Silk; yarn spun from silk waste, not put up for retail sale

HS code 500500 covers the production and trade of silk and silk waste yarn. Silk is a natural, protein-based fiber known for its luxurious softness, sheen, and durability. The silk industry is an important part of the global textile and apparel supply chain, with applications ranging from high-end fashion to industrial textiles. As a specialty fiber, silk production and trade play a significant role in the economies of major silk-producing countries.

The production of silk yarn involves several key steps. First, silk is harvested from silkworm cocoons, a process known as silk reeling. The silk fibers are then spun into yarn, either from the raw silk or from silk waste materials. Silk waste, such as short or broken fibers, is also processed into yarn through techniques like carding and spinning. These silk yarns can then be woven or knitted into a variety of silk fabrics and textiles.

The primary input for the silk industry is the silkworm itself, which produces the raw silk fiber. Mulberry leaves are the main food source for silkworms, and their cultivation is an important part of silk production. Other key inputs include specialized silk reeling and spinning machinery, as well as dyes, chemicals, and other materials used in the processing and finishing of silk products.

The main outputs of HS code 500500 are silk yarns and threads, which are then used as inputs for the production of 500710 Woven fabrics of silk or of silk waste and 500720 Woven fabrics obtained from noil silk. These silk fabrics are widely used in the fashion, home textile, and industrial sectors, with applications ranging from luxury apparel to upholstery and technical textiles.