Product classification

HS code for Cotton blend denim: 5211.42

Fabrics, woven, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, of yarns of different colours, denim.

Classification of cotton blend denim under HS 5211.42

HS code 5211.42 is a highly specific classification for denim fabrics that are predominantly made of man-made fibers but contain a significant portion of cotton. Specifically, the fabric must contain less than 85% cotton by weight and be mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers. Additionally, the fabric must weigh more than 200 grams per square meter (g/m2). The "denim" designation refers to a specific 3-thread or 4-thread twill weave, including broken twill, where the warp threads are colored (usually indigo) and the weft threads are white, grey, or uncolored. This code is part of Chapter 52, which covers cotton, but the subheadings under 5211 are reserved for heavier blended fabrics where cotton is not the majority fiber. Accurate classification requires precise laboratory testing of fiber content and weight to ensure the 85% threshold is not exceeded and the weight is correctly measured. This code is vital for the global garment industry, particularly for manufacturers of durable workwear and fashion jeans.

Covers
  • Cotton-polyester blend denim
  • Heavyweight stretch denim (cotton/elastane blend)
  • Denim fabric with synthetic filament reinforcement
  • Yarn-dyed cotton blend twill (denim weave)
  • Industrial-grade cotton blend denim
Also under 5211.42
  • Cone Denim (stretch denim blends)
  • Isko (performance denim blends)
  • Orta Anadolu (sustainable denim blends)
  • Artistic Fabric Mills (heavy denim blends)

Codes often confused with 5211.42

Common mistake. A frequent misclassification is 5209.42, which is used for denim that contains 85% or more cotton by weight. Another common error is using 5211.32, which covers dyed cotton blend fabrics of a similar weight but without the specific denim weave structure. Additionally, if the fabric weighs 200 g/m2 or less, it would be classified under 5210.49. Importers also sometimes confuse these with Chapter 55 fabrics (synthetic staple fibers) if the man-made fiber content is high, but Chapter 52 takes precedence if the blend is specifically mixed with cotton as defined in the chapter notes.

5209.42Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, weighing more than 200g/m2, denim5211.32Fabrics, woven; containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, dyed, 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill5210.49Fabrics, woven; containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing 200g/m2 or less, of yarns of different colours, of weaves n.e.c. in item no. 5210.4

Top exporters and importers of HS 521142 (the code used for cotton blend denim), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 521142 (the code used for cotton blend denim) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 74% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 38% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 521142, not only cotton blend denim.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $1.3B
  2. 2 India $140M
  3. 3 Pakistan $104M

World total: $1.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Bangladesh* ~$518M
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$160M
  3. 3 Cambodia* ~$90M

World total: $1.4B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 cotton blend denim

Brazil splits HS 5211.42 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 5211.42.10CI 73000 indigo cotton-mix denim, over 200 g/m²
  • 5211.42.90Other cotton-mix denim, over 200 g/m²

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about cotton blend denim

What is the HS code for Cotton blend denim?

The HS code for Cotton blend denim is 521142 (Fabrics, woven; containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, of yarns of different colours, denim). The HS code for denim containing less than 85% cotton, mixed with man-made fibers and weighing over 200g/m2, is 5211.42.

How do I classify Cotton blend denim for customs?

Cotton blend denim is classified under HS code 521142 — Fabrics, woven; containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, of yarns of different colours, denim. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What defines a fabric as "denim" for this HS code?

For HS purposes, denim must be a twill weave (3 or 4 thread) where the warp is colored and the weft is uncolored, as specified in Subheading Note 1 to Chapter 52.

Which countries are the top exporters of cotton blend denim (HS 521142)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 521142 (the code used for cotton blend denim) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.3B, 74% of world exports), India ($140M) and Pakistan ($104M). World exports came to about $1.7B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of cotton blend denim (HS 521142)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 521142 (the code used for cotton blend denim) in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $518M, 38% of world imports), Vietnam (about $160M) and Cambodia (about $90M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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.

Is the HS code for Cotton blend denim the same in all countries?

The base HS code 521142 for Cotton blend denim is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.

What is the NCM code for cotton blend denim in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 521142 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for cotton blend denim depends on the product's details: 5211.42.10 (CI 73000 indigo cotton-mix denim, over 200 g/m²), 5211.42.90 (Other cotton-mix denim, over 200 g/m²).