Hair; fine animal hair, not carded or combed, of kashmir (cashmere) goats

HS code 510211 covers the classification of fine animal hair, specifically from Kashmir (cashmere) goats, that has not been carded or combed. This industry is of significant importance within the global textile and apparel supply chain, as cashmere wool is highly sought after for its exceptional softness, warmth, and durability. The production and trade of this fine animal hair plays a crucial role in the economies of several countries, particularly those with climates suitable for cashmere goat rearing.

The production of cashmere wool involves a multi-step process. First, the fine undercoat hair is manually or mechanically harvested from the cashmere goats during the spring molting season. The raw cashmere is then cleaned, sorted, and dehaired to remove any coarse outer hairs. Finally, the purified cashmere fibers are spun into yarn, which can then be woven or knitted into a variety of high-end textile products.

The primary input for this industry is the fine undercoat hair from Kashmir (cashmere) goats. These goats are typically found in the mountainous regions of Central Asia, with the largest populations in China, Mongolia, and parts of the Indian subcontinent. In addition to the raw cashmere, the production process also requires specialized machinery for cleaning, sorting, and spinning the fibers, as well as skilled labor to carry out these tasks.

The main output of HS code 510211 is the fine, unprocessed cashmere wool. This material is then consumed by a variety of downstream industries, including 510221 (Hair; fine animal hair, carded or combed, of Kashmir (cashmere) goats), 510229 Hair; fine animal hair, carded or combed, of other animals, and 510310 Wool; noils of wool or of fine animal hair, which further process the cashmere into yarns, fabrics, and finished textile products.