HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5209.11 – Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing more than 200g/m2
HS code 5209.11 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing more than 200g/m2. It is used for heavy cotton sheeting (greige), unbleached canvas, unbleached duck cloth, raw calico and unbleached osnaburg.
What HS 5209.11 covers
This HS code identifies heavy-weight woven cotton fabrics (more than 200 g/m²) with 85% or more cotton content, that are unbleached and feature a plain weave. These are often referred to as 'greige goods' or 'loom-state fabrics,' representing the raw, unfinished material directly from the loom. They serve as the foundational input for further textile processing, including bleaching, dyeing, printing, and various finishing treatments. Importers are typically textile processors, finishers, and manufacturers in countries with robust garment industries, such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey, who add value to the raw fabric. Exporters are large-scale cotton mills, predominantly in China, India, and Pakistan, focusing on consistent quality and bulk supply of these essential base materials.
- Covers
- Heavy cotton sheeting (greige)
- Unbleached canvas
- Unbleached duck cloth
- Raw calico
- Unbleached osnaburg
- Examples
- Cone Mills (raw denim base)
- Mount Vernon Mills (industrial fabrics)
- Shijiazhuang Changshan (greige goods)
- Weiqiao Textile (unbleached fabrics)
Codes often confused with 5209.11
Common mistake. Can be confused with 520912 (unbleached twill) if the weave is not plain, or 520921 (bleached plain weave) if the fabric has undergone initial processing.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 520911, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 520911 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, 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 India $23M 24% of world exports
- 2 Pakistan $17M 17% of world exports
- 3 China $15M 16% of world exports
World total: $95M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Indonesia $11M 12% of world imports
- 2 United States $8.8M 9.8% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $8.5M 9.5% of world imports
World total: $90M 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 5209.11
Brazil does not split HS 5209.11: its NCM code is 5209.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 52.09 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5209.11
What is HS code 520911?
HS code 520911 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 200g/m2. This HS code identifies heavy-weight woven cotton fabrics (more than 200 g/m²) with 85% or more cotton content, that are unbleached and feature a plain weave. These are often referred to as 'greige goods' or 'loom-state fabrics,' representing the raw, unfinished material directly from the loom. They serve as the foundational input for further textile processing, including bleaching, dyeing, printing, and various finishing treatments. Importers are typically textile processors, finishers, and manufacturers in countries with robust garment industries, such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey, who add value to the raw fabric. Exporters are large-scale cotton mills, predominantly in China, India, and Pakistan, focusing on consistent quality and bulk supply of these essential base materials.
What products fall under HS code 520911?
Heavy cotton sheeting (greige), unbleached canvas, unbleached duck cloth, raw calico, unbleached osnaburg
What are common misclassifications for HS code 520911?
Can be confused with 520912 (unbleached twill) if the weave is not plain, or 520921 (bleached plain weave) if the fabric has undergone initial processing.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 520911?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 520911 in UN Comtrade data were India ($23M, 24% of world exports), Pakistan ($17M) and China ($15M). World exports came to about $95M, 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 520911?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 520911 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($11M, 12% of world imports), the United States ($8.8M) and the United Kingdom ($8.5M). World imports came to about $90M, 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 520911 structured?
HS code 520911 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (52) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) 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 520911?
In Brazil, HS code 520911 is NCM 5209.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.