HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 5402.31 – Yarn, synthetic; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), textured, of nylon or other polyamides, measuring per single yarn not more than 50 decitex, not for retail sale, not sewing thread

HS code 5402.31 is the 6-digit subheading for yarn, synthetic, filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), textured, of nylon or other polyamides, measuring per single yarn not more than 50 decitex, not for retail sale, not sewing thread. It is used for fine denier nylon textured yarn, polyamide microfilament yarn, stretch nylon hosiery yarn, textured polyamide yarn for seamless garments and nylon 6.6 textured yarn.

What HS 5402.31 covers

This HS code identifies fine, textured synthetic filament yarn made from nylon or other polyamides, specifically those with a linear density of 50 decitex or less per single yarn. The "textured" aspect means the yarn has undergone a process to introduce crimp, loops, or other physical modifications, giving it bulk, stretch, and a softer feel, mimicking natural fibers. These yarns are not for retail sale directly to consumers and are not used as sewing thread, indicating their role as an industrial input. They are primarily traded between yarn manufacturers, textile mills, and apparel producers globally. Importers are typically textile factories producing hosiery, activewear, seamless garments, and fine knitwear, valuing the yarn's elasticity, strength, and comfort properties. Exporters are often large chemical and textile companies in Asia and Europe with advanced synthetic fiber production capabilities. Understanding the decitex measurement is crucial for proper classification, as it dictates the fineness and potential end-use of the yarn.

Covers
  • Fine denier nylon textured yarn
  • Polyamide microfilament yarn
  • Stretch nylon hosiery yarn
  • Textured polyamide yarn for seamless garments
  • Nylon 6.6 textured yarn
  • Fine gauge polyamide knitting yarn
  • Microfiber nylon yarn
Examples
  • Invista (Lycra T400, though T400 is PBT/PET, Invista also makes nylon)
  • Hyosung (Creora Nylon)
  • RadiciGroup (Radilon)
  • Nilit (Nilit Nylon 6.6)
  • Ascend Performance Materials (Ascend Nylon)

Codes often confused with 5402.31

Common mistake. This code is often confused with 540232 (textured polyamide yarn >50 decitex) due to similar material but different fineness, or with 540245 (non-textured polyamide yarn) if the texturing process is overlooked.

5402.32Yarn, synthetic; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), textured, of nylon or other polyamides, measuring per single yarn more than 50 decitex, not for retail sale, not sewing thread5402.45Yarn, synthetic; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of nylon or other polymides (not high tenacity or textured), single, untwisted or twisted 50 turns or less per metre, not for retail sale, not sewing thread

Top exporters and importers of HS code 540231, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 540231 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 51% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 22% 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 $440M
  2. 2 Italy $94M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$61M

World total: $860M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Brazil $195M
  2. 2 Italy $87M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$66M

World total: $903M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 codes for 5402.31 3

Brazil splits HS 5402.31 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 5402.31.1 Of nylonDe náilon Group
  2. 5402.31.11 Dyed textured nylon yarn, up to 50 texTintos
  3. 5402.31.19 Undyed textured nylon yarn, up to 50 texOutros
  4. 5402.31.90 Textured non-nylon polyamide yarn, up to 50 texOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 54.02 →

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

Questions about HS 5402.31

What is HS code 540231?

HS code 540231 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Yarn, synthetic; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), textured, of nylon or other polyamides, measuring per single yarn not more than 50 decitex, not for retail sale, not sewing thread. This HS code identifies fine, textured synthetic filament yarn made from nylon or other polyamides, specifically those with a linear density of 50 decitex or less per single yarn. The "textured" aspect means the yarn has undergone a process to introduce crimp, loops, or other physical modifications, giving it bulk, stretch, and a softer feel, mimicking natural fibers. These yarns are not for retail sale directly to consumers and are not used as sewing thread, indicating their role as an industrial input. They are primarily traded between yarn manufacturers, textile mills, and apparel producers globally. Importers are typically textile factories producing hosiery, activewear, seamless garments, and fine knitwear, valuing the yarn's elasticity, strength, and comfort properties. Exporters are often large chemical and textile companies in Asia and Europe with advanced synthetic fiber production capabilities. Understanding the decitex measurement is crucial for proper classification, as it dictates the fineness and potential end-use of the yarn.

What products fall under HS code 540231?

Fine denier nylon textured yarn, Polyamide microfilament yarn, Stretch nylon hosiery yarn, Textured polyamide yarn for seamless garments, Nylon 6.6 textured yarn, Fine gauge polyamide knitting yarn, Microfiber nylon yarn

What are common misclassifications for HS code 540231?

This code is often confused with 540232 (textured polyamide yarn >50 decitex) due to similar material but different fineness, or with 540245 (non-textured polyamide yarn) if the texturing process is overlooked.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 540231?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 540231 in UN Comtrade data were China ($440M, 51% of world exports), Italy ($94M) and Taiwan (about $61M). World exports came to about $860M, 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 540231?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 540231 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($195M, 22% of world imports), Italy ($87M) and Vietnam (about $66M). World imports came to about $903M, 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 540231 structured?

HS code 540231 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (54) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) 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 540231?

Brazil splits HS code 540231 into 3 NCM codes: 5402.31.11 (Dyed textured nylon yarn, up to 50 tex), 5402.31.19 (Undyed textured nylon yarn, up to 50 tex), 5402.31.90 (Textured non-nylon polyamide yarn, up to 50 tex). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.