HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 5208.11 – Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2

Q: What is HS code 520811?

HS code 520811 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. This code covers lightweight, unbleached cotton fabrics, typically in a plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. These are fundamental raw materials in the global textile supply chain, often imported by manufacturers in countries with strong garment industries for further processing. Exporters are usually textile-producing nations with abundant cotton resources and manufacturing capabilities. Key things to know include the importance of the "unbleached" state, meaning the fabric is in its natural, raw form, ready for dyeing, printing, or other finishing treatments. Its light weight makes it suitable for specific applications like linings or very fine apparel. Trade in these goods is driven by fashion trends, manufacturing costs, and the availability of raw cotton.

Q: What products fall under HS code 520811?

Muslin, voile, lawn, cheesecloth, cambric, fine shirting fabric, lightweight sheeting

Q: Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520811?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520811 in UN Comtrade data were China ($93M, 36% of world exports), India ($81M) and Vietnam (about $33M). World exports came to about $262M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Q: Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 520811?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520811 in UN Comtrade data were China ($34M, 15% of world imports), South Korea ($20M) and India ($19M). World imports came to about $227M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Q: How is HS code 520811 structured?

HS code 520811 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (52) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

Q: What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520811?

In Brazil, HS code 520811 is NCM 5208.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.

HS code 5208.11 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. It is used for muslin, voile, lawn, cheesecloth and cambric.

What HS 5208.11 covers

This code covers lightweight, unbleached cotton fabrics, typically in a plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. These are fundamental raw materials in the global textile supply chain, often imported by manufacturers in countries with strong garment industries for further processing. Exporters are usually textile-producing nations with abundant cotton resources and manufacturing capabilities. Key things to know include the importance of the "unbleached" state, meaning the fabric is in its natural, raw form, ready for dyeing, printing, or other finishing treatments. Its light weight makes it suitable for specific applications like linings or very fine apparel. Trade in these goods is driven by fashion trends, manufacturing costs, and the availability of raw cotton.

Covers: Muslin
Voile
Lawn
Cheesecloth
Cambric
Fine shirting fabric
Lightweight sheeting
Examples: Unbleached muslin for pattern making
lightweight cotton for baby clothes
raw voile for curtains
natural cotton lining fabric

Codes often confused with 5208.11

Common mistake. Can be confused with 520821 (bleached, plain weave, <=100g/m2) if the unbleached characteristic is overlooked, or with 520812 if the weight exceeds 100g/m2.

5208.21Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2 5208.12Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2

Top exporters and importers of HS code 520811, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520811 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 15% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

1 China $93M 36% of world exports
2 India $81M 31% of world exports
3 Vietnam* ~$33M 13% of world exports · partner records ↗

World total: $262M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

1 China $34M 15% of world imports
2 South Korea $20M 8.7% of world imports
3 India $19M 8.3% of world imports

World total: $227M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

How these figures are built

109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).

Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.

Brazil NCM code for 5208.11

Brazil does not split HS 5208.11: its NCM code is 5208.11.00.

5208.11.00 Unbleached cotton plain weave, up to 100 g/m²Em ponto de tafetá, de peso não superior a 100 g/m²

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 52.08 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Access via API

GET /api/hs-code/520811/

{
  "code": "520811",
  "description": "Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2",
  "section": "XI",
  "parent": "5208"
}

API docs →

Questions about HS 5208.11

What is HS code 520811?

HS code 520811 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. This code covers lightweight, unbleached cotton fabrics, typically in a plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. These are fundamental raw materials in the global textile supply chain, often imported by manufacturers in countries with strong garment industries for further processing. Exporters are usually textile-producing nations with abundant cotton resources and manufacturing capabilities. Key things to know include the importance of the "unbleached" state, meaning the fabric is in its natural, raw form, ready for dyeing, printing, or other finishing treatments. Its light weight makes it suitable for specific applications like linings or very fine apparel. Trade in these goods is driven by fashion trends, manufacturing costs, and the availability of raw cotton.

What products fall under HS code 520811?

Muslin, voile, lawn, cheesecloth, cambric, fine shirting fabric, lightweight sheeting

What are common misclassifications for HS code 520811?

Can be confused with 520821 (bleached, plain weave, <=100g/m2) if the unbleached characteristic is overlooked, or with 520812 if the weight exceeds 100g/m2.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520811?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520811 in UN Comtrade data were China ($93M, 36% of world exports), India ($81M) and Vietnam (about $33M). World exports came to about $262M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 520811?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520811 in UN Comtrade data were China ($34M, 15% of world imports), South Korea ($20M) and India ($19M). World imports came to about $227M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

How is HS code 520811 structured?

HS code 520811 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (52) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520811?

In Brazil, HS code 520811 is NCM 5208.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.