Product classification
HS code for Knitting cotton yarn: 5207.10
Cotton yarn, (not sewing thread), containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, put up for retail sale.
Classification of knitting cotton yarn under HS 5207.10
Knitting cotton yarn is classified under HS code 5207.10 when it contains 85% or more cotton by weight and is put up for retail sale. This classification is part of Chapter 52, which governs cotton textiles. Heading 5207 is reserved for cotton yarn that is packaged specifically for the retail market, distinguishing it from the bulk industrial yarns found in headings 5205 and 5206. The subheading 5207.10 is used when the yarn is predominantly cotton (85% or more). To meet the "retail sale" criteria, the yarn must be in a form such as a ball, card, or skein and must comply with the weight limitations set forth in the Section XI notes of the Harmonized System. This classification is vital for identifying high-purity cotton yarns intended for the handicraft and consumer knitting sectors, which often carry different tariff rates than industrial raw materials.
- Covers
- 100% cotton yarn balls for hand knitting
- 85% cotton / 15% nylon blend yarn for retail sale
- Mercerized cotton yarn in retail hanks
- Organic cotton knitting yarn for retail sale
- 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. The most common misclassification is 5205.11, which covers 100% cotton yarn that is not put up for retail sale (e.g., large industrial cones). Another common error is 5204.11, which is reserved for cotton sewing thread. Sewing thread is distinguished from knitting yarn by its final twist and the way it is finished for use in sewing machines rather than hand-knitting.
Top exporters and importers of HS 520710 (the code used for knitting cotton yarn), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 520710 (the code used for knitting cotton yarn) 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 knitting cotton yarn.
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 knitting cotton yarn
Brazil classifies knitting cotton yarn 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 knitting cotton yarn
What is the HS code for Knitting cotton yarn?
The HS code for Knitting cotton yarn 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 and packaged for retail sale is 5207.10.
How do I classify Knitting cotton yarn for customs?
Knitting cotton yarn 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.
How is this different from industrial cotton yarn?
Industrial cotton yarn is classified under headings 5205 or 5206 and is typically sold on large cones or beams for factory use, whereas 5207.10 is for consumer-sized packaging.
Which countries are the top exporters of knitting cotton yarn (HS 520710)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 520710 (the code used for knitting cotton yarn) 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 knitting cotton yarn (HS 520710)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 520710 (the code used for knitting cotton yarn) 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 Knitting cotton yarn the same in all countries?
The base HS code 520710 for Knitting 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 knitting cotton yarn in Brazil?
In Brazil, knitting cotton yarn (HS 520710) is classified under NCM 5207.10.00.