Product classification
HS code for Polyester cotton blend yarn: 5509.53
Yarn, (not sewing thread), of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not put up for retail sale.
Classification of polyester cotton blend yarn under HS 5509.53
Polyester cotton blend yarn is classified under HS code 5509.53 because it is primarily composed of synthetic staple fibers that have been spun into yarn. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) and the Section XI notes of the Harmonized System, products consisting of two or more textile materials are classified as if consisting wholly of that one textile material which predominates by weight. In this specific case, the yarn is predominantly made of polyester staple fibers, which are covered under Chapter 55, rather than cotton, which falls under Chapter 52. Subheading 5509.53 specifically addresses yarns of polyester staple fibers mixed mainly or solely with cotton. This classification is restricted to yarns not put up for retail sale, meaning they are typically intended for industrial weaving or knitting processes. The distinction between staple fibers and filaments is critical; staple fibers are discontinuous lengths that must be spun together, whereas filaments are continuous strands.
- Covers
- Polyester and cotton blended spun yarn
- Industrial weaving yarn with polyester majority
- Knitting yarn composed of polyester staple and cotton
- Grey or dyed poly-cotton blended yarns
- Also under 5509.53
- Vardhman Textiles (P/C yarns)
- Raymond (P/C blends)
- Welspun (P/C yarns)
- Reliance Industries (Recron P/C blends)
Codes often confused with 5509.53
Common mistake. This product is frequently confused with HS code 5205, which covers 100% cotton yarn. If the cotton content exceeds 50% by weight in a blend with synthetic staple fibers, the classification might shift depending on the specific blend rules of Section XI. It is also often confused with HS code 5509.21, which is reserved for 100% polyester staple fiber yarn. The presence of even a small amount of cotton, if it is the primary mixing fiber, directs the product to 5509.53 rather than the pure synthetic codes.
Top exporters and importers of HS 550953 (the code used for polyester cotton blend yarn), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 550953 (the code used for polyester cotton blend yarn) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Honduras, with about 28% 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 550953, not only polyester cotton blend yarn.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $286M 28% of world exports
- 2 India $184M 18% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$163M 16% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Honduras* ~$289M 28% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Colombia $94M 8.9% of world imports
- 3 El Salvador $62M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 polyester cotton blend yarn
Brazil classifies polyester cotton blend yarn under NCM 5509.53.00: HS 5509.53 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about polyester cotton blend yarn
What is the HS code for Polyester cotton blend yarn?
The HS code for Polyester cotton blend yarn is 550953 (Yarn; (not sewing thread), of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not put up for retail sale). The HS code for polyester cotton blend yarn (not for retail sale) is 5509.53.
How do I classify Polyester cotton blend yarn for customs?
Polyester cotton blend yarn is classified under HS code 550953 — Yarn; (not sewing thread), of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not put up for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the percentage of cotton matter for this classification?
Yes, for this code to apply, the polyester staple fibers must predominate by weight, and the primary fiber it is blended with must be cotton.
Which countries are the top exporters of polyester cotton blend yarn (HS 550953)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 550953 (the code used for polyester cotton blend yarn) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($286M, 28% of world exports), India ($184M) and Vietnam (about $163M). World exports came to about $1.0B, 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 polyester cotton blend yarn (HS 550953)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 550953 (the code used for polyester cotton blend yarn) in UN Comtrade data were Honduras (about $289M, 28% of world imports), Colombia ($94M) and El Salvador ($62M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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 Polyester cotton blend yarn the same in all countries?
The base HS code 550953 for Polyester cotton blend 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 polyester cotton blend yarn in Brazil?
In Brazil, polyester cotton blend yarn (HS 550953) is classified under NCM 5509.53.00.