HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 5208.51 – Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, printed, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2

HS code 5208.51 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, printed, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. It is used for printed cotton lawn, printed voile, lightweight printed poplin, printed muslin and printed shirting.

What HS 5208.51 covers

This HS code covers very lightweight woven cotton fabrics (not more than 100 g/m²) with 85% or more cotton, featuring a plain weave and patterns applied through printing. These fabrics offer immense design flexibility, allowing for a wide array of colors and motifs to be surface-applied. They are highly popular for summer apparel, children's clothing, scarves, and decorative linings due to their breathability and vibrant aesthetics. Importers include fast fashion retailers, children's wear manufacturers, and craft suppliers who value the versatility and cost-effectiveness of printed designs. Exporters are textile mills with advanced printing capabilities, often located in major textile-producing countries, catering to global fashion trends.

Covers
  • Printed cotton lawn
  • Printed voile
  • Lightweight printed poplin
  • Printed muslin
  • Printed shirting
  • Printed calico
Examples
  • Liberty London (floral prints)
  • Cath Kidston (vintage prints)
  • H&M (printed dresses)
  • Target (children's printed fabrics)

Codes often confused with 5208.51

Common mistake. Often confused with 520841 (yarn-dyed plain weave) if the pattern origin (printed vs. woven) is not distinguished, or 520852 (heavier printed plain weave) if weight is not accurately assessed.

5208.41Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m25208.52Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, printed, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2

Top exporters and importers of HS code 520851, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520851 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Arab Emirates, with about 31% 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 India $155M
  2. 2 China $107M
  3. 3 Italy $56M

World total: $391M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United Arab Emirates* ~$105M
  2. 2 Pakistan $42M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$18M

World total: $340M 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 5208.51

Brazil does not split HS 5208.51: its NCM code is 5208.51.00.

  1. 5208.51.00 Printed 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 5208.51

What is HS code 520851?

HS code 520851 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, printed, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. This HS code covers very lightweight woven cotton fabrics (not more than 100 g/m²) with 85% or more cotton, featuring a plain weave and patterns applied through printing. These fabrics offer immense design flexibility, allowing for a wide array of colors and motifs to be surface-applied. They are highly popular for summer apparel, children's clothing, scarves, and decorative linings due to their breathability and vibrant aesthetics. Importers include fast fashion retailers, children's wear manufacturers, and craft suppliers who value the versatility and cost-effectiveness of printed designs. Exporters are textile mills with advanced printing capabilities, often located in major textile-producing countries, catering to global fashion trends.

What products fall under HS code 520851?

Printed cotton lawn, printed voile, lightweight printed poplin, printed muslin, printed shirting, printed calico

What are common misclassifications for HS code 520851?

Often confused with 520841 (yarn-dyed plain weave) if the pattern origin (printed vs. woven) is not distinguished, or 520852 (heavier printed plain weave) if weight is not accurately assessed.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520851?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520851 in UN Comtrade data were India ($155M, 40% of world exports), China ($107M) and Italy ($56M). World exports came to about $391M, 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 520851?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520851 in UN Comtrade data were the United Arab Emirates (about $105M, 31% of world imports), Pakistan ($42M) and Vietnam (about $18M). World imports came to about $340M, 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 520851 structured?

HS code 520851 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 (51) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 520851?

In Brazil, HS code 520851 is NCM 5208.51.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.