HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5603.11 – Nonwovens; whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated, of man-made filaments, (weighing not more than 25g/m2)
HS code 5603.11 is the 6-digit subheading for nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated, of man-made filaments, (weighing not more than 25g/m2). It is used for spunbond polypropylene nonwoven (20gsm), meltblown polyester nonwoven (15gsm), agricultural crop covers, disposable medical gowns fabric and face mask outer layer.
What HS 5603.11 covers
This code specifically targets lightweight nonwoven fabrics made from man-made filaments, with a very low basis weight of 25 grams per square meter or less. These materials are highly versatile and can be further treated (impregnated, coated, etc.). They are crucial in industries requiring thin, strong, and often disposable materials. Importers include manufacturers of hygiene products, medical supplies, agricultural covers, and lightweight packaging. Exporters are typically countries with advanced petrochemical and textile manufacturing capabilities, capable of producing fine filaments and efficient nonwoven processes. Key trade considerations include the specific polymer type (e.g., polypropylene, polyester), the manufacturing process (spunbond, meltblown), and whether they are treated, as these factors dictate their end-use and market value. Their lightweight nature makes them cost-effective for bulk shipping, despite their specialized applications.
- Covers
- Spunbond polypropylene nonwoven (20gsm)
- Meltblown polyester nonwoven (15gsm)
- Agricultural crop covers
- Disposable medical gowns fabric
- Face mask outer layer
- Hygiene product top sheets
- Lightweight packaging material
- Tea bag filter material
- Examples
- DuPont Tyvek (lightweight nonwoven)
- Berry Global (spunbond nonwovens)
- Freudenberg Performance Materials (medical nonwovens)
- Ahlstrom-Munksjö (filtration nonwovens)
- Fitesa (hygiene nonwovens)
Codes often confused with 5603.11
Common mistake. This code is often confused with other nonwoven codes (e.g., 560312 for slightly heavier man-made filament nonwovens) if the exact grammage is not precisely known. It's also distinct from nonwovens made from staple fibers (560391).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 560311, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 560311 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 9.9% 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 $433M 20% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $211M 9.6% of world exports
- 3 Italy $180M 8.2% of world exports
World total: $2.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $240M 9.9% of world imports
- 2 United States $188M 7.8% of world imports
- 3 Germany $179M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $2.4B 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 5603.11 5
Brazil splits HS 5603.11 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 5603.11.10 Aramid filament nonwoven, max 25 g/m²De aramidas
- 5603.11.20 Polyester filament nonwoven, max 25 g/m²De poliéster
- 5603.11.30 Polypropylene filament nonwoven, max 25 g/m²De polipropileno
- 5603.11.40 Viscose filament nonwoven, max 25 g/m²De raiom viscose
- 5603.11.90 Other filament nonwoven, max 25 g/m²Outros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 56.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5603.11
What is HS code 560311?
HS code 560311 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Nonwovens; whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated, of man-made filaments, (weighing not more than 25g/m2). This code specifically targets lightweight nonwoven fabrics made from man-made filaments, with a very low basis weight of 25 grams per square meter or less. These materials are highly versatile and can be further treated (impregnated, coated, etc.). They are crucial in industries requiring thin, strong, and often disposable materials. Importers include manufacturers of hygiene products, medical supplies, agricultural covers, and lightweight packaging. Exporters are typically countries with advanced petrochemical and textile manufacturing capabilities, capable of producing fine filaments and efficient nonwoven processes. Key trade considerations include the specific polymer type (e.g., polypropylene, polyester), the manufacturing process (spunbond, meltblown), and whether they are treated, as these factors dictate their end-use and market value. Their lightweight nature makes them cost-effective for bulk shipping, despite their specialized applications.
What products fall under HS code 560311?
Spunbond polypropylene nonwoven (20gsm), Meltblown polyester nonwoven (15gsm), Agricultural crop covers, Disposable medical gowns fabric, Face mask outer layer, Hygiene product top sheets, Lightweight packaging material, Tea bag filter material
What are common misclassifications for HS code 560311?
This code is often confused with other nonwoven codes (e.g., 560312 for slightly heavier man-made filament nonwovens) if the exact grammage is not precisely known. It's also distinct from nonwovens made from staple fibers (560391).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 560311?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 560311 in UN Comtrade data were China ($433M, 20% of world exports), Türkiye ($211M) and Italy ($180M). World exports came to about $2.2B, 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 560311?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 560311 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($240M, 9.9% of world imports), the United States ($188M) and Germany ($179M). World imports came to about $2.4B, 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 560311 structured?
HS code 560311 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (56) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) 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 560311?
Brazil splits HS code 560311 into 5 NCM codes: 5603.11.10 (Aramid filament nonwoven, max 25 g/m²), 5603.11.20 (Polyester filament nonwoven, max 25 g/m²), 5603.11.30 (Polypropylene filament nonwoven, max 25 g/m²), 5603.11.40 (Viscose filament nonwoven, max 25 g/m²), 5603.11.90 (Other filament nonwoven, max 25 g/m²). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.