Sewing thread of man-made filaments — HTS 5401
Sewing thread of man-made filaments, whether or not put up for retail sale
Chapter 54 › Heading 5401
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 5401 is a broad product category for sewing thread made from man-made filaments. It can include thread prepared for sewing and packaged for industrial use or retail sale; retail packaging by itself does not necessarily move the product outside this heading.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTS code, first confirm that the product is actually sewing thread rather than yarn intended for another use. Then follow the heading’s subdivisions, which commonly distinguish the thread by its man-made fiber or polymer type and by other characteristics stated in the tariff. The full code may also depend on how the thread is put up or packaged. Verify the current tariff description and any relevant legal notes before filing.
What to check
- Confirm the thread’s actual use and construction: sewing thread is not automatically the same as ordinary filament yarn.
- Identify the filament material from supplier specifications, such as the polymer or fiber type, and check whether the tariff distinguishes it.
- Review the product’s packaging and presentation, including whether it is prepared for retail sale, if the subheading asks for that information.
- Compare the product description, technical data sheet, and labeling with every part of the candidate 8-digit code—not just the heading title.
- If the material, construction, or intended use is unclear, obtain a customs broker’s classification advice or consider requesting a formal ruling.
HTS heading 5401 summary
Sewing thread of man-made filaments is a 4-digit product category containing 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5401.10.00.00 👉 | Of synthetic filaments (200) | 11.4% | Free | 55% |
| 5401.20.00.00 👉 | Of artificial filaments (200) | 11.4% | Free | 55% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 5401?
Sewing thread of man-made filaments, whether or 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.