HSChapter 52
U.S. imports of cotton sewing thread, put up for retail sale (HS 520420) totaled $671K in July 2026, traded with 32 countries.
Importers of Cotton Sewing Thread, Put Up for Retail Sale paid $101K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 15% on $669K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: July 2026 dataRetail-packaged cotton sewing thread — presented on small spools, cards, or blister packs configured for direct consumer sale — classifies under a single 10-digit line (5204200000) regardless of cotton content percentage, distinguishing it from the industrial bulk thread headings. India leads US imports under this heading, with Italy and Romania also significant sources. The retail-packaging criterion is the decisive classification factor: the same thread on an industrial cone would fall under 520411 or 520419 depending on cotton content, making packaging configuration a critical element of the entry documentation.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
254 shipments/mo
Each packaging configuration must be classified separately. The retail-packaged spools classify under 5204200000, while the industrial cones classify under 5204110000 or 5204190000 depending on cotton content percentage. The commercial invoice and packing list should clearly distinguish the two presentations by quantity and packaging type to support separate line-item classification on the entry.
Retail textile products sold in the US must comply with the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act, which requires fiber content labeling, country-of-origin marking, and manufacturer or importer identification on consumer packaging. CBP enforces country-of-origin marking at entry, and the FTC enforces fiber content labeling in commerce. Importers should ensure that retail spool labels are compliant before the goods enter US commerce, as non-compliant labeling can result in detention or redelivery demands.
Subheading 1 of 3 in heading 5204
Subheading 520420 · $671K of $754K
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5204200000 | Cotton Sewing Thread, For Retail Sale | $671K | 14.99% | 99.72% | $101K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 5204200000 | Cotton Sewing Thread, For Retail Sale | $46K |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
ImportsExports
Imports
$671KYoY · Pro
Exports
$46KYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · July 2026
origin
Romania and Italy together supply 50% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
0.3% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 14.99%.