HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5901.10 – Textile fabrics; coated with gum or amylaceous substances, of a kind used for the outer covers of books or the like
HS code 5901.10 is the 6-digit subheading for textile fabrics, coated with gum or amylaceous substances, of a kind used for the outer covers of books or the like. It is used for bookbinding cloth, stiffened linen book cloth, coated cotton book fabric, library buckram and album cover fabric.
What HS 5901.10 covers
This HS code specifically identifies textile fabrics that have been coated with gum or amylaceous (starchy) substances, designed for use as outer covers for books, binders, or similar stationery items. These specialized fabrics are crucial in the publishing and stationery industries, providing durability, a smooth finish, and often a decorative surface for bookbinding. Importers are typically book publishers, printing houses, stationery manufacturers, and specialized textile converters who require these materials for their production processes. Exporters are textile finishing mills with expertise in precise coating applications. Key considerations for trade include the base textile (often cotton or linen), the type of coating for flexibility and printability, and its resistance to wear and tear, all critical for the longevity and aesthetic quality of bound materials.
- Covers
- Bookbinding cloth
- Stiffened linen book cloth
- Coated cotton book fabric
- Library buckram
- Album cover fabric
- Journal cover material
- Textile-backed paper for books
- Examples
- F. Schumacher bookbinding fabrics
- Holliston Mills book cloth
- Winter & Company bookbinding materials
- university press book covers
- archival book repair cloth
Codes often confused with 5901.10
Common mistake. This can be confused with 590190 if not specifically for book covers, or 5903 (textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered, or laminated with plastics) if the coating is plastic-based rather than gum/starch. The 'gum or amylaceous' and 'book covers' are key for correct classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 590110, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 590110 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% 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 $36M 33% of world exports
- 2 Czechia $19M 18% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $16M 15% of world exports
World total: $107M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $10M 14% of world imports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $5.9M 8.0% of world imports
- 3 United States $3.9M 5.3% of world imports
World total: $74M 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 5901.10
Brazil does not split HS 5901.10: its NCM code is 5901.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 59.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5901.10
What is HS code 590110?
HS code 590110 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Textile fabrics; coated with gum or amylaceous substances, of a kind used for the outer covers of books or the like. This HS code specifically identifies textile fabrics that have been coated with gum or amylaceous (starchy) substances, designed for use as outer covers for books, binders, or similar stationery items. These specialized fabrics are crucial in the publishing and stationery industries, providing durability, a smooth finish, and often a decorative surface for bookbinding. Importers are typically book publishers, printing houses, stationery manufacturers, and specialized textile converters who require these materials for their production processes. Exporters are textile finishing mills with expertise in precise coating applications. Key considerations for trade include the base textile (often cotton or linen), the type of coating for flexibility and printability, and its resistance to wear and tear, all critical for the longevity and aesthetic quality of bound materials.
What products fall under HS code 590110?
Bookbinding cloth, Stiffened linen book cloth, Coated cotton book fabric, Library buckram, Album cover fabric, Journal cover material, Textile-backed paper for books
What are common misclassifications for HS code 590110?
This can be confused with 590190 if not specifically for book covers, or 5903 (textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered, or laminated with plastics) if the coating is plastic-based rather than gum/starch. The 'gum or amylaceous' and 'book covers' are key for correct classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 590110?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 590110 in UN Comtrade data were China ($36M, 33% of world exports), Czechia ($19M) and the Netherlands ($16M). World exports came to about $107M, 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 590110?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 590110 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($10M, 14% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($5.9M) and the United States ($3.9M). World imports came to about $74M, 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 590110 structured?
HS code 590110 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (59) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 590110?
In Brazil, HS code 590110 is NCM 5901.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.