HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 5205.48 – Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale

HS code 5205.48 is the 6-digit subheading for cotton yarn, (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale. It is used for superfine luxury shirting yarn, high-end fashion fabric yarn, ultra-high-count bed linen yarn, premium handkerchief fabric yarn and delicate lace yarn.

What HS 5205.48 covers

This HS code represents the finest of combed, multiple or cabled cotton yarns, not sewing thread, with 85% or more cotton by weight, and a fineness of less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale. Characterized by its extremely low decitex count, indicating exceptional fineness, this yarn is the raw material for the most exquisite and lightweight cotton fabrics, including luxury shirting, high-end fashion garments, and premium home textiles with incredibly high thread counts. Only a few specialized spinning mills globally, mainly in India, China, and Pakistan, possess the technology and expertise to produce such fine yarns consistently. Importers are typically high-fashion brands and luxury textile manufacturers in Europe, Japan, and the USA, who demand unparalleled quality, uniformity, and strength for their exclusive products. Trade in this segment is highly specialized and quality-driven.

Covers: Superfine luxury shirting yarn
High-end fashion fabric yarn
Ultra-high-count bed linen yarn
Premium handkerchief fabric yarn
Delicate lace yarn
Exquisite babywear yarn
Luxury dress fabric yarn
Examples: S. Kumars Nationwide (ultra-fine yarns)
Trident Group (luxury bed linen yarns)
Texhong Textile Group (specialty ultra-fine yarns)
Huafu Fashion (premium fashion yarns)

Codes often confused with 5205.48

Common mistake. Could be confused with 520535 (uncombed fibres of similar fineness) if the 'combed' attribute is not carefully checked, or 520411 for very fine sewing threads.

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

Top exporters and importers of HS code 520548, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520548 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 29% 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 $45M 33% of world exports
2 Egypt $29M 21% of world exports
3 Italy $25M 18% of world exports

World total: $137M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

1 Italy $34M 29% of world imports
2 Czechia $11M 9.7% of world imports
3 Portugal $7.3M 6.1% of world imports

World total: $119M 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 5205.48

Brazil does not split HS 5205.48: its NCM code is 5205.48.00.

5205.48.00 Plied combed cotton yarn 85%+, over Nm 120De título inferior a 83,33 decitex por fio simples (número métrico superior a 120, 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/520548/

{
  "code": "520548",
  "description": "Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale",
  "section": "XI",
  "parent": "5205"
}

API docs →

Questions about HS 5205.48

What is HS code 520548?

HS code 520548 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, less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale. This HS code represents the finest of combed, multiple or cabled cotton yarns, not sewing thread, with 85% or more cotton by weight, and a fineness of less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale. Characterized by its extremely low decitex count, indicating exceptional fineness, this yarn is the raw material for the most exquisite and lightweight cotton fabrics, including luxury shirting, high-end fashion garments, and premium home textiles with incredibly high thread counts. Only a few specialized spinning mills globally, mainly in India, China, and Pakistan, possess the technology and expertise to produce such fine yarns consistently. Importers are typically high-fashion brands and luxury textile manufacturers in Europe, Japan, and the USA, who demand unparalleled quality, uniformity, and strength for their exclusive products. Trade in this segment is highly specialized and quality-driven.

What products fall under HS code 520548?

Superfine luxury shirting yarn, high-end fashion fabric yarn, ultra-high-count bed linen yarn, premium handkerchief fabric yarn, delicate lace yarn, exquisite babywear yarn, luxury dress fabric yarn

What are common misclassifications for HS code 520548?

Could be confused with 520535 (uncombed fibres of similar fineness) if the 'combed' attribute is not carefully checked, or 520411 for very fine sewing threads.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520548?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520548 in UN Comtrade data were India ($45M, 33% of world exports), Egypt ($29M) and Italy ($25M). World exports came to about $137M, 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 520548?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520548 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($34M, 29% of world imports), Czechia ($11M) and Portugal ($7.3M). World imports came to about $119M, 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 520548 structured?

HS code 520548 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 (48) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520548?

In Brazil, HS code 520548 is NCM 5205.48.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.