Sewing thread of man-made filaments, whether or not put up for retail sale
2 declarable lines
Heading 5401 covers sewing thread made from man-made filaments, whether or not it is put up for retail sale. It is split by the type of filament: 5401.10 for synthetic filaments and 5401.20 for artificial filaments. Both lines carry the same general (MFN) rate of 11.4%.
Products in this heading
- Polyester filament sewing thread wound on cones for factory use
- Nylon filament sewing thread on small retail spools
- Synthetic filament thread sold in retail packs for hand sewing
- Viscose rayon filament sewing thread for garment assembly
- Artificial filament sewing thread on cones for upholstery work
- Bonded synthetic filament thread used on high-speed industrial machines
- Filament sewing thread put up on bobbins for tailoring
How to choose the right subheading
- Filament type: synthetic (5401.10) or artificial (5401.20).
- Whether the item is actually sewing thread rather than yarn for fabric production.
- Whether the thread is of filament or of staple fibre, which decides between chapter 54 and heading 5508.
- For monofilament, the decitex, since 67 decitex or more moves it to heading 5404.
- Retail packing does not change the subheading within 5401.
Often confused with
- Heading 5402Synthetic filament yarn for weaving or knitting, not sewing thread
Yarn for fabric production stays in 5402; 5401 is limited to sewing thread.
- Heading 5403Artificial filament yarn, not sewing thread
Non-sewing artificial filament yarn is classified outside the sewing thread heading.
- Heading 5508Sewing thread of man-made staple fibres
Staple fibre thread is covered by heading 5508, not by the filament heading.
- Heading 5204Cotton sewing thread
Cotton thread is classified in chapter 52, not as a man-made filament.
- Heading 5404Synthetic monofilament of 67 decitex or more
Monofilament above that size is classified in 5404 rather than as sewing thread.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for polyester sewing thread?
Polyester is a synthetic filament, so the code is 5401.10.00.00. The general (MFN) rate is 11.4%.
What is the duty on artificial filament sewing thread?
Artificial filament sewing thread falls under 5401.20.00.00. The general (MFN) rate is 11.4%.
How do I classify spools of synthetic sewing thread sold at retail?
Being put up for retail sale does not move the item out of heading 5401. Synthetic filament sewing thread is 5401.10.00.00 at 11.4% general (MFN).
Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.