Product classification
HS code for high tenacity nylon yarn: 5402.19
Yarn, synthetic, filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of high tenacity nylon or other polyamides, textured or not, other than aramids, not for retail sale, not sewing thread.
Classification of high tenacity nylon yarn under HS 5402.19
High tenacity nylon yarn is classified under HS code 540219. This code is part of Chapter 54, which covers man-made filaments. Specifically, heading 5402 applies to synthetic filament yarn (other than sewing thread), not put up for retail sale. The term "high tenacity" is strictly defined in the Section XI notes of the HS nomenclature; for nylon (polyamide), it refers to yarn having a tenacity greater than 60 cN/tex. The subheading 540219 is a residual category for high tenacity yarns of polyamides other than aramids (which are classified under 540211). This yarn is typically used in industrial applications such as tire cords, safety belts, and heavy-duty fabrics due to its superior strength and resistance to abrasion. The classification requires that the yarn be a filament (continuous) rather than a staple fiber and that it is not prepared for retail sale.
- Covers
- Industrial nylon 6 filament yarn
- Industrial nylon 6,6 filament yarn
- High-strength polyamide monofilament (less than 67 decitex)
- Non-textured high tenacity nylon yarn
- Textured high tenacity nylon yarn (if meeting tenacity requirements)
- Also under 5402.19
- Invista Cordura yarn
- Rhodia Emana yarn
- Ascend Performance Materials H-TN yarn
- Toray Nylon yarn
- BASF Ultramid yarn
Codes often confused with 5402.19
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 540211, which is reserved specifically for high tenacity yarn of aramids (a specific type of polyamide like Kevlar). Importers often confuse general nylon 6,6 with aramids. Another common error is classifying this under 540110 if the yarn is finished as sewing thread. Furthermore, if the yarn is made of synthetic staple fibers rather than continuous filaments, it must be classified in Chapter 55 (e.g., 5509). Finally, if the monofilament exceeds 67 decitex or has a cross-sectional dimension exceeding 1mm, it falls under 5404.
Top exporters and importers of HS 540219 (the code used for high tenacity nylon yarn), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 540219 (the code used for high tenacity nylon yarn) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 8.2% 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 540219, not only high tenacity nylon yarn.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $405M 33% of world exports
- 2 Japan $131M 11% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$120M 9.7% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $118M 8.2% of world imports
- 2 China $115M 7.9% of world imports
- 3 United States $107M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $1.5B 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 codes for high tenacity nylon yarn
Brazil splits HS 5402.19 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 5402.19.10High-tenacity nylon filament yarn
- 5402.19.90High-tenacity other polyamide filament yarn
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about high tenacity nylon yarn
What is the HS code for high tenacity nylon yarn?
The HS code for high tenacity nylon yarn is 540219 (Yarn, synthetic; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of high tenacity nylon or other polyamides, textured or not; other than aramids, not for retail sale, not sewing thread). The HS code for high tenacity nylon or other polyamide yarn (excluding aramids) is 540219.
How do I classify high tenacity nylon yarn for customs?
high tenacity nylon yarn is classified under HS code 540219 — Yarn, synthetic; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of high tenacity nylon or other polyamides, textured or not; other than aramids, not for retail sale, not sewing thread. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What defines "high tenacity" for nylon in the HS system?
For polyamides, the yarn must have a tenacity exceeding 60 centinewtons per tex (cN/tex) to be classified as high tenacity.
Which countries are the top exporters of high tenacity nylon yarn (HS 540219)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 540219 (the code used for high tenacity nylon yarn) in UN Comtrade data were China ($405M, 33% of world exports), Japan ($131M) and Vietnam (about $120M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 high tenacity nylon yarn (HS 540219)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 540219 (the code used for high tenacity nylon yarn) in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($118M, 8.2% of world imports), China ($115M) and the United States ($107M). World imports came to about $1.5B, 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 high tenacity nylon yarn the same in all countries?
The base HS code 540219 for high tenacity nylon 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 high tenacity nylon yarn in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 540219 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for high tenacity nylon yarn depends on the product's details: 5402.19.10 (High-tenacity nylon filament yarn), 5402.19.90 (High-tenacity other polyamide filament yarn).