HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 5211.42 – Fabrics, woven; containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, of yarns of different colours, denim

HS code 5211.42 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, of yarns of different colours, denim. It is used for stretch denim fabric, indigo cotton-poly denim, black denim blend, selvedge denim blend and slub denim blend.

What HS 5211.42 covers

This specific HS code covers heavy denim fabrics, weighing over 200g/m², where the composition is less than 85% cotton, blended primarily with man-made fibers, and woven with yarns of different colors. This typically refers to classic indigo denim where warp yarns are dyed (often indigo) and weft yarns are undyed or a different color, creating the characteristic denim look. The inclusion of man-made fibers enhances durability, stretch, or specific performance characteristics. These fabrics are a cornerstone for manufacturers of jeans, jackets, and other heavy-duty apparel. Major importers are garment manufacturing hubs globally, particularly those specializing in denim wear, such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Mexico. Leading exporters include countries with advanced denim mills like China, India, and Turkey. Traders must assess the specific blend ratio, indigo shade consistency, and the fabric's stretch or recovery properties, which are critical for modern denim applications.

Covers
  • Stretch denim fabric
  • Indigo cotton-poly denim
  • Black denim blend
  • Selvedge denim blend
  • Slub denim blend
  • Coated denim blend
  • Heavy workwear denim
Examples
  • Cone Denim (stretch denim blends)
  • Isko (performance denim blends)
  • Orta Anadolu (sustainable denim blends)
  • Artistic Fabric Mills (heavy denim blends)

Codes often confused with 5211.42

Common mistake. This code is distinct from 520942 (heavy cotton denim, not blended with man-made fibers) due to the fiber composition, and from 521143 (twill weaves other than denim) due to the specific denim weave structure.

5209.42Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, weighing more than 200g/m2, denim5211.43Fabrics, woven; containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, of yarns of different colours, 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill

Top exporters and importers of HS code 521142, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 521142 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 74% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 38% 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 $1.3B
  2. 2 India $140M
  3. 3 Pakistan $104M

World total: $1.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Bangladesh* ~$518M
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$160M
  3. 3 Cambodia* ~$90M

World total: $1.4B 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 codes for 5211.42 2

Brazil splits HS 5211.42 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 5211.42.10 CI 73000 indigo cotton-mix denim, over 200 g/m²Com fios tintos em indigo blue segundo Color Index 73000
  2. 5211.42.90 Other cotton-mix denim, over 200 g/m²Outros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 52.11 →

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

Questions about HS 5211.42

What is HS code 521142?

HS code 521142 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, of yarns of different colours, denim. This specific HS code covers heavy denim fabrics, weighing over 200g/m², where the composition is less than 85% cotton, blended primarily with man-made fibers, and woven with yarns of different colors. This typically refers to classic indigo denim where warp yarns are dyed (often indigo) and weft yarns are undyed or a different color, creating the characteristic denim look. The inclusion of man-made fibers enhances durability, stretch, or specific performance characteristics. These fabrics are a cornerstone for manufacturers of jeans, jackets, and other heavy-duty apparel. Major importers are garment manufacturing hubs globally, particularly those specializing in denim wear, such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Mexico. Leading exporters include countries with advanced denim mills like China, India, and Turkey. Traders must assess the specific blend ratio, indigo shade consistency, and the fabric's stretch or recovery properties, which are critical for modern denim applications.

What products fall under HS code 521142?

Stretch denim fabric, Indigo cotton-poly denim, Black denim blend, Selvedge denim blend, Slub denim blend, Coated denim blend, Heavy workwear denim

What are common misclassifications for HS code 521142?

This code is distinct from 520942 (heavy cotton denim, not blended with man-made fibers) due to the fiber composition, and from 521143 (twill weaves other than denim) due to the specific denim weave structure.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 521142?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 521142 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.3B, 74% of world exports), India ($140M) and Pakistan ($104M). World exports came to about $1.7B, 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 521142?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 521142 in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $518M, 38% of world imports), Vietnam (about $160M) and Cambodia (about $90M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 521142 structured?

HS code 521142 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (52) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (11) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (42) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 521142?

Brazil splits HS code 521142 into 2 NCM codes: 5211.42.10 (CI 73000 indigo cotton-mix denim, over 200 g/m²), 5211.42.90 (Other cotton-mix denim, over 200 g/m²). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.