HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5516.21 – Fabrics, woven; unbleached or bleached, containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with manmade filaments
HS code 5516.21 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, unbleached or bleached, containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with manmade filaments. It is used for rayon-polyester blended linings, modal-nylon dress fabrics, lyocell-polyester shirting, viscose-acetate blended suitings and lightweight blended apparel fabrics.
What HS 5516.21 covers
This category covers woven fabrics that are either unbleached or bleached, characterized by containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibres, and mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments. This specific blend composition is critical, indicating a fabric where artificial staple fibres (like rayon, modal, lyocell) are present but not dominant, often combined with continuous man-made filaments (such as polyester or nylon). These fabrics are valued for their unique drape, softness, and often a subtle sheen, making them popular in fashion apparel, linings, and certain home textiles. Major textile manufacturing hubs in Asia, particularly China, Taiwan, and South Korea, are key exporters, supplying garment industries globally, especially in Europe and North America. Accurate classification hinges on precise fiber composition and the fabric's initial processing stage.
- Covers
- Rayon-polyester blended linings
- Modal-nylon dress fabrics
- Lyocell-polyester shirting
- Viscose-acetate blended suitings
- Lightweight blended apparel fabrics
- Decorative textile blends
- Innerwear fabrics
- Examples
- Lenzing Modal blends
- Tencel blends
- Bemberg Cupro linings
- Toray fabrics
- DuPont Sorona blends
Codes often confused with 5516.21
Common mistake. Often confused with 551611 (unbleached/bleached, 85% or more artificial staple fibers) or 551622 (dyed fabrics of similar composition), depending on the percentage of artificial staple fibers and the finishing process.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 551621, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 551621 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 58% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 18% 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 $26M 58% of world exports
- 2 Indonesia $4.1M 9.2% of world exports
- 3 Germany $2.3M 5.2% of world exports
World total: $45M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Indonesia $9.0M 18% of world imports
- 2 Italy $8.7M 18% of world imports
- 3 Japan $4.6M 9.2% 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 code for 5516.21
Brazil does not split HS 5516.21: its NCM code is 5516.21.00.
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 5516.21
What is HS code 551621?
HS code 551621 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; unbleached or bleached, containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with manmade filaments. This category covers woven fabrics that are either unbleached or bleached, characterized by containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibres, and mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments. This specific blend composition is critical, indicating a fabric where artificial staple fibres (like rayon, modal, lyocell) are present but not dominant, often combined with continuous man-made filaments (such as polyester or nylon). These fabrics are valued for their unique drape, softness, and often a subtle sheen, making them popular in fashion apparel, linings, and certain home textiles. Major textile manufacturing hubs in Asia, particularly China, Taiwan, and South Korea, are key exporters, supplying garment industries globally, especially in Europe and North America. Accurate classification hinges on precise fiber composition and the fabric's initial processing stage.
What products fall under HS code 551621?
Rayon-polyester blended linings, Modal-nylon dress fabrics, Lyocell-polyester shirting, Viscose-acetate blended suitings, Lightweight blended apparel fabrics, Decorative textile blends, Innerwear fabrics
What are common misclassifications for HS code 551621?
Often confused with 551611 (unbleached/bleached, 85% or more artificial staple fibers) or 551622 (dyed fabrics of similar composition), depending on the percentage of artificial staple fibers and the finishing process.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 551621?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 551621 in UN Comtrade data were China ($26M, 58% of world exports), Indonesia ($4.1M) and Germany ($2.3M). World exports came to about $45M, 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 551621?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 551621 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($9.0M, 18% of world imports), Italy ($8.7M) and Japan ($4.6M). 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 551621 structured?
HS code 551621 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 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 551621?
In Brazil, HS code 551621 is NCM 5516.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.