Silk; silk-worm cocoons suitable for reeling

HS code 500100 covers the trade of raw silk and silk-worm cocoons suitable for reeling. The silk industry is a vital part of the global textile and apparel supply chain, with silk fibers prized for their natural luster, softness, and durability. As a high-value, luxury material, silk production and trade plays an important role in the economies of major silk-producing nations around the world.

The production of raw silk begins with the rearing of silk-worm larvae, which spin cocoons of raw silk fiber. These cocoons are then boiled and the silk fibers are carefully unwound and processed into raw silk. The silk is then often woven into fabrics, which can undergo further dyeing, finishing, and manufacturing processes before being exported globally.

The key inputs for the silk industry include the mulberry leaves used to feed the silk-worm larvae, as well as the specialized equipment and facilities required for silk-worm rearing, cocoon harvesting, and silk fiber processing. Major producers also require access to skilled labor for the labor-intensive silk production process.

The primary output of HS code 500100 is raw silk and silk-worm cocoons suitable for reeling. These materials are then further processed and woven into a variety of silk fabrics, garments, and other silk-based products classified under other HS codes such as 500710 Woven fabrics of silk or of silk waste and 620610 Women's or girls' blouses, shirts and shirt-blouses, of silk or silk waste.