Product classification
HS code for Filter cloth: 5911.40
Textile products and articles for technical uses, straining cloth of a kind used in oil presses and the like, including that of human hair.
Classification of filter cloth under HS 5911.40
Filter cloth is classified under HS code 5911.40, which falls within Chapter 59 of the Harmonized System, covering impregnated, coated, covered, or laminated textile fabrics and textile articles for technical uses. The classification is specifically governed by Note 7 to Chapter 59, which defines the scope of products intended for industrial or technical applications. Subheading 5911.40 is dedicated to straining cloth of a kind used in oil presses and similar industrial machinery. This classification is unique because it includes cloth made from any textile material, including human hair, provided it is designed for the specific technical purpose of filtration or straining under pressure. The determination of this code relies on General Interpretative Rule (GRI) 1, which prioritizes the terms of the headings. The material must exhibit specific technical characteristics, such as high tensile strength, resistance to chemical degradation, and a specific porosity required for industrial separation processes. Unlike standard apparel or household textiles, these fabrics are engineered to withstand the mechanical stresses of industrial oil extraction or chemical filtration systems.
- Covers
- Straining cloth for oil presses
- Industrial filter fabrics made of synthetic fibers
- Filter cloth made of human hair for technical use
- Heavy textile fabrics for pressure filters
- Bolting cloth for industrial sifting
- Also under 5911.40
- Sefar Filter Fabrics
- Saati Filtration
- Clear Edge Filtration
- Micronics Filtration
- GKD Group (filter media)
Codes often confused with 5911.40
Common mistake. Filter cloth is frequently misclassified under 5911.10, which covers narrow textile fabrics, or 5911.90, which is a residual category for other technical textile products. Another common error is using 6307.90 for finished textile articles; however, if the cloth is specifically for technical filtration in machinery, 5911.40 takes precedence. Additionally, if the cloth is not yet cut to shape or specifically prepared for a machine, some importers mistakenly use general fabric codes in Chapters 54 or 55.
Top exporters and importers of HS 591140 (the code used for filter cloth), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 591140 (the code used for filter cloth) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% 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 591140, not only filter cloth.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $128M 28% of world exports
- 2 Germany $103M 23% of world exports
- 3 Japan $49M 11% of world exports
World total: $457M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $48M 12% of world imports
- 2 Poland $38M 9.0% of world imports
- 3 United States $35M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $419M 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 filter cloth
Brazil classifies filter cloth under NCM 5911.40.00: HS 5911.40 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about filter cloth
What is the HS code for Filter cloth?
The HS code for Filter cloth is 591140 (Textile products and articles for technical uses; straining cloth of a kind used in oil presses and the like, including that of human hair). The HS code for filter cloth used in oil presses or similar technical applications is 5911.40.
How do I classify Filter cloth for customs?
Filter cloth is classified under HS code 591140 — Textile products and articles for technical uses; straining cloth of a kind used in oil presses and the like, including that of human hair. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the material of the cloth change the HS code?
No, for subheading 5911.40, the technical use as straining cloth is the primary factor, and it explicitly includes various materials, including human hair and synthetic polymers.
Which countries are the top exporters of filter cloth (HS 591140)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 591140 (the code used for filter cloth) in UN Comtrade data were China ($128M, 28% of world exports), Germany ($103M) and Japan ($49M). World exports came to about $457M, 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 filter cloth (HS 591140)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 591140 (the code used for filter cloth) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($48M, 12% of world imports), Poland ($38M) and the United States ($35M). World imports came to about $419M, 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 Filter cloth the same in all countries?
The base HS code 591140 for Filter cloth 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 filter cloth in Brazil?
In Brazil, filter cloth (HS 591140) is classified under NCM 5911.40.00.