Product classification

HS code for Bulk cotton yarn: 5205.12

Cotton yarn, (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 714.29 but not less than 232.56 decitex (exceeding 14 but not exceeding 43 metric number), not for retail sale.

Classification of bulk cotton yarn under HS 5205.12

HS code 5205.12 is reserved for cotton yarn that is predominantly composed of cotton fibers, specifically 85% or more by weight. This classification is distinct from blended yarns and focuses on high-purity cotton products. The yarn is characterized as "single" and "uncombed," which means it is a basic industrial yarn used for standard textile production where the extreme smoothness of combed yarn is not required. The measurement criteria are strict: the yarn must have a decitex of less than 714.29 but not less than 232.56. This specific thickness is suitable for a wide variety of medium-weight fabrics, including standard apparel and home textiles. Because it is classified as "not for retail sale," it is usually shipped in bulk quantities on industrial bobbins, cones, or in large hanks. The absence of the combing process makes this yarn more cost-effective for manufacturers producing everyday garments. Accurate classification requires laboratory testing of the fiber content to ensure the 85% threshold is met, as well as verification of the decitex through precise measurement of the yarn's weight per unit length. This code is essential for tracking the trade of raw cotton materials used in the global garment supply chain.

Covers
  • 100% cotton single uncombed yarn
  • High-content cotton yarn for denim weaving
  • Bulk cotton yarn for industrial knitting
  • Unbleached single cotton yarn (85%+ cotton)
  • Carded cotton yarn on industrial cones
Also under 5205.12
  • Trident Group (towels, sheets)
  • Welspun India (home textiles)
  • Raymond Ltd. (shirting)
  • Alok Industries (various fabrics)

Codes often confused with 5205.12

Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with 5206.12, which is used for yarns where cotton makes up less than 85% of the weight. Another frequent error is using 5205.22, which is the code for combed cotton yarn; combed yarn has undergone additional processing to remove short fibers. Furthermore, if the yarn is packaged for individual consumer use (e.g., small balls for hand-knitting), it must be classified under 5207.10 rather than 5205.12.

5205.13Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 232.56 but not less than 192.31 decitex (exceeding 43 but not exceeding 52 metric number), not for retail sale5205.14Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 192.31 but not less than 125 decitex (exceeding 52 but not exceeding 80 metric number), not for retail sale5205.15Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, measuring less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), not for retail sale5205.21Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, measuring 714.29 decitex or more, (not exceeding 14 metric number), not for retail sale5205.22Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 714.29 but not less than 232.56 decitex (exceeding 14 but not exceeding 43 metric number), not for retail sale5205.23Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 232.56 but not less than 192.31 decitex (exceeding 43 but not exceeding 52 metric number), not for retail sale5205.24Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 192.31 but not less than 125 decitex (exceeding 52 but not exceeding 80 metric number), not for retail sale5205.26Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 but not less than 106.38 decitex (over 80 but not over 94 metric number), not for retail sale5205.27Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 106.38 but not less than 83.33 decitex (over 94 but not over 120 metric number), not for retail sale5205.28Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, measuring less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number), not for retail sale5205.31Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 714.29 decitex or more (not exceeding 14 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.32Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 714.28 to 232.56 decitex (15 to 43 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.33Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 232.55 to 192.31 decitex (44 to 52 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.34Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 192.30 to 125 decitex (53 to 80 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.35Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.41Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 714.29 decitex or more (not exceeding 14 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.42Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 714.28 to 232.56 decitex (15 to 43 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.43Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 232.55 to 192.31 decitex (44 to 52 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.44Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 192.30 to 125 decitex (53 to 80 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.46Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 124 to 106.38 decitex (81 to 94 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.47Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, 106.37 to 83.33 decitex (95 to 120 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.48Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale5205.11Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, measuring 714.29 decitex or more, (not exceeding 14 metric number), not for retail sale5206.12Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, less than 85% by weight of cotton, less than 714.29 but not less than 232.56 decitex (exceeding 14 but not exceeding 43 metric number), not for retail sale5207.10Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, put up for retail sale

Top exporters and importers of HS 520512 (the code used for bulk cotton yarn), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 520512 (the code used for bulk cotton yarn) in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 55% of world imports. Russia 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 96% of its imports here ($113M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 520512, not only bulk cotton yarn.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Vietnam* ~$825M
  2. 2 United States $499M
  3. 3 India $303M

World total: $2.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $1.4B
  2. 2 Honduras* ~$375M
  3. 3 Bangladesh* ~$113M

Russia 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 96% of its imports here ($113M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.

World total: $2.5B 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 code for bulk cotton yarn

Brazil classifies bulk cotton yarn under NCM 5205.12.00: HS 5205.12 with 00 added.

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

Questions about bulk cotton yarn

What is the HS code for Bulk cotton yarn?

The HS code for Bulk cotton yarn is 520512 (Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 714.29 but not less than 232.56 decitex (exceeding 14 but not exceeding 43 metric number), not for retail sale). The HS code for bulk cotton yarn containing 85% or more cotton, uncombed and single, within the 232.56 to 714.29 decitex range, is 5205.12.

How do I classify Bulk cotton yarn for customs?

Bulk cotton yarn is classified under HS code 520512 — Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 714.29 but not less than 232.56 decitex (exceeding 14 but not exceeding 43 metric number), not for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What is the difference between 5205.12 and 5205.22?

The difference lies in the fiber preparation; 5205.12 is for uncombed (carded) fibers, while 5205.22 is for fibers that have been combed to remove impurities and align the strands.

Which countries are the top exporters of bulk cotton yarn (HS 520512)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 520512 (the code used for bulk cotton yarn) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $825M, 32% of world exports), the United States ($499M) and India ($303M). World exports came to about $2.6B, 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 bulk cotton yarn (HS 520512)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 520512 (the code used for bulk cotton yarn) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.4B, 55% of world imports), Honduras (about $375M) and Bangladesh (about $113M). World imports came to about $2.5B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Russia 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 96% of its imports here ($113M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.

Is the HS code for Bulk cotton yarn the same in all countries?

The base HS code 520512 for Bulk cotton 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 bulk cotton yarn in Brazil?

In Brazil, bulk cotton yarn (HS 520512) is classified under NCM 5205.12.00.