Product classification
HS code for Silk yarn: 5004.00
Silk, yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale.
Classification of silk yarn under HS 5004.00
HS code 500400 is designated for silk yarn that is not spun from silk waste and is not put up for retail sale. This code typically refers to 'thrown silk' or yarn produced by reeling continuous filaments from the cocoon of the silkworm. Unlike waste yarn, which is made from broken or short fibers, yarn under 500400 consists of long, continuous strands that have been twisted together to create strength and luster. The classification process involves examining the manufacturing method; if the yarn is produced by spinning short fibers (even if they are virgin silk), it might be classified elsewhere, but 500400 is the primary home for high-quality, continuous filament silk yarn used in luxury textile production. The exclusion of 'retail sale' packaging is a vital factor, as industrial-sized shipments are the focus of this heading. This code is fundamental for the global trade of raw materials used in high-end fashion and upholstery. To meet the criteria for 500400, the yarn must be in a form suitable for industrial use, such as on large bobbins or in hanks of a certain weight (usually exceeding 125 grams as per Section XI notes). The yarn can be single, multiple (folded), or cabled. It is also important to note that this code excludes 'raw silk' (500200), which has not yet been twisted or 'thrown.' Once the raw silk filaments are twisted to form a yarn, they move from 500200 to 500400. This distinction is critical for customs valuation and compliance, as thrown silk represents a higher level of processing than raw silk. Importers should provide technical data sheets indicating the filament type and the absence of waste fibers to ensure correct classification.
- Covers
- Thrown silk yarn (continuous filament)
- Organzine silk yarn
- Tram silk yarn
- Crepe silk yarn (not from waste)
- Silk yarn on industrial bobbins
- Also under 5004.00
- Bombyx mori thrown silk yarn
- Mulberry silk yarn (bulk)
- Tussah silk yarn (industrial)
- Eri silk yarn (bulk)
Codes often confused with 5004.00
Common mistake. Silk yarn is often misclassified as 500500 (Silk waste yarn) if the distinction between filament and spun waste is not clear. It is also confused with 500200 (Raw silk) if the twisting process is minimal. Additionally, if the yarn is packaged for consumer use, it must be classified under 500600 instead of 500400.
Top exporters and importers of HS 500400 (the code used for silk yarn), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 500400 (the code used for silk yarn) in UN Comtrade data was Romania, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 48% 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 500400, not only silk yarn.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Romania $81M 35% of world exports
- 2 China $67M 28% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$29M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $234M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $102M 48% of world imports
- 2 Japan $26M 12% of world imports
- 3 India $18M 8.7% of world imports
World total: $211M 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 silk yarn
Brazil classifies silk yarn under NCM 5004.00.00: HS 5004.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about silk yarn
What is the HS code for Silk yarn?
The HS code for Silk yarn is 500400 (Silk; yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale). The HS code for silk yarn (not from waste and not for retail) is 500400.
How do I classify Silk yarn for customs?
Silk yarn is classified under HS code 500400 — Silk; yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is raw silk the same as silk yarn?
No, raw silk (500200) is the untwisted filament, while silk yarn (500400) has undergone the 'throwing' or twisting process.
Which countries are the top exporters of silk yarn (HS 500400)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 500400 (the code used for silk yarn) in UN Comtrade data were Romania ($81M, 35% of world exports), China ($67M) and Vietnam (about $29M). World exports came to about $234M, 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 silk yarn (HS 500400)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 500400 (the code used for silk yarn) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($102M, 48% of world imports), Japan ($26M) and India ($18M). World imports came to about $211M, 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 Silk yarn the same in all countries?
The base HS code 500400 for Silk 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 silk yarn in Brazil?
In Brazil, silk yarn (HS 500400) is classified under NCM 5004.00.00.