5205.11 - Not exceeding 14 nm:

This HTS category, 5205.11, specifically classifies single yarns of cotton, made from uncombed fibers, that contain 85 percent or more cotton by weight and are not put up for retail sale. The key characteristic defining this group is its yarn count, or tex (nm), which signifies the linear density of the yarn. For this particular classification, the yarn must have a tex not exceeding 14 nm. This means it is a relatively finer yarn compared to some of its counterparts within the broader 5205 heading.

Distinguishing 5205.11 from its siblings is crucial for accurate classification. While all fall under single yarns of uncombed cotton fibers, the difference lies solely in the yarn's thickness. For instance, 5205.12 covers yarns exceeding 14 nm but not exceeding 43 nm, 5205.13 covers yarns exceeding 43 nm but not exceeding 52 nm, and so forth, with progressively coarser yarns assigned to higher nm ranges. Therefore, the precise measurement of the yarn's tex is the determining factor in selecting the correct HTS code within this group.

Within 5205.11, further subdivisions exist to refine the classification based on the yarn's processing. The subcategories, 5205.11.10.00 and 5205.11.20.00, differentiate between unbleached, non-mercerized yarns and all other types of yarns that fit the primary description. This distinction is important as the visual appearance and finishing treatments can impact the yarn's properties and intended use, guiding importers and exporters to the most precise classification for customs purposes.