Product classification
HS code for Industrial cotton blend thread: 5204.19
Cotton, sewing thread, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale.
Classification of industrial cotton blend thread under HS 5204.19
Industrial cotton blend thread is classified under HS code 520419. This classification is found in Chapter 52, which covers cotton and cotton-based textile products. Heading 5204 is specifically dedicated to cotton sewing thread, whether or not put up for retail sale. The subheading 520419 identifies thread that contains less than 85% by weight of cotton. These threads are typically blended with synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon to enhance durability, elasticity, and resistance to breakage in high-speed industrial sewing machines. A critical component of this classification is the "not put up for retail sale" requirement. In the textile industry, this means the thread is wound on large industrial supports such as cones, tubes, or large bobbins, usually weighing more than 125 grams (including the support). The classification process requires a precise laboratory analysis of the fiber content to confirm that the cotton percentage is below the 85% threshold. If the thread is intended for sewing and meets these material and packaging criteria, 520419 is the correct code.
- Covers
- Polyester-cotton blend sewing thread on industrial cones
- Cotton-nylon blend thread for heavy-duty garment manufacturing
- Core-spun cotton blend thread for industrial upholstery
- Glazed cotton blend thread for industrial bookbinding
- Dyed cotton blend sewing thread for textile mills
- Also under 5204.19
- Coats Epic
- A&E Perma Core
- Vardhman Threads (blends)
- Gütermann Tera
Codes often confused with 5204.19
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 520411, which is for thread containing 85% or more cotton. Another error is using 520420, which is for thread "put up for retail sale" (small spools for home use). Additionally, if the synthetic fiber content is so high that the thread is no longer considered "cotton-based," it may be classified under Chapter 54 (e.g., 5401 for synthetic sewing thread).
Top exporters and importers of HS 520419 (the code used for industrial cotton blend thread), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 520419 (the code used for industrial cotton blend thread) in UN Comtrade data was Honduras, with about 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Myanmar, with 29% of world imports. Vietnam 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 68% of its exports here ($2.8M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters. Cambodia 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 83% of its imports here ($2.8M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 520419, not only industrial cotton blend thread.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Honduras* ~$3.5M 21% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 China $3.2M 19% of world exports
- 3 Italy $1.5M 8.7% of world exports
Vietnam 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 68% of its exports here ($2.8M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $17M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Myanmar $9.4M 29% of world imports
- 2 Dominican Republic $5.2M 16% of world imports
- 3 Philippines $2.0M 6.0% of world imports
Cambodia 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 83% of its imports here ($2.8M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $33M 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 industrial cotton blend thread
Brazil splits HS 5204.19 into 6 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 5204.19.11Unbleached thread under 85% cotton, 2-ply
- 5204.19.12Unbleached thread under 85% cotton, 3+ ply
- 5204.19.20Unbleached thread under 85% cotton, over 500 tex
- 5204.19.31Bleached/dyed thread under 85% cotton, 2-ply
- 5204.19.32Bleached/dyed thread under 85% cotton, 3+ ply
- 5204.19.40Bleached/dyed thread, sub-85% cotton, over 500 tex
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about industrial cotton blend thread
What is the HS code for Industrial cotton blend thread?
The HS code for Industrial cotton blend thread is 520419 (Cotton; sewing thread, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale). The HS code for industrial cotton sewing thread containing less than 85% cotton by weight is 520419.
How do I classify Industrial cotton blend thread for customs?
Industrial cotton blend thread is classified under HS code 520419 — Cotton; sewing thread, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What defines "not put up for retail sale"?
It generally refers to thread wound on large supports (like cones) intended for industrial use, typically exceeding specific weight limits defined in the HS Section XI notes.
Which countries are the top exporters of industrial cotton blend thread (HS 520419)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 520419 (the code used for industrial cotton blend thread) in UN Comtrade data were Honduras (about $3.5M, 21% of world exports), China ($3.2M) and Italy ($1.5M). World exports came to about $17M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Vietnam 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 68% of its exports here ($2.8M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of industrial cotton blend thread (HS 520419)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 520419 (the code used for industrial cotton blend thread) in UN Comtrade data were Myanmar ($9.4M, 29% of world imports), the Dominican Republic ($5.2M) and the Philippines ($2.0M). World imports came to about $33M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Cambodia 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 83% of its imports here ($2.8M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Is the HS code for Industrial cotton blend thread the same in all countries?
The base HS code 520419 for Industrial cotton blend thread 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 industrial cotton blend thread in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 520419 into 6 NCM codes, so the right one for industrial cotton blend thread depends on the product's details: 5204.19.11 (Unbleached thread under 85% cotton, 2-ply), 5204.19.12 (Unbleached thread under 85% cotton, 3+ ply), 5204.19.20 (Unbleached thread under 85% cotton, over 500 tex), 5204.19.31 (Bleached/dyed thread under 85% cotton, 2-ply), 5204.19.32 (Bleached/dyed thread under 85% cotton, 3+ ply), 5204.19.40 (Bleached/dyed thread, sub-85% cotton, over 500 tex).