U.S. imports of Cotton Sewing Thread, Not Packaged for Retail Sale (SITC 65121) totaled $327K in August 2026, imported from 34 countries.
Importers of Cotton Sewing Thread, Not Packaged for Retail Sale paid $29K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 8.75% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Cotton Sewing Thread, Not Packaged for Retail Sale imports of $327K in August 2026 ran 67% above the year-to-date monthly average of $196K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataIndustrial-grade cotton sewing thread sold in bulk cones, tubes, or spools intended for garment manufacturers, textile mills, and cut-and-sew operations rather than end consumers. The absence of retail packaging is the defining classification criterion here, distinguishing this product from its retail-packaged counterpart and reflecting its role as a production input rather than a consumer good. Cotton thread in this form is a foundational supply-chain commodity for apparel and home-textile manufacturing, where consistent tensile strength, twist, and ticket number specifications drive sourcing decisions.
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27 import shipments a month
Customs authorities look for evidence that the thread is presented in industrial formats — large cones, tubes, or cross-wound packages — rather than consumer-ready retail units. Commercial invoices, packing lists, and product specifications showing spool size, yardage, and intended industrial end-use help substantiate the classification. If thread arrives in mixed shipments containing both retail and non-retail formats, each presentation must be classified separately.
Ticket number (a standardized measure of thread fineness) and twist direction (S-twist or Z-twist) are key procurement specifications for industrial buyers. Mismatched twist direction can cause seam puckering on high-speed sewing machines, while incorrect ticket numbers affect stitch quality and needle compatibility. Importers sourcing from multiple origins should verify that these parameters are consistent across supplier lots to avoid production disruptions.
Basic heading 65121 · $327K of $27.0B
Imports · August 2026
origin
Italy and Egypt together supply 86% of it. China pays 41.6% duty; Egypt 4.8%.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
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ImportsExports
Imports
$327KYoY · free account
Exports
$117KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $2.5M of Cotton Sewing Thread, Not Packaged for Retail Sale and exported $919K.
Fewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade, or the latest month was under $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.