Product classification
HS code for Spun silk yarn (bulk): 5005.00
Silk, yarn spun from silk waste, not put up for retail sale.
Classification of spun silk yarn (bulk) under HS 5005.00
Spun silk yarn in bulk is classified under HS code 5005.00. This code is part of Chapter 50, which covers silk and silk-related products. The classification is determined by the source of the fiber and the intended market stage. Unlike raw silk (5004.00), which is produced by reeling continuous filaments from cocoons, spun silk is manufactured from silk waste. This waste includes broken cocoons, fluff, and other by-products of the reeling process that are combed and spun into yarn, similar to the process used for cotton or wool. The designation "not put up for retail sale" is a technical requirement for 5005.00, meaning the yarn is typically wound on large cones, bobbins, or in large hanks intended for industrial weaving or knitting machines. If the yarn were packaged in small quantities for individual consumers, it would move to heading 5006. This distinction ensures that industrial raw materials are tracked separately from finished consumer goods. Spun silk yarn is valued for its soft texture and is often used in high-end textiles, but because it is made from shorter fibers (waste), it is classified separately from the more expensive continuous filament yarns.
- Covers
- Schappe silk yarn in bulk
- Bourette silk yarn (from waste)
- Industrial spun silk on cones
- Unbleached or bleached spun silk yarn
- Dyed spun silk yarn for industrial weaving
- Also under 5005.00
- Spun silk yarn for weaving
- Silk noil yarn for knitwear
- Schappe silk yarn for upholstery
- Bourette silk yarn for artisanal fabrics
Codes often confused with 5005.00
Common mistake. Spun silk yarn is frequently misclassified under 5004.00, which is reserved for silk yarn made from raw silk (not waste). The distinction lies in the manufacturing process: reeling vs. spinning. Another common error is 5006.00, which applies to silk yarn "put up for retail sale." To avoid this, one must check the weight and packaging; generally, yarn on cones exceeding 125 grams or in hanks of a certain weight is considered bulk. Additionally, yarns made from a blend of silk and other fibers (like wool or cotton) may be classified in Chapters 51 or 52 depending on which fiber predominates by weight, according to the Section XI Note 2.
Top exporters and importers of HS 500500 (the code used for spun silk yarn (bulk)), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 500500 (the code used for spun silk yarn (bulk)) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 74% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 46% 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 500500, not only spun silk yarn (bulk).
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $76M 74% of world exports
- 2 Italy $11M 11% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $3.5M 3.4% of world exports
World total: $103M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $41M 46% of world imports
- 2 Japan $11M 13% of world imports
- 3 India $5.7M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $89M 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 spun silk yarn (bulk)
Brazil classifies spun silk yarn (bulk) under NCM 5005.00.00: HS 5005.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about spun silk yarn (bulk)
What is the HS code for Spun silk yarn (bulk)?
The HS code for Spun silk yarn (bulk) is 500500 (Silk; yarn spun from silk waste, not put up for retail sale).
How do I classify Spun silk yarn (bulk) for customs?
Spun silk yarn (bulk) is classified under HS code 500500 — Silk; yarn spun from silk waste, not put up for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for spun silk yarn?
The HS code for yarn spun from silk waste, not put up for retail sale, is 5005.00.
What does "not put up for retail sale" mean?
It refers to yarn packaged for industrial use, typically on large cones or in bulk hanks, rather than small balls or skeins intended for individual hobbyists.
Which countries are the top exporters of spun silk yarn (bulk) (HS 500500)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 500500 (the code used for spun silk yarn (bulk)) in UN Comtrade data were China ($76M, 74% of world exports), Italy ($11M) and Switzerland ($3.5M). World exports came to about $103M, 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 spun silk yarn (bulk) (HS 500500)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 500500 (the code used for spun silk yarn (bulk)) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($41M, 46% of world imports), Japan ($11M) and India ($5.7M). World imports came to about $89M, 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 Spun silk yarn (bulk) the same in all countries?
The base HS code 500500 for Spun silk yarn (bulk) 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 spun silk yarn (bulk) in Brazil?
In Brazil, spun silk yarn (bulk) (HS 500500) is classified under NCM 5005.00.00.