Product classification
HS code for Carded cashmere: 5105.31
Hair, fine animal hair, carded or combed, of kashmir (cashmere) goats.
Classification of carded cashmere under HS 5105.31
Carded cashmere is classified under HS code 5105.31. This specific subheading is reserved for the fine hair of the Kashmir (cashmere) goat that has undergone mechanical preparation. Carding is a crucial step in the textile manufacturing process where the fibers are opened, cleaned, and aligned to form a continuous web or sliver. This process removes residual vegetable matter and short fibers, ensuring the material is suitable for spinning into high-quality yarn. The classification is strictly governed by the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI), specifically GRI 1 and 6, which prioritize the specific nomenclature of the subheading. Because cashmere is a high-value luxury fiber, the distinction between raw hair and processed fiber is essential for customs valuation and trade statistics. The carding process transforms the raw, tangled mass into a uniform state, which is the primary criteria for moving the product from heading 5102 (raw) to 5105 (processed).
- Covers
- Carded cashmere fiber
- Combed cashmere tops
- Dehaired cashmere slivers
- Prepared cashmere for spinning
- Cashmere laps
- Also under 5105.31
- Loro Piana Cashmere (raw material form)
- Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere (raw material form)
- Mongolian Cashmere Tops
- Inner Mongolian Dehaired Cashmere
Codes often confused with 5105.31
Common mistake. This product is frequently confused with HS code 5102.11, which covers raw or washed cashmere that has not yet been carded or combed. Another common error is using HS code 5105.39, which is a residual category for other fine animal hairs like alpaca or camel. Importers must ensure the fiber is specifically from the Kashmir goat to use 5105.31. Additionally, if the cashmere has already been spun into thread, it must be classified under heading 5108 rather than 5105.
Top exporters and importers of HS 510531 (the code used for carded cashmere), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 510531 (the code used for carded cashmere) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 64% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 42% 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 510531, not only carded cashmere.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $6.4M 64% of world exports
- 2 Mongolia* ~$1.1M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 United Kingdom $947K 9.4% of world exports
World total: $10M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $36M 42% of world imports
- 2 Madagascar $26M 30% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $8.5M 9.9% of world imports
World total: $86M 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 carded cashmere
Brazil classifies carded cashmere under NCM 5105.31.00: HS 5105.31 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about carded cashmere
What is the HS code for Carded cashmere?
The HS code for Carded cashmere is 510531 (Hair; fine animal hair, carded or combed, of kashmir (cashmere) goats). The specific HS code for carded or combed cashmere is 5105.31.
How do I classify Carded cashmere for customs?
Carded cashmere is classified under HS code 510531 — Hair; fine animal hair, carded or combed, of kashmir (cashmere) goats. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between carded and combed cashmere?
Carding is the initial process of untangling fibers into a web, while combing is a subsequent, more refined process that removes shorter fibers (noils) and aligns the long fibers perfectly parallel for high-end worsted spinning.
Which countries are the top exporters of carded cashmere (HS 510531)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 510531 (the code used for carded cashmere) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($6.4M, 64% of world exports), Mongolia (about $1.1M) and the United Kingdom ($947K). World exports came to about $10M, 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 carded cashmere (HS 510531)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 510531 (the code used for carded cashmere) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($36M, 42% of world imports), Madagascar ($26M) and South Korea ($8.5M). World imports came to about $86M, 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 Carded cashmere the same in all countries?
The base HS code 510531 for Carded cashmere 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 carded cashmere in Brazil?
In Brazil, carded cashmere (HS 510531) is classified under NCM 5105.31.00.