HTS code for yarn (2026)
Yarn has no single code. For cotton yarn of 85 percent or more cotton by weight that is not put up for retail sale, a common line is 5205.22.00.20 (single yarn of combed fibers, exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm, ring spun), with a general (column 1) rate of 7.3%. For polyester, single yarn of staple fibers with 85 percent or more polyester falls under 5509.21.00.00 at 9.7%.
The attribute that most often moves the line is the fiber: cotton, polyester staple, polyester filament or rubber covered. After that, for cotton, whether the fibers are combed, whether the yarn is single or multiple, and the yarn count decide the line.
Candidate HTS lines for yarn
| Code | Line | General rate | Special rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5205.22.00.20 | Ring spun (301) (kg) Exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm Use when: Single cotton yarn of combed fibers, 85 percent or more cotton by weight, not put up for retail sale, exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm, ring spun. | 7.3% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 5205.22.00.90 | Other (301) (kg) Exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm Use when: Single cotton yarn of combed fibers, 85 percent or more cotton by weight, not put up for retail sale, exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm, other than ring spun. | 7.3% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 5509.21.00.00 | Single yarn (604) (kg) Containing 85 percent or more by weight of polyester staple fibers: Use when: Single yarn of synthetic staple fibers containing 85 percent or more polyester staple fibers by weight, not put up for retail sale. | 9.7% | Free (AU,BH, CL,CO,IL,JO,KR, MA,OM,P, PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 5402.33.30.00 | Single yarn (600) (kg) Textured yarn: › Of polyesters: Use when: Textured polyester filament yarn, single yarn, not put up for retail sale. | 8.8% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 5402.33.60.00 | Multiple (folded) or cabled yarn (600) (kg) Textured yarn: › Of polyesters: Use when: Textured polyester filament yarn that is multiple (folded) or cabled, not put up for retail sale. | 8% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 5205.21.00.20 | Ring spun (301) (kg) Not exceeding 14 nm Use when: Ring spun single cotton yarn of combed fibers, 85 percent or more cotton, not put up for retail sale, not exceeding 14 nm. | 5.8% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 5205.32.00.00 | Exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm per single yarn (300) (kg) Use when: Multiple (folded) or cabled cotton yarn of uncombed fibers, 85 percent or more cotton, not put up for retail sale, exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm per single yarn. | 7.3% | Free (AU,BH, CL,CO,IL,JO,KR, MA,OM, P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 5205.12.20.00 | Other (300) (kg) Single yarn, of uncombed fibers: › Exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm: Use when: Single cotton yarn of uncombed fibers, exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm, other than unbleached, not mercerized. | 6.5% | Free (AU,BH, CL,CO,IL,JO,KR, MA,OM, P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 5205.11.20.00 | Other (300) (kg) Single yarn, of uncombed fibers: › Not exceeding 14 nm: Use when: Single cotton yarn of uncombed fibers, not exceeding 14 nm, other than unbleached, not mercerized. | 5% | Free (AU,BH, CL,CO,IL,JO,KR, MA,OM, P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 5509.61.00.00 | Mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair (607) (kg) Use when: Yarn of acrylic or modacrylic staple fibers, not put up for retail sale, mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair. | 13.2% | Free (AU,BH, CL,CO,IL,JO,KR, MA,OM,P, PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 5604.10.00.00 | Rubber thread and cord, textile covered (201) (kg) Use when: Rubber thread and cord, textile covered. | 6.3% | Free (AU,BH, CL,CO,IL,JO,KR, MA,OM,P, PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 5205.31.00.00 | Not exceeding 14 nm per single yarn (300) (kg) Use when: Multiple (folded) or cabled cotton yarn of uncombed fibers, 85 percent or more cotton, not put up for retail sale, not exceeding 14 nm per single yarn. | 5.8% | Free (AU,BH, CL,CO,IL,JO, KR,MA,OM, P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
Chapter 99 duties and claims that attach to these lines today
Section 301 China
- 9903.88.03 Section 301 China, +25%, applies to 5205.22.00.20, 5205.22.00.90, 5509.21.00.00, 5402.33.30.00, 5402.33.60.00, 5205.21.00.20, 5205.32.00.00, 5205.12.20.00, 5205.11.20.00, 5509.61.00.00, 5604.10.00.00, 5205.31.00.00 9903.88.03 Explained: Section 301 China List 4, 25% Duty Rate
Each applicable Chapter 99 heading is reported as its own line beside the classification. Its duty is separate from the general rate above; most programs charge it on top, and a heading's own text says how it is assessed.
