HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5512.91 – Fabrics, woven; of synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of such fibres n.e.c. in heading no. 5512, unbleached or bleached
HS code 5512.91 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, of synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of such fibres n.e.c. in heading no. 5512, unbleached or bleached. It is used for unbleached polyester staple fabric, bleached nylon staple fabric, unfinished polypropylene staple fabric, raw synthetic blend fabric and greige synthetic staple fabric.
What HS 5512.91 covers
This HS code encompasses unbleached or bleached woven fabrics made from synthetic staple fibres, where the synthetic content is 85% or more by weight, and the fibres are not specifically acrylic or modacrylic (which fall under 55122x). This category acts as a catch-all for high-content synthetic staple fiber fabrics in their raw or basic processed state, before any dyeing, printing, or extensive finishing. These fabrics are crucial intermediate goods for textile manufacturers globally, who then further process them into finished products. Major exporters are countries with large-scale textile mills, such as China, India, and Pakistan, while importers are often garment makers or home textile producers in regions like Southeast Asia and the EU, looking for base materials. Key trade considerations include the specific synthetic fiber type (e.g., polyester, nylon), weave structure, and suitability for various subsequent finishing processes.
- Covers
- Unbleached polyester staple fabric
- Bleached nylon staple fabric
- Unfinished polypropylene staple fabric
- Raw synthetic blend fabric
- Greige synthetic staple fabric
- Undyed polyester-viscose blend fabric
- Unprocessed aramid staple fabric
- Examples
- Invista Cordura (base fabric)
- DuPont Sorona (base fabric)
- Toray polyester staple fabrics
- Reliance Industries polyester staple fabrics
- Indorama Ventures (base fabrics)
Codes often confused with 5512.91
Common mistake. Often confused with 551299, which covers the dyed or printed versions of these fabrics, or 551211, which is specifically for unbleached/bleached polyester staple fabrics with 85%+ polyester. The 'n.e.c.' (not elsewhere specified) and 'unbleached or bleached' are critical differentiators.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 551291, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 551291 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 19% 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 Germany $11M 30% of world exports
- 2 China $7.5M 21% of world exports
- 3 France $3.9M 11% of world exports
World total: $35M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $9.4M 19% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $5.2M 10% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $5.0M 10% of world imports
World total: $50M 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 codes for 5512.91 2
Brazil splits HS 5512.91 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 5512.91.10 (Un)bleached aramid staple fabric, 85% or moreDe aramidas
- 5512.91.90 Other (un)bleached synthetic fabric, 85% or moreOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 55.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5512.91
What is HS code 551291?
HS code 551291 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; of synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of such fibres n.e.c. in heading no. 5512, unbleached or bleached. This HS code encompasses unbleached or bleached woven fabrics made from synthetic staple fibres, where the synthetic content is 85% or more by weight, and the fibres are not specifically acrylic or modacrylic (which fall under 55122x). This category acts as a catch-all for high-content synthetic staple fiber fabrics in their raw or basic processed state, before any dyeing, printing, or extensive finishing. These fabrics are crucial intermediate goods for textile manufacturers globally, who then further process them into finished products. Major exporters are countries with large-scale textile mills, such as China, India, and Pakistan, while importers are often garment makers or home textile producers in regions like Southeast Asia and the EU, looking for base materials. Key trade considerations include the specific synthetic fiber type (e.g., polyester, nylon), weave structure, and suitability for various subsequent finishing processes.
What products fall under HS code 551291?
Unbleached polyester staple fabric, Bleached nylon staple fabric, Unfinished polypropylene staple fabric, Raw synthetic blend fabric, Greige synthetic staple fabric, Undyed polyester-viscose blend fabric, Unprocessed aramid staple fabric
What are common misclassifications for HS code 551291?
Often confused with 551299, which covers the dyed or printed versions of these fabrics, or 551211, which is specifically for unbleached/bleached polyester staple fabrics with 85%+ polyester. The 'n.e.c.' (not elsewhere specified) and 'unbleached or bleached' are critical differentiators.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 551291?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 551291 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($11M, 30% of world exports), China ($7.5M) and France ($3.9M). World exports came to about $35M, 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 551291?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 551291 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($9.4M, 19% of world imports), Belgium ($5.2M) and the Netherlands ($5.0M). World imports came to about $50M, 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 551291 structured?
HS code 551291 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (55) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 551291?
Brazil splits HS code 551291 into 2 NCM codes: 5512.91.10 ((Un)bleached aramid staple fabric, 85% or more), 5512.91.90 (Other (un)bleached synthetic fabric, 85% or more). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.