HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5911.90 – Textile products and articles for technical uses; n.e.c. in heading no. 5911
HS code 5911.90 is the 6-digit subheading for textile products and articles for technical uses, n.e.c. in heading no. 5911. It is used for abrasive backing fabrics, polishing cloths for machinery, textile gaskets, industrial wiping cloths and specialized insulation textiles.
What HS 5911.90 covers
This is a residual HS code for 'other' textile products and articles for technical uses not specifically covered by the preceding subheadings within 5911. It serves as a catch-all for a wide array of specialized textiles designed for industrial, automotive, medical, or other technical applications where their unique properties are critical. These properties might include high strength, heat resistance, chemical inertness, specific textures, or electrical conductivity. Importers and exporters are diverse, ranging from automotive component suppliers to medical device manufacturers, aerospace industries, and various other industrial sectors that require custom-engineered textile solutions. The key is their clear 'technical use' and the fact that they do not fit into more specific categories within Chapter 59 or other chapters.
- Covers
- Abrasive backing fabrics
- Polishing cloths for machinery
- Textile gaskets
- Industrial wiping cloths
- Specialized insulation textiles
- Textile components for automotive interiors
- Medical textile components (non-sterile)
- Examples
- 3M Abrasive Backings
- DuPont Kevlar technical fabrics
- Gore-Tex industrial laminates
- Freudenberg Performance Materials (technical nonwovens)
- SGL Carbon (carbon fiber textiles)
Codes often confused with 5911.90
Common mistake. This code is often a catch-all and can be confused with more specific technical textiles if their primary function or material composition is not carefully assessed. It's crucial to rule out other 5911 subheadings, as well as general textile articles (6307) or even parts of machinery (Chapter 84/85) if the textile component is clearly a part.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 591190, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 591190 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 Germany $650M 19% of world exports
- 2 China $569M 16% of world exports
- 3 United States $375M 11% of world exports
World total: $3.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $644M 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $245M 6.8% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $235M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $3.6B 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 5911.90
Brazil does not split HS 5911.90: its NCM code is 5911.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 59.11 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5911.90
What is HS code 591190?
HS code 591190 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Textile products and articles for technical uses; n.e.c. in heading no. 5911. This is a residual HS code for 'other' textile products and articles for technical uses not specifically covered by the preceding subheadings within 5911. It serves as a catch-all for a wide array of specialized textiles designed for industrial, automotive, medical, or other technical applications where their unique properties are critical. These properties might include high strength, heat resistance, chemical inertness, specific textures, or electrical conductivity. Importers and exporters are diverse, ranging from automotive component suppliers to medical device manufacturers, aerospace industries, and various other industrial sectors that require custom-engineered textile solutions. The key is their clear 'technical use' and the fact that they do not fit into more specific categories within Chapter 59 or other chapters.
What products fall under HS code 591190?
Abrasive backing fabrics, polishing cloths for machinery, textile gaskets, industrial wiping cloths, specialized insulation textiles, textile components for automotive interiors, medical textile components (non-sterile)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 591190?
This code is often a catch-all and can be confused with more specific technical textiles if their primary function or material composition is not carefully assessed. It's crucial to rule out other 5911 subheadings, as well as general textile articles (6307) or even parts of machinery (Chapter 84/85) if the textile component is clearly a part.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 591190?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 591190 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($650M, 19% of world exports), China ($569M) and the United States ($375M). 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 591190?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 591190 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($644M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($245M) and Mexico ($235M). World imports came to about $3.6B, 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 591190 structured?
HS code 591190 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (59) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (11) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 591190?
In Brazil, HS code 591190 is NCM 5911.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.