HS Code 51.10 – Yarn of coarse animal hair or of horsehair (including gimped horsehair yarn), whether or not put up for retail sale

HS code 5110 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Yarn of coarse animal hair or of horsehair (including gimped horsehair yarn), whether or not put up for retail sale. Heading 5110 in the Harmonized System (HS) encompasses 'Yarn of coarse animal hair or of horsehair (including gimped horsehair yarn), whether or not put up for retail sale.' This classification is crucial for distinguishing yarns made from specific animal fibers from more common wool or fine animal hair yarns. Coarse animal hair typically includes fibers from animals like certain goats (e.g., common goat hair, not fine cashmere or mohair), camels, alpacas, llamas, yaks, or even angora rabbits when their hair is not considered 'fine.' Horsehair, known for its stiffness and resilience, is also specifically included, alongside 'gimped horsehair yarn,' which refers to yarn with a core wrapped by other fibers, often for decorative or structural purposes. The 'whether or not put up for retail sale' clause indicates that both bulk industrial yarns and smaller skeins or balls for craft or consumer use fall under this heading. This distinction is vital for accurate customs duties, trade statistics, and compliance with regulations specific to these unique fibers. Historically, these yarns have been used in specialized textiles, durable fabrics, brushes, and traditional crafts, reflecting their unique textural and strength properties. This heading forms part of Chapter 51, which covers 'Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn and woven fabric,' thus providing a specific niche for these less common, yet significant, animal fiber yarns within the broader textile sector.

Yarn of common goat hair, Yak hair yarn for weaving, Alpaca coarse hair yarn for industrial use, Llama coarse hair yarn, Camel coarse hair yarn for upholstery, Horsehair yarn for brushes, Gimped horsehair yarn for interlinings, Coarse angora rabbit hair yarn, Horsehair yarn for decorative trim, Bulk spools of coarse animal hair yarn, Small skeins of horsehair yarn for crafts, Yarn of coarse animal hair for carpet backing, Blended coarse animal hair and horsehair yarn, Horsehair yarn for fishing nets, Coarse animal hair yarn for industrial felts, Gimped horsehair yarn for hat brims, Coarse goat hair yarn for traditional rugs, Horsehair yarn for violin bows, Coarse animal hair yarn for insulation, Gimped horsehair yarn for furniture, Coarse animal hair yarn for tapestries, Horsehair yarn for stiffness in apparel, Coarse camel hair yarn for durable outerwear, Blended coarse animal hair yarn for specialty textiles, Horsehair yarn for strengthening fabrics

Common misclassifications under HS 5110 often involve confusing coarse animal hair yarns with fine animal hair yarns (e.g., cashmere, mohair, classified under 5108 or 5109) or even wool yarns (5106 or 5107). Traders might incorrectly classify these due to a lack of precise identification of the animal fiber's coarseness or an oversight of the 'gimped' horsehair distinction. Another mistake is classifying synthetic yarns designed to mimic coarse animal hair (e.g., acrylic, polypropylene yarns, under Chapter 55) or vegetable fiber yarns (e.g., jute, sisal, under Chapter 53) under this heading. The key differentiator is the specific animal origin and the 'coarse' characteristic, which requires careful analysis of the fiber's micron count and other physical properties to ensure correct classification.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 5110 in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($886K, 44% of world exports), Italy ($547K) and South Africa ($169K). World exports came to about $2.0M, 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 5110 in UN Comtrade data were Sweden ($1.8M, 30% of world imports), China ($958K) and Belgium ($928K). World imports came to about $5.9M, 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.

HS code 5110 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 51 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (51) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (10) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.