HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 5205.21 – Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, measuring 714.29 decitex or more, (not exceeding 14 metric number), not for retail sale

HS code 5205.21 is the 6-digit subheading for cotton yarn, (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, measuring 714.29 decitex or more, (not exceeding 14 metric number), not for retail sale. It is used for coarse combed cotton yarn (single), heavy-duty combed cotton yarn, denim warp yarn (combed), canvas yarn (combed) and terry towel yarn (combed).

What HS 5205.21 covers

This HS code specifies single cotton yarn, made from combed fibers, with a high cotton content (85% or more by weight), and a coarse count (714.29 decitex or more, equivalent to 14 metric number or less). Crucially, it is not sewing thread and is not put up for retail sale, indicating its use as an industrial raw material. Combed cotton yarn is known for its smoothness, strength, and reduced impurities, making it suitable for high-quality textiles. This yarn is a fundamental input for weaving and knitting mills globally, producing durable fabrics for apparel, home textiles, and industrial applications. Major importers are countries with large textile manufacturing sectors, particularly in Asia, which process the yarn into finished goods. Exporters are often nations with strong cotton cultivation and spinning capabilities. Trade considerations include yarn count consistency, strength, evenness, and adherence to quality standards.

Covers
  • Coarse combed cotton yarn (single)
  • Heavy-duty combed cotton yarn
  • Denim warp yarn (combed)
  • Canvas yarn (combed)
  • Terry towel yarn (combed)
  • Upholstery fabric yarn (combed)
  • Industrial fabric yarn (combed)
Examples
  • Vardhman Textiles (yarns)
  • Huafu Fashion (yarns)
  • Texhong Textile Group (yarns)
  • Arvind Limited (yarns)
  • Welspun India (sources yarn)

Codes often confused with 5205.21

Common mistake. This code can be confused with 520522-520528 (other single combed cotton yarns of different counts) if the specific decitex/metric number range is not precisely matched, or with 520531 (multiple/cabled uncombed yarn) if the "single" and "combed" attributes are overlooked.

5205.22Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 714.29 but not less than 232.56 decitex (exceeding 14 but not exceeding 43 metric number), not for retail sale5205.28Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, measuring less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number), not for retail sale5205.31Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 714.29 decitex or more (not exceeding 14 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale

Top exporters and importers of HS code 520521, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520521 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 50% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 36% 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. 1 China $22M
  2. 2 Hong Kong $5.6M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$3.4M

World total: $43M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Bangladesh* ~$17M
  2. 2 Hong Kong $8.4M
  3. 3 China $3.5M

World total: $48M 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 5205.21

Brazil does not split HS 5205.21: its NCM code is 5205.21.00.

  1. 5205.21.00 Single combed cotton yarn 85%+, up to Nm 14De título igual ou superior a 714,29 decitex (número métrico não superior a 14)

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 52.05 →

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

Questions about HS 5205.21

What is HS code 520521?

HS code 520521 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, measuring 714.29 decitex or more, (not exceeding 14 metric number), not for retail sale. This HS code specifies single cotton yarn, made from combed fibers, with a high cotton content (85% or more by weight), and a coarse count (714.29 decitex or more, equivalent to 14 metric number or less). Crucially, it is not sewing thread and is not put up for retail sale, indicating its use as an industrial raw material. Combed cotton yarn is known for its smoothness, strength, and reduced impurities, making it suitable for high-quality textiles. This yarn is a fundamental input for weaving and knitting mills globally, producing durable fabrics for apparel, home textiles, and industrial applications. Major importers are countries with large textile manufacturing sectors, particularly in Asia, which process the yarn into finished goods. Exporters are often nations with strong cotton cultivation and spinning capabilities. Trade considerations include yarn count consistency, strength, evenness, and adherence to quality standards.

What products fall under HS code 520521?

Coarse combed cotton yarn (single), Heavy-duty combed cotton yarn, Denim warp yarn (combed), Canvas yarn (combed), Terry towel yarn (combed), Upholstery fabric yarn (combed), Industrial fabric yarn (combed)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 520521?

This code can be confused with 520522-520528 (other single combed cotton yarns of different counts) if the specific decitex/metric number range is not precisely matched, or with 520531 (multiple/cabled uncombed yarn) if the "single" and "combed" attributes are overlooked.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520521?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520521 in UN Comtrade data were China ($22M, 50% of world exports), Hong Kong ($5.6M) and Vietnam (about $3.4M). World exports came to about $43M, 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 520521?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520521 in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $17M, 36% of world imports), Hong Kong ($8.4M) and China ($3.5M). World imports came to about $48M, 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 520521 structured?

HS code 520521 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (52) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520521?

In Brazil, HS code 520521 is NCM 5205.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.