HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5510.90 – Yarn; (not sewing thread), of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with fibres (other than wool, fine animal hair or cotton), not put up for retail sale
HS code 5510.90 is the 6-digit subheading for yarn, (not sewing thread), of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with fibres (other than wool, fine animal hair or cotton), not put up for retail sale. It is used for viscose-polyester blend yarn, modal-linen yarn, rayon-silk blend yarn, lyocell-nylon blend yarn and cupro-hemp yarn.
What HS 5510.90 covers
This "other" category for industrial yarns of artificial staple fibers covers blends where the artificial component is dominant or exclusive, and the other blended fibers are neither wool, fine animal hair, nor cotton. This diverse group includes blends with synthetic fibers (like polyester, nylon), linen, silk, or other natural fibers. These specialized yarns are traded globally between textile manufacturers seeking specific performance characteristics or unique aesthetic qualities that cannot be achieved with single-fiber yarns or common blends. Importers are often niche textile producers, technical textile manufacturers, or fashion brands looking for innovative materials for specific applications, ranging from performance wear to decorative fabrics. Exporters are typically advanced yarn spinners capable of handling complex blending processes. Key aspects for trade include the precise composition of the blend, the yarn's technical specifications (strength, elasticity, dyeability), and its intended end-use, which can vary widely due to the broad range of possible fiber combinations.
- Covers
- Viscose-polyester blend yarn
- Modal-linen yarn
- Rayon-silk blend yarn
- Lyocell-nylon blend yarn
- Cupro-hemp yarn
- Acetate-acrylic blend yarn
- Regenerated cellulose-ramie yarn
- Tencel-bamboo blend yarn
- Examples
- Lenzing blended yarns (e.g., Tencel-polyester)
- Birla Cellulose blends
- Sateri EcoCosy blends
- Eastman Naia blends
- various technical textile yarn manufacturers
Codes often confused with 5510.90
Common mistake. This code can be easily confused with 5509.91 (synthetic staple fiber yarn, other blends) if the primary fiber is synthetic rather than artificial, or with other specific blend codes (e.g., 5510.20, 5510.30) if the non-artificial fiber is misidentified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 551090, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 551090 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 64% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 29% of world imports. Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 97% of its exports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters. Cambodia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 65% of its imports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $260M 64% of world exports
- 2 Slovakia $22M 5.6% of world exports
- 3 Italy $21M 5.3% of world exports
Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 97% of its exports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $404M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Bangladesh* ~$94M 29% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Italy $37M 11% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$24M 7.3% of world imports · partner records ↗
Cambodia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 65% of its imports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $331M 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 codes for 5510.90 5
Brazil splits HS 5510.90 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 5510.90.1 Obtained from cellulose fibresObtidos a partir de fibras de celulose Group
- 5510.90.11 Viscose yarn (not modal) in other blendsDe raiom viscose, exceto modal
- 5510.90.12 Modal staple yarn in other blendsDe modal
- 5510.90.13 Lyocell staple yarn in other blendsDe liocel
- 5510.90.19 Other cellulosic staple yarn in other blendsOutros
- 5510.90.90 Non-cellulose artificial yarn in other blendsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 55.10 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5510.90
What is HS code 551090?
HS code 551090 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Yarn; (not sewing thread), of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with fibres (other than wool, fine animal hair or cotton), not put up for retail sale. This "other" category for industrial yarns of artificial staple fibers covers blends where the artificial component is dominant or exclusive, and the other blended fibers are neither wool, fine animal hair, nor cotton. This diverse group includes blends with synthetic fibers (like polyester, nylon), linen, silk, or other natural fibers. These specialized yarns are traded globally between textile manufacturers seeking specific performance characteristics or unique aesthetic qualities that cannot be achieved with single-fiber yarns or common blends. Importers are often niche textile producers, technical textile manufacturers, or fashion brands looking for innovative materials for specific applications, ranging from performance wear to decorative fabrics. Exporters are typically advanced yarn spinners capable of handling complex blending processes. Key aspects for trade include the precise composition of the blend, the yarn's technical specifications (strength, elasticity, dyeability), and its intended end-use, which can vary widely due to the broad range of possible fiber combinations.
What products fall under HS code 551090?
Viscose-polyester blend yarn, Modal-linen yarn, Rayon-silk blend yarn, Lyocell-nylon blend yarn, Cupro-hemp yarn, Acetate-acrylic blend yarn, Regenerated cellulose-ramie yarn, Tencel-bamboo blend yarn
What are common misclassifications for HS code 551090?
This code can be easily confused with 5509.91 (synthetic staple fiber yarn, other blends) if the primary fiber is synthetic rather than artificial, or with other specific blend codes (e.g., 5510.20, 5510.30) if the non-artificial fiber is misidentified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 551090?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 551090 in UN Comtrade data were China ($260M, 64% of world exports), Slovakia ($22M) and Italy ($21M). World exports came to about $404M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 97% of its exports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 551090?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 551090 in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $94M, 29% of world imports), Italy ($37M) and Vietnam (about $24M). World imports came to about $331M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Cambodia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 65% of its imports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 551090 structured?
HS code 551090 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (55) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (10) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 551090?
Brazil splits HS code 551090 into 5 NCM codes: 5510.90.11 (Viscose yarn (not modal) in other blends), 5510.90.12 (Modal staple yarn in other blends), 5510.90.13 (Lyocell staple yarn in other blends), 5510.90.19 (Other cellulosic staple yarn in other blends), 5510.90.90 (Non-cellulose artificial yarn in other blends). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.