Cotton yarn — HTS 5206
Cotton yarn (other than sewing thread), containing less than 85 percent by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale
Chapter 52 › Heading 5206
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 5206 groups cotton yarn that contains less than 85% cotton by weight, is not sewing thread, and is not put up for retail sale. It covers yarn where cotton is blended with other fibers or materials, provided the product meets the heading’s cotton-content and other conditions. It does not automatically cover every cotton-containing textile product.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTS code, narrow the product through the heading’s subheadings and statistical breakouts. Important distinctions commonly include whether the yarn is single, multiple or cabled, whether it is combed or otherwise prepared, and its yarn count or other technical measurement. The final digits identify the more specific product description used for classification and statistical reporting; confirm the current HTS wording rather than relying only on a product name.
What to check
- Confirm the fiber composition by weight, using a reliable supplier specification or test report, and verify that cotton is below the heading’s stated threshold.
- Confirm the product is yarn rather than sewing thread, and check how it is packaged to determine whether it is put up for retail sale.
- Determine whether the yarn is single, multiple, folded, or cabled, and identify any combing or other preparation described by the tariff.
- Measure or obtain the yarn count, size, or other technical characteristic required by the applicable subheading.
- Compare the complete product facts with the current HTS subheading text and notes; ask a customs broker or classification specialist when the construction or terminology is unclear.
HTS heading 5206 summary
Cotton yarn is a 4-digit product category containing 20 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5206.11.00.00 👉 | Not exceeding 14 nm (300) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.12.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm (300) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.13.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 43 nm but not exceeding 52 nm (300) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.14.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 52 nm but not exceeding 80 nm (300) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.15.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 80 nm (300) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.21.00.00 👉 | Not exceeding 14 nm (301) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.22.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm (301) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.23.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 43 nm but not exceeding 52 nm (301) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.24.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 52 nm but not exceeding 80 nm (301) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.25.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 80 nm (301) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.31.00.00 👉 | Not exceeding 14 nm per single yarn (300) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.32.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm per single yarn (300) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.33.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 43 nm but not exceeding 52 nm per single yarn (300) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.34.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 52 nm but not exceeding 80 nm per single yarn (300) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.35.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 80 nm per single yarn (300) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.41.00.00 👉 | Not exceeding 14 nm per single yarn (301) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.42.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm per single yarn (301) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.43.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 43 nm but not exceeding 52 nm per single yarn (301) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.44.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 52 nm but not exceeding 80 nm per single yarn (301) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
| 5206.45.00.00 👉 | Exceeding 80 nm per single yarn (301) | 9.2% | Free | 40% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 5206?
Cotton yarn (other than sewing thread), containing less than 85 percent by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.