Product classification

HS code for Artificial staple fiber yarn: 5510.12

Yarn, (not sewing thread), multiple (folded) or cabled yarn, of artificial staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres, not put up for retail sale.

Classification of artificial staple fiber yarn under HS 5510.12

HS code 551012 is highly specific, classifying multiple (folded) or cabled yarns of artificial staple fibers. Crucially, these yarns must contain 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibers and must not be put up for retail sale. Artificial staple fibers are man-made fibers derived from natural polymers (e.g., rayon, modal) that have been cut into short lengths. This classification distinguishes industrial-grade, multi-ply or cabled yarns with a high artificial fiber content from single yarns, sewing threads, or yarns packaged for consumer retail, ensuring precise categorization based on construction, composition, and presentation.

Covers
  • Multiple-ply rayon staple fiber yarn (industrial use)
  • Cabled modal staple fiber yarn (bulk packaging)
  • Yarn of regenerated cellulose staple fibers, containing 85% or more artificial fibers, not for retail
  • High-content lyocell staple fiber yarn, folded or cabled, for manufacturing
Also under 5510.12

Lenzing Viscose yarn (industrial), Birla Cellulose yarn, Sateri EcoCosy yarn, Eastman Naia yarn, Fuji Spinning Co. Polynic yarn

Codes often confused with 5510.12

Common mistake. Common misclassifications for 551012 include single yarns of artificial staple fibers, which are classified under HS code 551011. The distinction is the yarn construction: single versus multiple/cabled. Another area of confusion is with artificial sewing thread (550820), which, despite being made of artificial staple fibers, is specifically designed and presented as sewing thread, not general yarn. Yarns of artificial staple fibers containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibers are classified under 551020, highlighting the importance of fiber content percentage. Furthermore, yarns put up for retail sale, even if otherwise similar, would fall under 551090.

5510.11Yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of artificial staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres, not put up for retail sale5508.20Sewing thread; of artificial staple fibres, whether or not put up for retail sale5510.20Yarn; (not sewing thread), of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair, not put up for retail sale5510.90Yarn; (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

Top exporters and importers of HS 551012 (the code used for artificial staple fiber yarn), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 551012 (the code used for artificial staple fiber yarn) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 54% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 37% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 551012, not only artificial staple fiber yarn.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $70M
  2. 2 Indonesia $20M
  3. 3 India $18M

World total: $129M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Bangladesh* ~$49M
  2. 2 France $15M
  3. 3 Türkiye $11M

World total: $132M 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 artificial staple fiber yarn

Brazil splits HS 5510.12 into 5 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 5510.12.11Folded/cabled viscose yarn (not modal), min 85%
  • 5510.12.12Folded/cabled modal staple yarn, 85% or more
  • 5510.12.13Folded/cabled lyocell staple yarn, 85% or more
  • 5510.12.19Other folded/cabled cellulosic yarn, 85% or more
  • 5510.12.90Folded/cabled non-cellulose artificial yarn, 85%+

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about artificial staple fiber yarn

What is the HS code for Artificial staple fiber yarn?

The HS code for Artificial staple fiber yarn is 551012 (Yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple (folded) or cabled yarn, of artificial staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres, not put up for retail sale). The HS code for multiple (folded) or cabled yarn of artificial staple fibers, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibers, and not put up for retail sale, is 551012.

How do I classify Artificial staple fiber yarn for customs?

Artificial staple fiber yarn is classified under HS code 551012 — Yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple (folded) or cabled yarn, of artificial staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres, not put up for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

How is single artificial staple fiber yarn classified?

Single yarn of artificial staple fibers, not put up for retail sale, is classified under HS code 551011.

Which countries are the top exporters of artificial staple fiber yarn (HS 551012)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 551012 (the code used for artificial staple fiber yarn) in UN Comtrade data were China ($70M, 54% of world exports), Indonesia ($20M) and India ($18M). World exports 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.

Which countries are the top importers of artificial staple fiber yarn (HS 551012)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 551012 (the code used for artificial staple fiber yarn) in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $49M, 37% of world imports), France ($15M) and Türkiye ($11M). World imports came to about $132M, 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.

Is the HS code for Artificial staple fiber yarn the same in all countries?

The base HS code 551012 for Artificial staple fiber yarn is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.

What is the NCM code for artificial staple fiber yarn in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 551012 into 5 NCM codes, so the right one for artificial staple fiber yarn depends on the product's details: 5510.12.11 (Folded/cabled viscose yarn (not modal), min 85%), 5510.12.12 (Folded/cabled modal staple yarn, 85% or more), 5510.12.13 (Folded/cabled lyocell staple yarn, 85% or more), 5510.12.19 (Other folded/cabled cellulosic yarn, 85% or more), 5510.12.90 (Folded/cabled non-cellulose artificial yarn, 85%+).