HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 5402.48 – Yarn, synthetic; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of polypropylene (not high tenacity or textured), single, untwisted or twisted 50 turns or less per metre, not for retail sale, not sewing thread

HS code 5402.48 is the 6-digit subheading for yarn, synthetic, filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of polypropylene (not high tenacity or textured), single, untwisted or twisted 50 turns or less per metre, not for retail sale, not sewing thread. It is used for fine polypropylene monofilament yarn, polypropylene non-woven yarn, medical textile polypropylene yarn, filter fabric polypropylene yarn and lightweight webbing polypropylene yarn.

What HS 5402.48 covers

This category covers fine, single filament polypropylene yarns, characterized by their low decitex count (less than 67), indicating a very fine thread. These yarns are not high tenacity or textured, meaning they are typically smooth and designed for specific industrial or textile applications where fineness and polypropylene's inherent properties (lightweight, moisture-wicking, chemical resistance, low thermal conductivity) are crucial. They are traded in bulk, not for retail, and are not used as sewing thread. Importers are often manufacturers of technical textiles, non-woven fabrics, medical textiles, filter media, or specialized apparel components like base layers. Exporters are large petrochemical companies or synthetic yarn producers with advanced extrusion capabilities. Key trade aspects include the exact decitex, the level of twist (50 turns or less), and the specific polymer grade, which affects performance in the final product and its processing characteristics.

Covers
  • Fine polypropylene monofilament yarn
  • Polypropylene non-woven yarn
  • Medical textile polypropylene yarn
  • Filter fabric polypropylene yarn
  • Lightweight webbing polypropylene yarn
  • Technical apparel polypropylene yarn
  • Geotextile polypropylene yarn.
Examples
  • Invista (various synthetic yarns)
  • Toray Industries (polypropylene fibers)
  • Sioen Industries (technical textiles)
  • Fibertex Nonwovens
  • RadiciGroup.

Codes often confused with 5402.48

Common mistake. Often confused with 540249 (other synthetic monofilament yarns) if the specific polypropylene composition is not identified, or with 540232 (textured polypropylene yarn) if the non-textured aspect is missed.

5402.49Yarn, synthetic; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), other than high tenacity or textured yarn, single, untwisted or twisted 50 turns or less per metre, n.e.c. in heading no. 5402, not for retail sale, not sewing thread5402.32Yarn, 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 thread

Top exporters and importers of HS code 540248, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 540248 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 7.5% 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 $34M
  2. 2 South Korea $13M
  3. 3 India $13M

World total: $122M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $9.6M
  2. 2 Brazil $9.5M
  3. 3 Spain $7.6M

World total: $129M 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 5402.48

Brazil does not split HS 5402.48: its NCM code is 5402.48.00.

  1. 5402.48.00 Polypropylene single yarn, max 50 turns/mOutros, de polipropileno

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 5402.48

What is HS code 540248?

HS code 540248 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Yarn, synthetic; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of polypropylene (not high tenacity or textured), single, untwisted or twisted 50 turns or less per metre, not for retail sale, not sewing thread. This category covers fine, single filament polypropylene yarns, characterized by their low decitex count (less than 67), indicating a very fine thread. These yarns are not high tenacity or textured, meaning they are typically smooth and designed for specific industrial or textile applications where fineness and polypropylene's inherent properties (lightweight, moisture-wicking, chemical resistance, low thermal conductivity) are crucial. They are traded in bulk, not for retail, and are not used as sewing thread. Importers are often manufacturers of technical textiles, non-woven fabrics, medical textiles, filter media, or specialized apparel components like base layers. Exporters are large petrochemical companies or synthetic yarn producers with advanced extrusion capabilities. Key trade aspects include the exact decitex, the level of twist (50 turns or less), and the specific polymer grade, which affects performance in the final product and its processing characteristics.

What products fall under HS code 540248?

Fine polypropylene monofilament yarn, polypropylene non-woven yarn, medical textile polypropylene yarn, filter fabric polypropylene yarn, lightweight webbing polypropylene yarn, technical apparel polypropylene yarn, geotextile polypropylene yarn.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 540248?

Often confused with 540249 (other synthetic monofilament yarns) if the specific polypropylene composition is not identified, or with 540232 (textured polypropylene yarn) if the non-textured aspect is missed.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 540248?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 540248 in UN Comtrade data were China ($34M, 28% of world exports), South Korea ($13M) and India ($13M). World exports came to about $122M, 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 540248?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 540248 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($9.6M, 7.5% of world imports), Brazil ($9.5M) and Spain ($7.6M). World imports came to about $129M, 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 540248 structured?

HS code 540248 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 (48) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 540248?

In Brazil, HS code 540248 is NCM 5402.48.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.