HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 5208.21 – Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2

HS code 5208.21 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. It is used for bleached muslin, bleached voile, bleached lawn, bleached cheesecloth and bleached cambric.

What HS 5208.21 covers

This code covers lightweight, bleached cotton fabrics in a plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. Unlike their unbleached counterparts, these fabrics have already undergone a bleaching process, resulting in a clean, white appearance, ready for immediate use or further dyeing/printing. They are essential inputs for manufacturers of fine apparel, medical textiles, and lightweight home furnishings. Importers are typically garment factories, hospitals, and textile converters seeking pre-processed, clean cotton fabric. Exporters are textile mills with bleaching capabilities, often located in major textile-producing regions. The "bleached" state adds value by reducing a processing step for the buyer, making it suitable for products where a pure white base is desired or where subsequent light coloring is planned.

Covers
  • Bleached muslin
  • Bleached voile
  • Bleached lawn
  • Bleached cheesecloth
  • Bleached cambric
  • Bleached fine shirting
  • Bleached lightweight sheeting
Examples
  • White muslin for dressmaking
  • bleached voile for sheer curtains
  • medical gauze
  • white cotton handkerchiefs
  • bleached baby clothes fabric

Codes often confused with 5208.21

Common mistake. Can be confused with 520811 if the bleaching status is overlooked, or with 520822 if the weight exceeds 100g/m2.

5208.11Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m25208.22Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2

Top exporters and importers of HS code 520821, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520821 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Morocco, with 12% 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. 1 China $94M
  2. 2 India $40M
  3. 3 Pakistan $34M

World total: $214M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Morocco $22M
  2. 2 Mauritania* ~$16M
  3. 3 Algeria* ~$14M

World total: $174M 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 5208.21

Brazil does not split HS 5208.21: its NCM code is 5208.21.00.

  1. 5208.21.00 Bleached 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.

Questions about HS 5208.21

What is HS code 520821?

HS code 520821 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. This code covers lightweight, bleached cotton fabrics in a plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. Unlike their unbleached counterparts, these fabrics have already undergone a bleaching process, resulting in a clean, white appearance, ready for immediate use or further dyeing/printing. They are essential inputs for manufacturers of fine apparel, medical textiles, and lightweight home furnishings. Importers are typically garment factories, hospitals, and textile converters seeking pre-processed, clean cotton fabric. Exporters are textile mills with bleaching capabilities, often located in major textile-producing regions. The "bleached" state adds value by reducing a processing step for the buyer, making it suitable for products where a pure white base is desired or where subsequent light coloring is planned.

What products fall under HS code 520821?

Bleached muslin, bleached voile, bleached lawn, bleached cheesecloth, bleached cambric, bleached fine shirting, bleached lightweight sheeting

What are common misclassifications for HS code 520821?

Can be confused with 520811 if the bleaching status is overlooked, or with 520822 if the weight exceeds 100g/m2.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520821?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520821 in UN Comtrade data were China ($94M, 44% of world exports), India ($40M) and Pakistan ($34M). World exports came to about $214M, 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 520821?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520821 in UN Comtrade data were Morocco ($22M, 12% of world imports), Mauritania (about $16M) and Algeria (about $14M). World imports came to about $174M, 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 520821 structured?

HS code 520821 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 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520821?

In Brazil, HS code 520821 is NCM 5208.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.