HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5603.12 – Nonwovens; whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated, of man-made filaments, (weighing more than 25g/m2 but not more than 70g/m2)
HS code 5603.12 is the 6-digit subheading for nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated, of man-made filaments, (weighing more than 25g/m2 but not more than 70g/m2). It is used for spunbond polypropylene nonwoven (50gsm), polyester nonwoven for interlinings, automotive headliner fabric, medium-weight medical drapes and filtration media for HVAC.
What HS 5603.12 covers
This category covers nonwoven fabrics made from man-made filaments, with a medium-light basis weight ranging from over 25 g/m² up to 70 g/m². Like their lighter counterparts, these materials can be impregnated, coated, or laminated, offering enhanced properties. They are highly valued for applications requiring a balance of strength, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Importers include manufacturers of durable medical textiles, automotive interior components, filtration media, and geotextiles. Exporters are typically nations with robust chemical and textile industries, capable of producing a wide range of synthetic filaments and advanced nonwoven manufacturing processes. Key trade factors include the specific polymer (e.g., polypropylene, polyester), the nonwoven technology used (e.g., spunbond, meltblown), and any post-treatment, as these determine the material's performance and market niche. This grammage range offers increased durability compared to lighter nonwovens.
- Covers
- Spunbond polypropylene nonwoven (50gsm)
- Polyester nonwoven for interlinings
- Automotive headliner fabric
- Medium-weight medical drapes
- Filtration media for HVAC
- Geotextile separation fabric
- Disposable protective apparel
- Shopping bag nonwoven fabric
- Examples
- Freudenberg Performance Materials (automotive nonwovens)
- Berry Global (spunbond nonwovens)
- Ahlstrom-Munksjö (filtration nonwovens)
- Fitesa (hygiene and medical nonwovens)
- DuPont Tyvek (medium-weight variants)
Codes often confused with 5603.12
Common mistake. Misclassification often occurs with 560311 (lighter nonwovens) or 560313 (heavier nonwovens) if the grammage is not precisely measured. It's also important to distinguish from nonwovens made from staple fibers (560392).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 560312, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 560312 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 $527M 15% of world exports
- 2 United States $483M 14% of world exports
- 3 Türkiye $415M 12% of world exports
World total: $3.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $478M 13% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $277M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 Germany $243M 6.6% of world imports
World total: $3.7B 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 5603.12 6
Brazil splits HS 5603.12 into 6 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 5603.12.10 HDPE filament nonwoven, over 25 to 70 g/m²De polietileno de alta densidade
- 5603.12.20 Aramid filament nonwoven, over 25 to 70 g/m²De aramidas
- 5603.12.30 Polyester filament nonwoven, over 25 to 70 g/m²De poliéster
- 5603.12.40 Polypropylene filament nonwoven over 25 to 70 g/m²De polipropileno
- 5603.12.50 Viscose filament nonwoven, over 25 to 70 g/m²De raiom viscose
- 5603.12.90 Other filament nonwoven, over 25 to 70 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 5603.12
What is HS code 560312?
HS code 560312 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 more than 25g/m2 but not more than 70g/m2). This category covers nonwoven fabrics made from man-made filaments, with a medium-light basis weight ranging from over 25 g/m² up to 70 g/m². Like their lighter counterparts, these materials can be impregnated, coated, or laminated, offering enhanced properties. They are highly valued for applications requiring a balance of strength, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Importers include manufacturers of durable medical textiles, automotive interior components, filtration media, and geotextiles. Exporters are typically nations with robust chemical and textile industries, capable of producing a wide range of synthetic filaments and advanced nonwoven manufacturing processes. Key trade factors include the specific polymer (e.g., polypropylene, polyester), the nonwoven technology used (e.g., spunbond, meltblown), and any post-treatment, as these determine the material's performance and market niche. This grammage range offers increased durability compared to lighter nonwovens.
What products fall under HS code 560312?
Spunbond polypropylene nonwoven (50gsm), Polyester nonwoven for interlinings, Automotive headliner fabric, Medium-weight medical drapes, Filtration media for HVAC, Geotextile separation fabric, Disposable protective apparel, Shopping bag nonwoven fabric
What are common misclassifications for HS code 560312?
Misclassification often occurs with 560311 (lighter nonwovens) or 560313 (heavier nonwovens) if the grammage is not precisely measured. It's also important to distinguish from nonwovens made from staple fibers (560392).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 560312?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 560312 in UN Comtrade data were China ($527M, 15% of world exports), the United States ($483M) and Türkiye ($415M). World exports came to about $3.5B, 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 560312?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 560312 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($478M, 13% of world imports), Mexico ($277M) and Germany ($243M). World imports came to about $3.7B, 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 560312 structured?
HS code 560312 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 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 560312?
Brazil splits HS code 560312 into 6 NCM codes: 5603.12.10 (HDPE filament nonwoven, over 25 to 70 g/m²), 5603.12.20 (Aramid filament nonwoven, over 25 to 70 g/m²), 5603.12.30 (Polyester filament nonwoven, over 25 to 70 g/m²), 5603.12.40 (Polypropylene filament nonwoven over 25 to 70 g/m²), 5603.12.50 (Viscose filament nonwoven, over 25 to 70 g/m²), 5603.12.90 (Other filament nonwoven, over 25 to 70 g/m²). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.