HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5516.91 – Fabrics, woven; unbleached or bleached, of artificial staple fibres, n.e.c. in heading no. 5516
HS code 5516.91 is the 6-digit subheading for fabrics, woven, unbleached or bleached, of artificial staple fibres, n.e.c. in heading no. 5516. It is used for unbleached viscose plain weave, bleached modal twill, raw lyocell sateen, greige rayon poplin and bleached acetate lining fabric.
What HS 5516.91 covers
This category covers woven fabrics made from artificial staple fibres that are in their unbleached or bleached state, meaning they have not yet been dyed, printed, or woven with pre-colored yarns. These 'greige' or 'prepared for dyeing' fabrics are crucial intermediate goods in the textile supply chain. They are primarily traded between large textile mills that specialize in weaving and finishing houses or garment manufacturers that perform subsequent dyeing, printing, and cutting. Importers are often looking for cost-effective base materials to customize according to fashion trends or specific product requirements. Exporters benefit from economies of scale in weaving. Key aspects for trade include the type of artificial fiber (e.g., viscose, modal, lyocell), the weave structure, and the fabric's readiness for further processing, ensuring consistent quality for subsequent treatments.
- Covers
- Unbleached viscose plain weave
- Bleached modal twill
- Raw lyocell sateen
- Greige rayon poplin
- Bleached acetate lining fabric
- Unbleached cupro fabric
- Examples
- Lenzing Ecovero greige fabric
- Birla Cellulose bleached fabric
- Sateri unbleached viscose fabric
- Eastman Naia greige fabric
Codes often confused with 5516.91
Common mistake. Often confused with 551692 (dyed fabrics) or 551694 (printed fabrics) if the fabric has undergone further processing, or 5515 (other woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres) if not specifically 'n.e.c. in heading no. 5516'.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 551691, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 551691 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 59% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Egypt, with 24% 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 $27M 59% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $3.4M 7.5% of world exports
- 3 Indonesia $3.3M 7.3% of world exports
World total: $45M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Egypt $15M 24% of world imports
- 2 Kazakhstan $14M 22% of world imports
- 3 Italy $5.3M 8.5% of world imports
World total: $62M 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 5516.91
Brazil does not split HS 5516.91: its NCM code is 5516.91.00.
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 5516.91
What is HS code 551691?
HS code 551691 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fabrics, woven; unbleached or bleached, of artificial staple fibres, n.e.c. in heading no. 5516. This category covers woven fabrics made from artificial staple fibres that are in their unbleached or bleached state, meaning they have not yet been dyed, printed, or woven with pre-colored yarns. These 'greige' or 'prepared for dyeing' fabrics are crucial intermediate goods in the textile supply chain. They are primarily traded between large textile mills that specialize in weaving and finishing houses or garment manufacturers that perform subsequent dyeing, printing, and cutting. Importers are often looking for cost-effective base materials to customize according to fashion trends or specific product requirements. Exporters benefit from economies of scale in weaving. Key aspects for trade include the type of artificial fiber (e.g., viscose, modal, lyocell), the weave structure, and the fabric's readiness for further processing, ensuring consistent quality for subsequent treatments.
What products fall under HS code 551691?
Unbleached viscose plain weave, bleached modal twill, raw lyocell sateen, greige rayon poplin, bleached acetate lining fabric, unbleached cupro fabric
What are common misclassifications for HS code 551691?
Often confused with 551692 (dyed fabrics) or 551694 (printed fabrics) if the fabric has undergone further processing, or 5515 (other woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres) if not specifically 'n.e.c. in heading no. 5516'.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 551691?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 551691 in UN Comtrade data were China ($27M, 59% of world exports), the Netherlands ($3.4M) and Indonesia ($3.3M). 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 551691?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 551691 in UN Comtrade data were Egypt ($15M, 24% of world imports), Kazakhstan ($14M) and Italy ($5.3M). World imports came to about $62M, 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 551691 structured?
HS code 551691 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 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 551691?
In Brazil, HS code 551691 is NCM 5516.91.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.