5109 - Yarn of wool or of fine animal hair, put up for retail sale:

This HTS category, 5109, encompasses yarns derived from wool or fine animal hair, specifically those that are prepared and packaged for direct sale to consumers. This designation applies to yarns intended for knitting, crocheting, or other craft purposes, distinguished by their presentation rather than industrial bulk. The key criterion for inclusion is the retail packaging, which signifies an end-use intended for individual consumers.

While other HTS categories within Chapter 51 deal with raw wool, hair, and their processing into fabrics or industrial yarns, HTS 5109 is specifically focused on the retail market. Sibling categories at the root level of the HTS, such as those for live animals (Chapters 01), cover entirely different classes of goods and have no relation to textile materials or their derivatives. Therefore, the primary distinction for 5109 is its end-market and presentation of wool and fine animal hair yarns.

The subcategories within 5109 differentiate yarns based on their fiber content. HTS 5109.10 covers yarns composed of 85% or more by weight of wool or fine animal hair, indicating a high concentration of these premium fibers. Conversely, HTS 5109.90 includes all other yarns in this retail presentation category that do not meet the 85% threshold, which may contain blends with other materials while still being classified under wool or fine animal hair yarns due to the presence of these fibers.