HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 5205.31 – Cotton 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

HS code 5205.31 is the 6-digit subheading for cotton 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. It is used for heavy-duty denim yarn, industrial canvas yarn, upholstery fabric yarn, workwear fabric yarn and carpet backing yarn.

What HS 5205.31 covers

This code covers heavy, coarse, multiple or cabled cotton yarn, made from uncombed fibers, with a high cotton content (85%+). It's not for retail and not sewing thread. This type of yarn is a crucial intermediate product in the textile industry, primarily used for manufacturing durable and robust fabrics. Importers are typically large-scale textile mills, weaving factories, and industrial manufacturers who require strong, thick yarns for specific applications. Exporters are often countries with significant raw cotton production and established spinning industries, such as India, Pakistan, China, and Turkey. Key things to know include its industrial-grade nature, its use in heavy-duty textiles like denim or canvas, and the importance of fiber quality and yarn count in determining its end-use and market value. The "uncombed" aspect indicates a less refined, more cost-effective yarn suitable for applications where extreme smoothness isn't paramount. Its "multiple or cabled" structure provides added strength and bulk.

Covers
  • Heavy-duty denim yarn
  • Industrial canvas yarn
  • Upholstery fabric yarn
  • Workwear fabric yarn
  • Carpet backing yarn
  • Rope manufacturing yarn
  • Thick knitting yarn
Examples
  • Vardhman Textiles coarse yarn
  • Huafu Fashion industrial cotton yarn
  • Trident Group heavy count yarn
  • Welspun India uncombed cabled yarn

Codes often confused with 5205.31

Common mistake. This code can be confused with 520521 (single uncombed cotton yarn of similar count) or 520541 (combed multiple cotton yarn of similar count) if the yarn structure (single vs. multiple/cabled) or combing status is overlooked.

5205.21Cotton 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 sale5205.41Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed 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 520531, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520531 in UN Comtrade data was El Salvador, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% 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 El Salvador $4.0M
  2. 2 United States $2.9M
  3. 3 Spain $2.5M

World total: $22M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $5.2M
  2. 2 Canada $1.7M
  3. 3 Bulgaria $1.6M

World total: $21M 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 5205.31

Brazil does not split HS 5205.31: its NCM code is 5205.31.00.

  1. 5205.31.00 Plied uncombed cotton yarn 85%+, up to Nm 14De título igual ou superior a 714,29 decitex por fio simples (número métrico não superior a 14, por fio simples)

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 5205.31

What is HS code 520531?

HS code 520531 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cotton 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. This code covers heavy, coarse, multiple or cabled cotton yarn, made from uncombed fibers, with a high cotton content (85%+). It's not for retail and not sewing thread. This type of yarn is a crucial intermediate product in the textile industry, primarily used for manufacturing durable and robust fabrics. Importers are typically large-scale textile mills, weaving factories, and industrial manufacturers who require strong, thick yarns for specific applications. Exporters are often countries with significant raw cotton production and established spinning industries, such as India, Pakistan, China, and Turkey. Key things to know include its industrial-grade nature, its use in heavy-duty textiles like denim or canvas, and the importance of fiber quality and yarn count in determining its end-use and market value. The "uncombed" aspect indicates a less refined, more cost-effective yarn suitable for applications where extreme smoothness isn't paramount. Its "multiple or cabled" structure provides added strength and bulk.

What products fall under HS code 520531?

Heavy-duty denim yarn, industrial canvas yarn, upholstery fabric yarn, workwear fabric yarn, carpet backing yarn, rope manufacturing yarn, thick knitting yarn

What are common misclassifications for HS code 520531?

This code can be confused with 520521 (single uncombed cotton yarn of similar count) or 520541 (combed multiple cotton yarn of similar count) if the yarn structure (single vs. multiple/cabled) or combing status is overlooked.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520531?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520531 in UN Comtrade data were El Salvador ($4.0M, 18% of world exports), the United States ($2.9M) and Spain ($2.5M). World exports came to about $22M, 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 520531?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520531 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($5.2M, 24% of world imports), Canada ($1.7M) and Bulgaria ($1.6M). World imports came to about $21M, 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 520531 structured?

HS code 520531 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520531?

In Brazil, HS code 520531 is NCM 5205.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.