HTS Chapter 50: Silk

HTS Chapter 50 covers silk and silk waste, including raw silk, silk yarn, and woven fabrics of silk or silk waste. For example, heading 5007 covers woven fabrics, but the correct classification depends on details such as the fiber content, fabric construction, and any applicable legal notes or exclusions.

The HTS is organized from broad to specific: chapter, heading, subheading, and usually a 10-digit statistical code. Start with Chapter 50, identify the appropriate four-digit heading, narrow it to the relevant subheading using its wording and chapter notes, and then confirm the complete 10-digit code in the current HTSUS. Classification is generally based on the goods as imported, not simply on how the buyer intends to use them.

What to check

• Verify the product’s actual fiber composition, including whether it contains silk waste or other textile fibers, using specifications, test results, and supplier records.
• Determine the product form and construction: distinguish fibers, yarns, and woven fabrics, and check details such as fabric type, finishing, width, and weight when the subheading requires them.
• Read the legal notes for Chapter 50 and any relevant textile or Section XI notes, and check exclusions that may direct the product to another chapter or heading.
• Compare the heading and subheading descriptions with the complete product facts; do not select a code based only on the commercial name, intended use, or supplier’s code.
• Check the current HTSUS and any applicable Chapter 99 provisions, since additional duties or other measures may apply based on origin, trade program eligibility, product features, or government actions. Seek customs-broker or classification advice when the fiber blend, construction, or legal notes are unclear.