Product classification
HS code for Cotton yarn for retail: 5207.10
Cotton yarn, (not sewing thread), containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, put up for retail sale.
Classification of cotton yarn for retail under HS 5207.10
Cotton yarn for retail sale is classified under HS code 5207.10 because it meets specific criteria regarding its composition and packaging as defined in the Harmonized System's Section XI. To fall under this heading, the yarn must contain at least 85% cotton by weight and be "put up for retail sale." This means the yarn is packaged in a manner suitable for direct sale to consumers, such as on balls, hanks, or skeins of a specific weight. According to the Section XI notes, yarn is considered "put up for retail sale" if it is on supports (reels, tubes, etc.) of a weight not exceeding 125 grams, or in hanks/skeins of a weight not exceeding 125 grams, or in certain other specific configurations. This classification excludes sewing thread, which has its own specific heading. The primary factor for 5207.10 is the high cotton content combined with the retail-ready format, distinguishing it from industrial-use yarns that are typically shipped on large cones or beams for further manufacturing. The 85% threshold is critical; if the cotton content were lower, the product would move to other subheadings within Chapter 52 or even to Chapter 55 if synthetic fibers predominate. Furthermore, the yarn must not be treated in a way that classifies it as sewing thread under heading 5204, which requires a specific finish and a "Z" twist. The distinction between retail and non-retail is one of the most common points of confusion in textile classification, as the physical yarn may be identical, but the packaging determines the duty rate and regulatory requirements. Proper classification ensures compliance with textile labeling laws and trade quotas that may apply to specific cotton products.
- Covers
- Single cotton yarn for retail sale
- Multiple (folded) cotton yarn for retail sale
- Cabled cotton yarn for retail sale
- Combed or uncombed cotton yarn in small balls
- Cotton yarn in hanks under 125 grams
- Also under 5207.10
- Lion Brand Yarn
- Bernat Yarn
- Lily Sugar'n Cream
- DMC (craft yarns)
- Scheepjes
Codes often confused with 5207.10
Common mistake. This product is often confused with HS code 5205, which covers cotton yarn not put up for retail sale. The distinction lies entirely in the packaging and weight of the unit. It is also sometimes confused with 5204 (sewing thread), which is defined by its finish and use rather than just its packaging. Additionally, if the cotton content is less than 85%, it must be classified under 5207.90.
Top exporters and importers of HS 520710 (the code used for cotton yarn for retail), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 520710 (the code used for cotton yarn for retail) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Dominican Republic, with 39% 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 520710, not only cotton yarn for retail.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $32M 16% of world exports
- 2 United States $19M 9.5% of world exports
- 3 Türkiye $19M 9.2% of world exports
World total: $204M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Dominican Republic $132M 39% of world imports
- 2 United States $44M 13% of world imports
- 3 Germany $22M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $343M 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 code for cotton yarn for retail
Brazil classifies cotton yarn for retail under NCM 5207.10.00: HS 5207.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cotton yarn for retail
What is the HS code for Cotton yarn for retail?
The HS code for Cotton yarn for retail is 520710 (Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, put up for retail sale). The HS code for cotton yarn containing 85% or more cotton by weight and put up for retail sale is 5207.10.
How do I classify Cotton yarn for retail for customs?
Cotton yarn for retail is classified under HS code 520710 — Cotton yarn; (not sewing thread), containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, put up for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between HS 5205 and 5207?
HS 5205 is for industrial or bulk cotton yarn, while HS 5207 is specifically for yarn packaged for retail sale, usually in smaller weights and consumer-friendly formats.
Which countries are the top exporters of cotton yarn for retail (HS 520710)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 520710 (the code used for cotton yarn for retail) in UN Comtrade data were France ($32M, 16% of world exports), the United States ($19M) and Türkiye ($19M). World exports came to about $204M, 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 cotton yarn for retail (HS 520710)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 520710 (the code used for cotton yarn for retail) in UN Comtrade data were the Dominican Republic ($132M, 39% of world imports), the United States ($44M) and Germany ($22M). World imports came to about $343M, 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 Cotton yarn for retail the same in all countries?
The base HS code 520710 for Cotton yarn for retail 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 cotton yarn for retail in Brazil?
In Brazil, cotton yarn for retail (HS 520710) is classified under NCM 5207.10.00.