HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5408.21 – Fabrics, woven; of artificial filament yarn, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial filament, strip or the like, bleached or unbleached
HS code 5408.21 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, of artificial filament yarn, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial filament, strip or the like, bleached or unbleached. It is used for viscose lining fabric (unbleached), acetate strip fabric, cupro woven fabric (bleached), rayon interlining fabric and artificial silk fabric (plain weave).
What HS 5408.21 covers
This category includes woven fabrics of artificial filament yarn, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial filament, presented as strip or the like, and in bleached or unbleached form. These fabrics are valued for their smooth texture, excellent drape, and often a silk-like luster, making them popular for linings, interlinings, and various apparel applications such as blouses, dresses, and skirts. They also find use in decorative textiles and some home furnishings. Importers are typically garment manufacturers, textile converters, and interior designers seeking versatile and aesthetically pleasing fabrics. Exporters are textile mills specializing in artificial filament weaving. The 'bleached or unbleached' status indicates an early stage of processing, often requiring further dyeing or printing before final use.
- Covers
- Viscose lining fabric (unbleached)
- Acetate strip fabric
- Cupro woven fabric (bleached)
- Rayon interlining fabric
- Artificial silk fabric (plain weave)
- Unbleached filament fabric
- Decorative artificial filament fabric
- Examples
- Bemberg Cupro lining
- Acetate satin lining
- Viscose twill lining
- Rayon crepe fabric (unbleached)
- Fabrics for garment interlinings
Codes often confused with 5408.21
Common mistake. Could be confused with 540822 (dyed fabrics of artificial filament yarn) if the bleached/unbleached status is not correctly identified, or 540831 (woven fabrics of other artificial filament yarn, unbleached) if the specific artificial filament type is not viscose rayon.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 540821, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 540821 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 22% 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 $34M 37% of world exports
- 2 Italy $24M 25% of world exports
- 3 South Korea $9.9M 11% of world exports
World total: $94M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $23M 22% of world imports
- 2 Germany $19M 19% of world imports
- 3 Kazakhstan $12M 12% of world imports
World total: $104M 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 5408.21
Brazil does not split HS 5408.21: its NCM code is 5408.21.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 54.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5408.21
What is HS code 540821?
HS code 540821 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; of artificial filament yarn, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial filament, strip or the like, bleached or unbleached. This category includes woven fabrics of artificial filament yarn, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial filament, presented as strip or the like, and in bleached or unbleached form. These fabrics are valued for their smooth texture, excellent drape, and often a silk-like luster, making them popular for linings, interlinings, and various apparel applications such as blouses, dresses, and skirts. They also find use in decorative textiles and some home furnishings. Importers are typically garment manufacturers, textile converters, and interior designers seeking versatile and aesthetically pleasing fabrics. Exporters are textile mills specializing in artificial filament weaving. The 'bleached or unbleached' status indicates an early stage of processing, often requiring further dyeing or printing before final use.
What products fall under HS code 540821?
Viscose lining fabric (unbleached), Acetate strip fabric, Cupro woven fabric (bleached), Rayon interlining fabric, Artificial silk fabric (plain weave), Unbleached filament fabric, Decorative artificial filament fabric
What are common misclassifications for HS code 540821?
Could be confused with 540822 (dyed fabrics of artificial filament yarn) if the bleached/unbleached status is not correctly identified, or 540831 (woven fabrics of other artificial filament yarn, unbleached) if the specific artificial filament type is not viscose rayon.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 540821?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 540821 in UN Comtrade data were China ($34M, 37% of world exports), Italy ($24M) and South Korea ($9.9M). World exports came to about $94M, 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 540821?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 540821 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($23M, 22% of world imports), Germany ($19M) and Kazakhstan ($12M). World imports came to about $104M, 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 540821 structured?
HS code 540821 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (54) 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 540821?
In Brazil, HS code 540821 is NCM 5408.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.