What decides the line
A classifier checks the fiber and form first. Cotton yarn with 85 percent or more cotton by weight goes to the cotton lines, such as 5205.22.00.20. Single yarn of synthetic staple fibers with 85 percent or more polyester staple fibers goes to 5509.21.00.00, while yarn of acrylic or modacrylic staple fibers mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair goes to 5509.61.00.00. Textured polyester filament yarn goes to 5402.33.30.00 if single and 5402.33.60.00 if multiple (folded) or cabled. Textile covered rubber thread and cord goes to 5604.10.00.00.
Next, confirm the yarn is not put up for retail sale and is not sewing thread. The cotton and synthetic yarn lines named here are for yarn other than sewing thread and not put up for retail sale, so confirm the retail definition in the current HTSUS if your yarn is sold in small packages.
For cotton, check whether the fibers are combed or uncombed and whether the yarn is single or multiple (folded) or cabled, then the count. Single yarn of combed fibers is 5205.21.00.20 (ring spun) or 5205.21.00.90 (other) when not exceeding 14 nm, and 5205.22.00.20 or 5205.22.00.90 when exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm. Single yarn of uncombed fibers is on lines such as 5205.11.20.00 and 5205.12.20.00, which also split on whether the yarn is unbleached, not mercerized. Multiple (folded) or cabled yarn of uncombed fibers is 5205.31.00.00 or 5205.32.00.00, by the count per single yarn.
Last, for single yarn of combed fibers the schedule separates ring spun from other yarn within a count range, for example 5205.22.00.20 against 5205.22.00.90. Both carry the same general rate of 7.3%, but the reporting line must match the yarn.
Common mistakes
- Entering textured polyester filament yarn under the staple fiber line 5509.21.00.00, when it belongs under 5402.33.30.00 (single) or 5402.33.60.00 (multiple (folded) or cabled).
- Entering folded or cabled textured polyester filament yarn under the single yarn line 5402.33.30.00 (8.8%), when the correct line is 5402.33.60.00 (8%).
- Using 5205.22.00.20 for combed single cotton yarn not exceeding 14 nm, when the count belongs under 5205.21.00.20 or 5205.21.00.90.
- Using a combed fiber line such as 5205.22.00.20 for single yarn of uncombed fibers, which belongs on lines such as 5205.12.20.00.
- Leaving out the separate Chapter 99 line 9903.88.03 (Section 301 China, +25%) when it applies to the yarn, since it is reported beside the classification and charged on top of the general rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for yarn?
It depends on the fiber. Cotton yarn with 85 percent or more cotton falls in the 5205 lines, such as 5205.22.00.20. Polyester staple yarn falls under 5509.21.00.00, textured polyester filament yarn under 5402.33.30.00 or 5402.33.60.00, and textile covered rubber thread under 5604.10.00.00.
What is the duty rate for yarn?
The general (column 1) rate depends on the line. 5205.22.00.20 is 7.3%, 5509.21.00.00 is 9.7%, 5402.33.30.00 is 8.8%, 5402.33.60.00 is 8%, 5509.61.00.00 is 13.2% and 5604.10.00.00 is 6.3%.
Which line takes ring spun cotton yarn compared with other cotton yarn?
For single cotton yarn of combed fibers exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm, ring spun takes 5205.22.00.20 and other yarn takes 5205.22.00.90. Both have a general rate of 7.3%. For combed single yarn not exceeding 14 nm the matching lines are 5205.21.00.20 (ring spun) and 5205.21.00.90 (other), both at 5.8%.
What does Chapter 99 heading 9903.88.03 mean for yarn?
Heading 9903.88.03 is the Section 301 China provision, attached to these yarn lines at +25%. It is reported as its own line beside the classification and its duty is separate from the general rate, charged on top of it.
Does the special rate column apply to my yarn?
The special column shows Free for the listed programs (AU, BH, CL, CO, IL, JO, KR, MA, OM, P, PA, PE, S, SG). Whether your shipment qualifies depends on meeting that program's rules, so confirm in the current HTSUS or with a licensed broker. The column 2 rate, such as 54% on 5509.21.00.00, is a separate rate column.
Do these codes cover sewing thread or yarn sold at retail?
No. The cotton, polyester and synthetic lines named here cover yarn other than sewing thread, not put up for retail sale. If your product is sewing thread or is put up for retail sale, confirm the correct line in the current HTSUS or with a licensed broker.