HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5406.00 – Man-made filament yarn (other than sewing thread), put up for retail sale
HS code 5406.00 is the 6-digit subheading for man-made filament yarn (other than sewing thread), put up for retail sale. It is used for polyester knitting yarn, nylon crochet thread, rayon embroidery floss, acrylic blend yarn for crafts and viscose filament yarn for hand-knitting.
What HS 5406.00 covers
This code covers synthetic or artificial filament yarns, like nylon, polyester, or rayon, that are packaged for direct consumer purchase, rather than for industrial textile manufacturing. Think of the yarn balls or skeins you'd find in a craft store. International trade in these goods is driven by consumer demand for knitting, crocheting, and other DIY textile crafts. Major importers are countries with strong craft cultures and disposable income, often in North America and Europe, while exporters are typically countries with robust chemical and textile industries, such as China, India, and Taiwan, which produce the raw filaments and process them into retail-ready yarn. Key considerations for traders include yarn composition (e.g., microfibers, blends), dye quality, packaging appeal, and compliance with labeling regulations for consumer goods. The market is influenced by fashion trends, seasonal crafting activities, and the rise of e-commerce platforms making these specialized yarns globally accessible.
- Covers
- Polyester knitting yarn
- Nylon crochet thread
- Rayon embroidery floss
- Acrylic blend yarn for crafts
- Viscose filament yarn for hand-knitting
- Spandex blend yarn for retail
- Metallic filament yarn for decorative use
- Examples
- Lion Brand Yarn
- Red Heart Yarns
- Bernat Yarns
- DMC Embroidery Floss
- Patons Yarns
Codes often confused with 5406.00
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 5402 (unprocessed man-made filament yarn) or 5401 (sewing thread put up for retail sale) because it specifically excludes industrial-grade yarn and sewing thread, focusing only on other filament yarns for retail.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 540600, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 540600 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 60% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 36% 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 China $80M 60% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $14M 11% of world exports
- 3 United States $7.8M 5.9% of world exports
World total: $133M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $43M 36% of world imports
- 2 Japan $5.3M 4.4% of world imports
- 3 Germany $4.7M 4.0% 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 codes for 5406.00 2
Brazil splits HS 5406.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 5406.00.10 Synthetic filament yarn for retail saleFios de filamentos sintéticos
- 5406.00.20 Artificial filament yarn for retail saleFios de filamentos artificiais
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 54.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5406.00
What is HS code 540600?
HS code 540600 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Man-made filament yarn (other than sewing thread), put up for retail sale. This code covers synthetic or artificial filament yarns, like nylon, polyester, or rayon, that are packaged for direct consumer purchase, rather than for industrial textile manufacturing. Think of the yarn balls or skeins you'd find in a craft store. International trade in these goods is driven by consumer demand for knitting, crocheting, and other DIY textile crafts. Major importers are countries with strong craft cultures and disposable income, often in North America and Europe, while exporters are typically countries with robust chemical and textile industries, such as China, India, and Taiwan, which produce the raw filaments and process them into retail-ready yarn. Key considerations for traders include yarn composition (e.g., microfibers, blends), dye quality, packaging appeal, and compliance with labeling regulations for consumer goods. The market is influenced by fashion trends, seasonal crafting activities, and the rise of e-commerce platforms making these specialized yarns globally accessible.
What products fall under HS code 540600?
Polyester knitting yarn, Nylon crochet thread, Rayon embroidery floss, Acrylic blend yarn for crafts, Viscose filament yarn for hand-knitting, Spandex blend yarn for retail, Metallic filament yarn for decorative use
What are common misclassifications for HS code 540600?
This code is often confused with 5402 (unprocessed man-made filament yarn) or 5401 (sewing thread put up for retail sale) because it specifically excludes industrial-grade yarn and sewing thread, focusing only on other filament yarns for retail.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 540600?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 540600 in UN Comtrade data were China ($80M, 60% of world exports), Türkiye ($14M) and the United States ($7.8M). World exports came to about $133M, 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 540600?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 540600 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($43M, 36% of world imports), Japan ($5.3M) and Germany ($4.7M). 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 540600 structured?
HS code 540600 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (54) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 540600?
Brazil splits HS code 540600 into 2 NCM codes: 5406.00.10 (Synthetic filament yarn for retail sale), 5406.00.20 (Artificial filament yarn for retail sale). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.