Product classification

HS code for Retail artificial yarn: 5511.30

Yarn, (not sewing thread), of artificial staple fibres, put up for retail sale.

Classification of retail artificial yarn under HS 5511.30

Retail artificial yarn is classified under HS code 5511.30. This classification is determined by three primary factors: the material origin, the fiber length, and the packaging format. Chapter 55 covers man-made staple fibers, which are fibers of finite length. Heading 5511 is specifically for yarn made from these staple fibers that has been \"put up for retail sale.\" The term \"artificial\" refers to fibers produced from natural polymers, such as viscose rayon, acetate, or triacetate. Subheading 5511.30 is the specific designation for yarn consisting of these artificial staple fibers. To meet the \"retail sale\" criteria defined in the Section XI notes, the yarn must be packaged in specific weights (usually not exceeding 500 grams) or on supports like balls or cards intended for individual consumer use rather than industrial processing.

Covers
  • Viscose rayon staple yarn in retail balls
  • Acetate staple yarn for hand-knitting
  • Cellulose-based staple yarn in retail skeins
  • Artificial staple fiber yarn on small reels for consumer use
  • Blended artificial staple yarns (predominantly artificial) for retail
Also under 5511.30
  • Lion Brand Yarn (Heartland)
  • Red Heart Yarns (Super Saver)
  • Bernat Yarn (Satin)
  • Caron Yarn (Simply Soft)
  • Patons Yarn (Classic Wool DK Superwash)

Codes often confused with 5511.30

Common mistake. This code is often confused with HS code 5509.51 or 5510.00, which cover artificial staple yarns not put up for retail sale (bulk industrial yarn). It is also confused with HS code 5406.00, which covers man-made filament yarn for retail. The key difference is that 5511.30 must be made from staple (short) fibers, whereas 5406.00 is made from continuous filaments. Furthermore, synthetic staple yarns (like polyester or acrylic) for retail are classified under 5511.10 or 5511.20.

5509.51Yarn; (not sewing thread), of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with artificial staple fibres, not put up for retail sale5406.00Man-made filament yarn (other than sewing thread), put up for retail sale5511.10Yarn; (not sewing thread), of synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of synthetic staple fibres, put up for retail sale5511.20Yarn; (not sewing thread), of synthetic staple fibres, containing less than 85% by weight of synthetic staple fibres, put up for retail sale

Top exporters and importers of HS 551130 (the code used for retail artificial yarn), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 551130 (the code used for retail artificial yarn) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 19% 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 551130, not only retail artificial yarn.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $7.2M
  2. 2 Türkiye $6.6M
  3. 3 Italy $1.8M

World total: $21M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Italy $4.0M
  2. 2 Uzbekistan* ~$3.9M
  3. 3 United States $1.6M

World total: $21M 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 retail artificial yarn

Brazil classifies retail artificial yarn under NCM 5511.30.00: HS 5511.30 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about retail artificial yarn

What is the HS code for Retail artificial yarn?

The HS code for Retail artificial yarn is 551130 (Yarn; (not sewing thread), of artificial staple fibres, put up for retail sale). The HS code for yarn of artificial staple fibers (not sewing thread) put up for retail sale is 5511.30.

How do I classify Retail artificial yarn for customs?

Retail artificial yarn is classified under HS code 551130 — Yarn; (not sewing thread), of artificial staple fibres, put up for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

How do I distinguish between artificial and synthetic yarn for classification?

Artificial yarns are derived from natural organic polymers (like wood pulp), while synthetic yarns are derived from petroleum-based polymers (like polyester or nylon). Synthetic staple yarns for retail fall under 5511.10 or 5511.20.

Which countries are the top exporters of retail artificial yarn (HS 551130)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 551130 (the code used for retail artificial yarn) in UN Comtrade data were China ($7.2M, 34% of world exports), Türkiye ($6.6M) and Italy ($1.8M). World exports came to about $21M, 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 retail artificial yarn (HS 551130)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 551130 (the code used for retail artificial yarn) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($4.0M, 19% of world imports), Uzbekistan (about $3.9M) and the United States ($1.6M). World imports came to about $21M, 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 Retail artificial yarn the same in all countries?

The base HS code 551130 for Retail artificial 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 retail artificial yarn in Brazil?

In Brazil, retail artificial yarn (HS 551130) is classified under NCM 5511.30.00.