HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5516.12 – Fabrics, woven; dyed, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres
HS code 5516.12 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, dyed, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres. It is used for dyed viscose rayon challis, dyed modal poplin, lyocell twill (dyed), dyed cuprammonium rayon lining and viscose crepe (dyed).
What HS 5516.12 covers
This category covers woven fabrics that are dyed and contain 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibers like viscose rayon, modal, or lyocell. Unlike their unbleached or bleached counterparts, these fabrics have undergone a dyeing process, offering a wide spectrum of colors directly for garment manufacturing or other applications. They retain the desirable properties of artificial staple fibers – excellent drape, softness, breathability, and vibrant color retention – making them highly suitable for fashion apparel, blouses, dresses, and luxurious linings. The trade involves textile mills specializing in dyeing processes, supplying to global fashion brands, garment factories, and interior design firms. Key considerations include color fastness, consistency across batches, and the environmental impact of the dyeing process, which are critical for meeting international quality and sustainability standards.
- Covers
- Dyed viscose rayon challis
- Dyed modal poplin
- Lyocell twill (dyed)
- Dyed cuprammonium rayon lining
- Viscose crepe (dyed)
- Dyed modal jersey
- Lyocell sateen (dyed)
- Examples
- Fabrics from Lenzing (dyed Tencel, Modal)
- Birla Cellulose (dyed Liva fabrics)
- specific dyed fabric collections from textile mills like Arvind or Raymond
Codes often confused with 5516.12
Common mistake. Often confused with 551611 (unbleached/bleached) if the dyeing process is not clearly distinguished, or with 551613 (yarns of different colors) if the fabric is piece-dyed rather than yarn-dyed.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 551612, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 551612 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 87% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Morocco, with 19% 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 $986M 87% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $38M 3.3% of world exports
- 3 Spain $25M 2.2% 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: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Morocco $199M 19% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $87M 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Brazil $87M 8.3% of world imports
World total: $1.0B 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 5516.12
Brazil does not split HS 5516.12: its NCM code is 5516.12.00.
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 5516.12
What is HS code 551612?
HS code 551612 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; dyed, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres. This category covers woven fabrics that are dyed and contain 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibers like viscose rayon, modal, or lyocell. Unlike their unbleached or bleached counterparts, these fabrics have undergone a dyeing process, offering a wide spectrum of colors directly for garment manufacturing or other applications. They retain the desirable properties of artificial staple fibers – excellent drape, softness, breathability, and vibrant color retention – making them highly suitable for fashion apparel, blouses, dresses, and luxurious linings. The trade involves textile mills specializing in dyeing processes, supplying to global fashion brands, garment factories, and interior design firms. Key considerations include color fastness, consistency across batches, and the environmental impact of the dyeing process, which are critical for meeting international quality and sustainability standards.
What products fall under HS code 551612?
Dyed viscose rayon challis, Dyed modal poplin, Lyocell twill (dyed), Dyed cuprammonium rayon lining, Viscose crepe (dyed), Dyed modal jersey, Lyocell sateen (dyed)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 551612?
Often confused with 551611 (unbleached/bleached) if the dyeing process is not clearly distinguished, or with 551613 (yarns of different colors) if the fabric is piece-dyed rather than yarn-dyed.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 551612?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 551612 in UN Comtrade data were China ($986M, 87% of world exports), Türkiye ($38M) and Spain ($25M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 551612?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 551612 in UN Comtrade data were Morocco ($199M, 19% of world imports), Indonesia ($87M) and Brazil ($87M). World imports came to about $1.0B, 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 551612 structured?
HS code 551612 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 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 551612?
In Brazil, HS code 551612 is NCM 5516.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.