HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5208.12 – Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2
HS code 5208.12 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2. It is used for calico, duck cloth, canvas (lightweight), poplin (unbleached) and sheeting fabric.
What HS 5208.12 covers
This category encompasses medium-weight, unbleached cotton fabrics, characterized by a plain weave and a specific weight range (more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2). These fabrics are crucial intermediates in the textile industry, serving as a base for a wide array of finished products. Importing countries are typically those with robust apparel and home textile manufacturing sectors, seeking cost-effective raw materials for further processing like dyeing, printing, and finishing. Exporters are often large-scale textile producers in Asia. Understanding the "unbleached" nature is vital, as it signifies the fabric's raw state, offering maximum flexibility for subsequent treatments. The medium weight makes it versatile for various applications, from apparel to home furnishings.
- Covers
- Calico
- Duck cloth
- Canvas (lightweight)
- Poplin (unbleached)
- Sheeting fabric
- Drill (unbleached)
- Twill (unbleached, plain weave)
- Examples
- Unbleached calico for prototypes
- raw cotton duck for bags
- natural poplin for shirts
- unbleached sheeting for bedding
Codes often confused with 5208.12
Common mistake. Often confused with 520811 if the weight is misjudged as lighter, or with 520822 if the fabric has undergone bleaching.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 520812, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520812 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 12% of world imports. Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 93% of its imports here ($52M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $258M 38% of world exports
- 2 Pakistan $146M 21% of world exports
- 3 India $110M 16% of world exports
World total: $678M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $68M 12% of world imports
- 2 Pakistan $55M 9.4% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$43M 7.4% of world imports · partner records ↗
Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 93% of its imports here ($52M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $578M 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 5208.12
Brazil does not split HS 5208.12: its NCM code is 5208.12.00.
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.
Questions about HS 5208.12
What is HS code 520812?
HS code 520812 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 more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2. This category encompasses medium-weight, unbleached cotton fabrics, characterized by a plain weave and a specific weight range (more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2). These fabrics are crucial intermediates in the textile industry, serving as a base for a wide array of finished products. Importing countries are typically those with robust apparel and home textile manufacturing sectors, seeking cost-effective raw materials for further processing like dyeing, printing, and finishing. Exporters are often large-scale textile producers in Asia. Understanding the "unbleached" nature is vital, as it signifies the fabric's raw state, offering maximum flexibility for subsequent treatments. The medium weight makes it versatile for various applications, from apparel to home furnishings.
What products fall under HS code 520812?
Calico, duck cloth, canvas (lightweight), poplin (unbleached), sheeting fabric, drill (unbleached), twill (unbleached, plain weave)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 520812?
Often confused with 520811 if the weight is misjudged as lighter, or with 520822 if the fabric has undergone bleaching.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520812?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520812 in UN Comtrade data were China ($258M, 38% of world exports), Pakistan ($146M) and India ($110M). World exports came to about $678M, 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 520812?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520812 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($68M, 12% of world imports), Pakistan ($55M) and Vietnam (about $43M). World imports came to about $578M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 93% of its imports here ($52M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 520812 structured?
HS code 520812 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 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520812?
In Brazil, HS code 520812 is NCM 5208.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.