HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5204.20 – Cotton; sewing thread, put up for retail sale
HS code 5204.20 is the 6-digit subheading for cotton, sewing thread, put up for retail sale. It is used for home sewing cotton thread, embroidery cotton thread, quilting cotton thread, mending cotton thread and craft cotton thread.
What HS 5204.20 covers
This HS code specifically covers cotton sewing thread that is packaged and presented for direct sale to consumers, distinguishing it from industrial bulk threads. This includes spools, reels, or skeins of various sizes commonly found in craft stores, haberdasheries, and supermarkets for home sewing, embroidery, quilting, and repair. The "put up for retail sale" aspect is critical, meaning it's ready for the end-user without further processing or repackaging. While the thread itself can be 100% cotton or a cotton blend, its retail presentation is the defining characteristic for this classification. Importers are typically countries with strong consumer markets for crafts and DIY textiles, including developed economies in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Exporters often include countries with established textile finishing and packaging industries, such as China, India, and various European nations known for their specialized thread brands. Key factors in this trade include brand recognition, color variety, spool size, and packaging appeal, as these directly influence consumer purchasing decisions.
- Covers
- Home sewing cotton thread
- Embroidery cotton thread
- Quilting cotton thread
- Mending cotton thread
- Craft cotton thread
- Assorted cotton thread packs
- Organic cotton thread (retail)
- Examples
- Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP
- Gütermann Sew-All
- DMC Embroidery Floss
- Aunt Lydia's Crochet Thread
Codes often confused with 5204.20
Common mistake. This code is often confused with HS 520411 or 520419 if the retail packaging is overlooked, or if the thread is mistakenly considered industrial despite its presentation. It's also distinct from other cotton yarns (HS 5205) not intended as sewing thread.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 520420, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520420 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 China $13M 31% of world exports
- 2 India $9.6M 23% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $2.7M 6.5% of world exports
World total: $41M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $6.1M 14% of world imports
- 2 Portugal $3.8M 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Guatemala $2.9M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $45M 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 code for 5204.20
Brazil does not split HS 5204.20: its NCM code is 5204.20.00.
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 5204.20
What is HS code 520420?
HS code 520420 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cotton; sewing thread, put up for retail sale. This HS code specifically covers cotton sewing thread that is packaged and presented for direct sale to consumers, distinguishing it from industrial bulk threads. This includes spools, reels, or skeins of various sizes commonly found in craft stores, haberdasheries, and supermarkets for home sewing, embroidery, quilting, and repair. The "put up for retail sale" aspect is critical, meaning it's ready for the end-user without further processing or repackaging. While the thread itself can be 100% cotton or a cotton blend, its retail presentation is the defining characteristic for this classification. Importers are typically countries with strong consumer markets for crafts and DIY textiles, including developed economies in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Exporters often include countries with established textile finishing and packaging industries, such as China, India, and various European nations known for their specialized thread brands. Key factors in this trade include brand recognition, color variety, spool size, and packaging appeal, as these directly influence consumer purchasing decisions.
What products fall under HS code 520420?
Home sewing cotton thread, Embroidery cotton thread, Quilting cotton thread, Mending cotton thread, Craft cotton thread, Assorted cotton thread packs, Organic cotton thread (retail)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 520420?
This code is often confused with HS 520411 or 520419 if the retail packaging is overlooked, or if the thread is mistakenly considered industrial despite its presentation. It's also distinct from other cotton yarns (HS 5205) not intended as sewing thread.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520420?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520420 in UN Comtrade data were China ($13M, 31% of world exports), India ($9.6M) and the Netherlands ($2.7M). World exports came to about $41M, 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 520420?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520420 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($6.1M, 14% of world imports), Portugal ($3.8M) and Guatemala ($2.9M). World imports came to about $45M, 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 520420 structured?
HS code 520420 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 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520420?
In Brazil, HS code 520420 is NCM 5204.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.