- Examples
- Patons Yarn
- Bernat Yarn
- Red Heart Yarns (blended lines)
- Stylecraft Yarns
Codes often confused with 5109.90
Common mistake. Often confused with 510910 if the precise percentage of natural fiber content is not correctly identified, as the 'less than 85%' threshold is the defining characteristic. Accurate fiber analysis is essential for correct classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 510990, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 510990 in UN Comtrade data was Peru, with about 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Sweden, with 18% 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 Peru* ~$69M 21% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Italy $53M 16% of world exports
- 3 Norway $42M 13% of world exports
World total: $330M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Sweden $49M 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $47M 17% of world imports
- 3 Norway $45M 17% of world imports
World total: $272M 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 5109.90
Brazil does not split HS 5109.90: its NCM code is 5109.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 51.09 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5109.90
What is HS code 510990?
HS code 510990 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Yarn; of wool or of fine animal hair, containing less than 85% by weight of wool or fine animal hair, put up for retail sale. This category includes yarn made from wool or fine animal hair, but with a lower natural fiber content (less than 85% by weight), and specifically prepared for retail sale. These yarns are typically blended with other fibers, often man-made ones like acrylic, nylon, or polyester, to achieve specific properties such as increased durability, elasticity, washability, or to reduce cost. They are packaged for direct consumer purchase, targeting a broader market of knitters and crafters. Importers are mass-market yarn suppliers, craft store chains, and department stores, while exporters are large-scale yarn manufacturers. Key trade considerations include the blend composition, price point, color range, and suitability for various consumer-level craft projects, balancing natural fiber appeal with practical benefits of blends.
What products fall under HS code 510990?
Wool-acrylic blend knitting yarn, merino-nylon sock yarn, alpaca-silk blend craft yarn, mohair-polyester blend yarn, cashmere-viscose blend yarn, wool-bamboo blend yarn, lambswool-acrylic blend yarn
What are common misclassifications for HS code 510990?
Often confused with 510910 if the precise percentage of natural fiber content is not correctly identified, as the 'less than 85%' threshold is the defining characteristic. Accurate fiber analysis is essential for correct classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 510990?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 510990 in UN Comtrade data were Peru (about $69M, 21% of world exports), Italy ($53M) and Norway ($42M). World exports came to about $330M, 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 510990?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 510990 in UN Comtrade data were Sweden ($49M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($47M) and Norway ($45M). World imports came to about $272M, 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 510990 structured?
HS code 510990 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (51) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 510990?
In Brazil, HS code 510990 is NCM 5109.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.