HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 5204.11 – Cotton; sewing thread, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale

HS code 5204.11 is the 6-digit subheading for cotton, sewing thread, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale. It is used for industrial cotton sewing thread, bulk cotton thread, high-strength cotton thread, mercerized cotton thread (industrial) and unbleached cotton thread (industrial).

What HS 5204.11 covers

This HS code covers industrial-grade cotton sewing thread, specifically those composed of 85% or more cotton by weight, and importantly, not packaged for direct consumer purchase. This type of thread is a fundamental input for large-scale textile and garment manufacturing operations globally. It's designed for high-speed industrial sewing machines used in factories producing apparel, home textiles, and various sewn goods. Manufacturers value its strength, natural feel, and dye-ability. Major importers are countries with robust garment industries, such as China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and India, where vast quantities are consumed daily. Exporters typically include nations with advanced textile spinning and finishing capabilities, like India, China, Pakistan, and Turkey. Key considerations in this trade involve thread count, tensile strength, color fastness, and consistency, as these factors directly impact production efficiency and the quality of finished products. The "not put up for retail sale" aspect distinguishes it from consumer-packaged threads, emphasizing its bulk, industrial application.

Covers
  • Industrial cotton sewing thread
  • Bulk cotton thread
  • High-strength cotton thread
  • Mercerized cotton thread (industrial)
  • Unbleached cotton thread (industrial)
  • Dyed cotton thread (industrial)
  • Organic cotton sewing thread (industrial)
Examples
  • Coats Industrial Threads
  • A&E (American & Efird)
  • Vardhman Textiles
  • Kordsa Global (for technical textiles)

Codes often confused with 5204.11

Common mistake. This code is often confused with HS 520419 (cotton sewing thread with less than 85% cotton) due to similar appearance, or with HS 520420 if mistakenly packaged for retail. It's also distinct from general cotton yarn (HS 5205) which is not specifically designed as sewing thread.

5204.19Cotton; sewing thread, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale5204.20Cotton; sewing thread, put up for retail sale52.05Cotton yarn (other than sewing thread), containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale

Top exporters and importers of HS code 520411, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520411 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Kenya, with 11% of world imports. Honduras did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 52% of its exports here ($2.1M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters. Costa Rica did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 54% of its imports here ($2.1M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $16M
  2. 2 Italy $6.4M
  3. 3 Guatemala $3.3M

Honduras did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 52% of its exports here ($2.1M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.

World total: $46M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Kenya $5.2M
  2. 2 United States $4.9M
  3. 3 Philippines $4.9M

Costa Rica did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 54% of its imports here ($2.1M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.

World total: $49M 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 codes for 5204.11 6

Brazil splits HS 5204.11 into 6 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 5204.11.1 Of unbleached cotton, measuring 5,000 decitex or less per single yarnDe algodão cru, de título inferior ou igual a 5.000 decitex por fio simples Group
  2. 5204.11.11 Unbleached cotton thread 85%+, 2-plyDe dois cabos
  3. 5204.11.12 Unbleached cotton thread 85%+, 3+ plyDe três ou mais cabos
  4. 5204.11.20 Unbleached cotton thread 85%+, over 500 texDe algodão cru, de título superior a 5.000 decitex por fio simples
  5. 5204.11.3 Of bleached or coloured cotton, measuring 5,000 decitex or less per single yarnDe algodão branqueado ou colorido, de título inferior ou igual a 5.000 decitex por fio simples Group
  6. 5204.11.31 Bleached/dyed cotton thread 85%+, 2-plyDe dois cabos
  7. 5204.11.32 Bleached/dyed cotton thread 85%+, 3+ plyDe três ou mais cabos
  8. 5204.11.40 Bleached/dyed cotton thread 85%+, over 500 texDe algodão branqueado ou colorido, de título superior a 5.000 decitex por fio simples

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 52.04 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 5204.11

What is HS code 520411?

HS code 520411 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cotton; sewing thread, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale. This HS code covers industrial-grade cotton sewing thread, specifically those composed of 85% or more cotton by weight, and importantly, not packaged for direct consumer purchase. This type of thread is a fundamental input for large-scale textile and garment manufacturing operations globally. It's designed for high-speed industrial sewing machines used in factories producing apparel, home textiles, and various sewn goods. Manufacturers value its strength, natural feel, and dye-ability. Major importers are countries with robust garment industries, such as China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and India, where vast quantities are consumed daily. Exporters typically include nations with advanced textile spinning and finishing capabilities, like India, China, Pakistan, and Turkey. Key considerations in this trade involve thread count, tensile strength, color fastness, and consistency, as these factors directly impact production efficiency and the quality of finished products. The "not put up for retail sale" aspect distinguishes it from consumer-packaged threads, emphasizing its bulk, industrial application.

What products fall under HS code 520411?

Industrial cotton sewing thread, Bulk cotton thread, High-strength cotton thread, Mercerized cotton thread (industrial), Unbleached cotton thread (industrial), Dyed cotton thread (industrial), Organic cotton sewing thread (industrial)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 520411?

This code is often confused with HS 520419 (cotton sewing thread with less than 85% cotton) due to similar appearance, or with HS 520420 if mistakenly packaged for retail. It's also distinct from general cotton yarn (HS 5205) which is not specifically designed as sewing thread.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520411?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520411 in UN Comtrade data were China ($16M, 35% of world exports), Italy ($6.4M) and Guatemala ($3.3M). World exports came to about $46M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Honduras did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 52% of its exports here ($2.1M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 520411?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520411 in UN Comtrade data were Kenya ($5.2M, 11% of world imports), the United States ($4.9M) and the Philippines ($4.9M). World imports came to about $49M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Costa Rica did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 54% of its imports here ($2.1M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.

How is HS code 520411 structured?

HS code 520411 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (52) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520411?

Brazil splits HS code 520411 into 6 NCM codes: 5204.11.11 (Unbleached cotton thread 85%+, 2-ply), 5204.11.12 (Unbleached cotton thread 85%+, 3+ ply), 5204.11.20 (Unbleached cotton thread 85%+, over 500 tex), 5204.11.31 (Bleached/dyed cotton thread 85%+, 2-ply), 5204.11.32 (Bleached/dyed cotton thread 85%+, 3+ ply), 5204.11.40 (Bleached/dyed cotton thread 85%+, over 500 tex). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.