HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5212.11 – Fabrics, woven; of cotton, unbleached, weighing not more than 200g/m2, n.e.c. in chapter 52
HS code 5212.11 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, of cotton, unbleached, weighing not more than 200g/m2, n.e.c. in chapter 52. It is used for grey fabric, greige cotton cloth, unfinished cotton sheeting, raw cotton poplin and unprocessed cotton voile.
What HS 5212.11 covers
This code covers lightweight, unbleached woven cotton fabrics, which are fundamental raw materials in the global textile industry. These fabrics are traded extensively, often destined for further processing like bleaching, dyeing, or printing before being cut and sewn into finished garments or home textiles. Major importers include countries with robust garment manufacturing sectors, such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Mexico, which source these base fabrics from large cotton-producing and weaving nations like India, China, and Pakistan. Key things to know involve understanding the raw state of the fabric, its natural off-white or greyish color, and its suitability for various finishing treatments. The trade in these goods is driven by global fashion trends, manufacturing outsourcing, and the demand for cost-effective textile inputs.
- Covers
- Grey fabric
- Greige cotton cloth
- Unfinished cotton sheeting
- Raw cotton poplin
- Unprocessed cotton voile
- Loom-state cotton twill
- Unbleached cotton muslin
- Examples
- Unbleached calico for craft
- Raw cotton for garment lining
- Greige fabric rolls from Arvind Ltd.
- Unfinished cotton from Trident Group
- Loom-state fabric for dyeing houses
Codes often confused with 5212.11
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 520811 (unbleached plain weave cotton fabrics, <200g/m2) if the specific weave or composition characteristics that place it under "n.e.c." are overlooked. It might also be confused with 521221 if the fabric's weight is incorrectly measured.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 521211, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 521211 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 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 China $13M 52% of world exports
- 2 Pakistan $5.1M 20% of world exports
- 3 Italy $2.2M 8.4% of world exports
World total: $26M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $8.3M 31% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$4.2M 15% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Bangladesh* ~$2.6M 9.6% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $27M 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 5212.11
Brazil does not split HS 5212.11: its NCM code is 5212.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 52.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5212.11
What is HS code 521211?
HS code 521211 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; of cotton, unbleached, weighing not more than 200g/m2, n.e.c. in chapter 52. This code covers lightweight, unbleached woven cotton fabrics, which are fundamental raw materials in the global textile industry. These fabrics are traded extensively, often destined for further processing like bleaching, dyeing, or printing before being cut and sewn into finished garments or home textiles. Major importers include countries with robust garment manufacturing sectors, such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Mexico, which source these base fabrics from large cotton-producing and weaving nations like India, China, and Pakistan. Key things to know involve understanding the raw state of the fabric, its natural off-white or greyish color, and its suitability for various finishing treatments. The trade in these goods is driven by global fashion trends, manufacturing outsourcing, and the demand for cost-effective textile inputs.
What products fall under HS code 521211?
Grey fabric, Greige cotton cloth, Unfinished cotton sheeting, Raw cotton poplin, Unprocessed cotton voile, Loom-state cotton twill, Unbleached cotton muslin
What are common misclassifications for HS code 521211?
This code can be confused with 520811 (unbleached plain weave cotton fabrics, <200g/m2) if the specific weave or composition characteristics that place it under "n.e.c." are overlooked. It might also be confused with 521221 if the fabric's weight is incorrectly measured.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 521211?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 521211 in UN Comtrade data were China ($13M, 52% of world exports), Pakistan ($5.1M) and Italy ($2.2M). World exports came to about $26M, 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 521211?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 521211 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($8.3M, 31% of world imports), Vietnam (about $4.2M) and Bangladesh (about $2.6M). World imports came to about $27M, 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 521211 structured?
HS code 521211 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (52) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) 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 521211?
In Brazil, HS code 521211 is NCM 5212.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.