HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5516.11 – Fabrics, woven; unbleached or bleached, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres
HS code 5516.11 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, unbleached or bleached, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres. It is used for unbleached viscose rayon fabric, bleached modal shirting, lyocell twill (unbleached), cuprammonium rayon lining fabric and viscose plain weave (bleached).
What HS 5516.11 covers
This HS code specifically targets woven fabrics composed of 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibers, such as viscose rayon, modal, lyocell, or cuprammonium rayon, in their unbleached or bleached state. These fabrics are highly prized for their soft hand, excellent drape, breathability, and absorbency, often mimicking the luxurious feel of natural fibers like silk or cotton but with enhanced dyeability and sometimes better wrinkle resistance. They are fundamental to the production of comfortable apparel, linings, and certain home textiles. Importers include fashion houses and garment manufacturers seeking sustainable or high-quality alternatives to natural fibers, while exporters are typically large-scale textile mills with advanced fiber processing capabilities. The 'unbleached or bleached' state indicates they are raw materials ready for further dyeing, printing, or finishing, making them crucial intermediates in the textile supply chain.
- Covers
- Unbleached viscose rayon fabric
- Bleached modal shirting
- Lyocell twill (unbleached)
- Cuprammonium rayon lining fabric
- Viscose plain weave (bleached)
- Modal jersey fabric (unbleached)
- Lyocell sateen (bleached)
- Examples
Lenzing (Tencel, Modal, Ecovero), Birla Cellulose (Liva), specific unbleached/bleached fabrics from textile mills like Grasim Industries or Sateri
Codes often confused with 5516.11
Common mistake. Can be confused with 551612 (dyed) or 551614 (printed) if the fabric has undergone further processing, or with 5208 (cotton fabrics) due to similar hand feel if the fiber content isn't verified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 551611, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 551611 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 65% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Egypt, with 10% of world imports. Austria reports $981M of its chapter 55 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $166M 65% of world exports
- 2 India $19M 7.3% of world exports
- 3 Spain $13M 5.0% of world exports
Austria reports $981M of its chapter 55 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $255M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Egypt $27M 10% of world imports
- 2 Italy $25M 9.5% of world imports
- 3 Morocco $21M 8.1% of world imports
World total: $258M 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 5516.11
Brazil does not split HS 5516.11: its NCM code is 5516.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 55.16 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5516.11
What is HS code 551611?
HS code 551611 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; unbleached or bleached, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres. This HS code specifically targets woven fabrics composed of 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibers, such as viscose rayon, modal, lyocell, or cuprammonium rayon, in their unbleached or bleached state. These fabrics are highly prized for their soft hand, excellent drape, breathability, and absorbency, often mimicking the luxurious feel of natural fibers like silk or cotton but with enhanced dyeability and sometimes better wrinkle resistance. They are fundamental to the production of comfortable apparel, linings, and certain home textiles. Importers include fashion houses and garment manufacturers seeking sustainable or high-quality alternatives to natural fibers, while exporters are typically large-scale textile mills with advanced fiber processing capabilities. The 'unbleached or bleached' state indicates they are raw materials ready for further dyeing, printing, or finishing, making them crucial intermediates in the textile supply chain.
What products fall under HS code 551611?
Unbleached viscose rayon fabric, Bleached modal shirting, Lyocell twill (unbleached), Cuprammonium rayon lining fabric, Viscose plain weave (bleached), Modal jersey fabric (unbleached), Lyocell sateen (bleached)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 551611?
Can be confused with 551612 (dyed) or 551614 (printed) if the fabric has undergone further processing, or with 5208 (cotton fabrics) due to similar hand feel if the fiber content isn't verified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 551611?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 551611 in UN Comtrade data were China ($166M, 65% of world exports), India ($19M) and Spain ($13M). World exports came to about $255M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Austria reports $981M of its chapter 55 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 551611?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 551611 in UN Comtrade data were Egypt ($27M, 10% of world imports), Italy ($25M) and Morocco ($21M). World imports came to about $258M, 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 551611 structured?
HS code 551611 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (55) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (16) 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 551611?
In Brazil, HS code 551611 is NCM 5516.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.