HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 5205.46 – Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 124 to 106.38 decitex (81 to 94 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale

HS code 5205.46 is the 6-digit subheading for cotton yarn, (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 124 to 106.38 decitex (81 to 94 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale. It is used for very fine combed shirting yarn, luxury blouse fabric yarn, high-count percale yarn, premium knitted fabric yarn and delicate dress fabric yarn.

What HS 5205.46 covers

This category represents very fine, multiple or cabled cotton yarn, not sewing thread, of combed fibres, with 85% or more cotton by weight, and a fineness between 124 and 106.38 decitex (81 to 94 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale. Valued for its exceptional smoothness, strength, and minimal impurities, all benefits of the combing process, it is primarily used in the production of high-end, lightweight fabrics for luxury apparel, such as fine shirting, delicate blouses, and premium knitted wear, as well as high-thread-count home textiles. International trade involves specialized textile manufacturers in developed markets and emerging economies importing this yarn from leading spinning countries like India, China, and Pakistan. Key trade considerations include yarn count precision, twist uniformity, and the ability to meet stringent quality standards for sophisticated textile machinery and high-value end products.

Covers: Very fine combed shirting yarn
Luxury blouse fabric yarn
High-count percale yarn
Premium knitted fabric yarn
Delicate dress fabric yarn
Fine voile yarn
High-end lawn fabric yarn
Examples: S. Kumars Nationwide (fine yarns for apparel)
Trident Group (high-count bed linen yarns)
Texhong Textile Group (ultra-fine cotton yarns)
Huafu Fashion (specialty fine yarns)

Codes often confused with 5205.46

Common mistake. Could be confused with 520535 (uncombed fibres of similar fineness) due to similar decitex, but the 'combed' attribute is the critical differentiator.

5205.35Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), per single yarn, not for retail sale

Top exporters and importers of HS code 520546, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520546 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 21% 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 India $6.1M 35% of world exports
2 Vietnam* ~$3.3M 19% of world exports · partner records ↗
3 China $1.6M 8.9% of world exports

World total: $18M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

1 China $4.2M 21% of world imports
2 Portugal $2.3M 12% of world imports
3 Italy $2.0M 10% of world imports

World total: $20M 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 5205.46

Brazil does not split HS 5205.46: its NCM code is 5205.46.00.

5205.46.00 Plied combed cotton yarn 85%+, Nm 80–94De título inferior a 125 decitex, mas não inferior a 106,38 decitex por fio simples (número métrico superior a 80, mas não superior a 94, 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.

Access via API

GET /api/hs-code/520546/

{
  "code": "520546",
  "description": "Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 124 to 106.38 decitex (81 to 94 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale",
  "section": "XI",
  "parent": "5205"
}

API docs →

Questions about HS 5205.46

What is HS code 520546?

HS code 520546 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 124 to 106.38 decitex (81 to 94 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale. This category represents very fine, multiple or cabled cotton yarn, not sewing thread, of combed fibres, with 85% or more cotton by weight, and a fineness between 124 and 106.38 decitex (81 to 94 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale. Valued for its exceptional smoothness, strength, and minimal impurities, all benefits of the combing process, it is primarily used in the production of high-end, lightweight fabrics for luxury apparel, such as fine shirting, delicate blouses, and premium knitted wear, as well as high-thread-count home textiles. International trade involves specialized textile manufacturers in developed markets and emerging economies importing this yarn from leading spinning countries like India, China, and Pakistan. Key trade considerations include yarn count precision, twist uniformity, and the ability to meet stringent quality standards for sophisticated textile machinery and high-value end products.

What products fall under HS code 520546?

Very fine combed shirting yarn, luxury blouse fabric yarn, high-count percale yarn, premium knitted fabric yarn, delicate dress fabric yarn, fine voile yarn, high-end lawn fabric yarn

What are common misclassifications for HS code 520546?

Could be confused with 520535 (uncombed fibres of similar fineness) due to similar decitex, but the 'combed' attribute is the critical differentiator.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520546?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520546 in UN Comtrade data were India ($6.1M, 35% of world exports), Vietnam (about $3.3M) and China ($1.6M). World exports came to about $18M, 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 520546?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520546 in UN Comtrade data were China ($4.2M, 21% of world imports), Portugal ($2.3M) and Italy ($2.0M). World imports came to about $20M, 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 520546 structured?

HS code 520546 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 (46) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520546?

In Brazil, HS code 520546 is NCM 5205.46.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.