Product classification

HS code for Heavy bleached blend: 5211.20

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

Classification of heavy bleached blend under HS 5211.20

Heavy bleached blend fabrics are classified under HS code 5211.20. This classification is determined by Section XI of the Harmonized System, which covers textiles and textile articles. Specifically, heading 5211 applies to woven fabrics containing less than 85% cotton by weight, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers. The subheading 5211.20 is designated for fabrics that have undergone a bleaching process and weigh more than 200 grams per square meter (g/m2). The classification process requires a precise laboratory analysis of the fiber content to ensure the cotton percentage is below the 85% threshold and a weight verification to confirm it exceeds the 200g/m2 limit. The 'bleached' status is defined by the removal of natural pigments through chemical treatment, distinguishing it from 'unbleached' or 'dyed' fabrics within the same heading.

Covers
  • Bleached cotton-polyester twill blends > 200g/m2
  • Bleached cotton-nylon canvas blends > 200g/m2
  • Heavy bleached poplin blends with < 85% cotton
  • Bleached industrial workwear fabric blends
Also under 5211.20
  • Carrington Textiles (bleached workwear fabrics)
  • Klopman International (bleached uniform fabrics)
  • Vardhman Textiles (bleached shirting blends)
  • Texhong Textile Group (bleached heavy blends)

Codes often confused with 5211.20

Common mistake. This product is often misclassified under HS code 5209.21 or 5209.22. However, 5209 is reserved for fabrics containing 85% or more cotton. If the cotton content is 85% or higher, 5211.20 cannot be used. Another common error is using 5210.21, which applies to bleached blends that weigh 200g/m2 or less. Importers must verify both the exact weight and the exact fiber percentage to avoid these common errors.

5209.21Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing more than 200g/m25209.22Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill, weighing more than 200g/m252.09Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 200g/m25210.21Fabrics, woven; containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, bleached, plain weave, weighing 200g/m2 or less

Top exporters and importers of HS 521120 (the code used for heavy bleached blend), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 521120 (the code used for heavy bleached blend) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 26% 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 521120, not only heavy bleached blend.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $32M
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$6.6M
  3. 3 Türkiye $5.6M

World total: $73M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Bangladesh* ~$17M
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$9.1M
  3. 3 China $7.4M

World total: $65M 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 heavy bleached blend

Brazil splits HS 5211.20 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 5211.20.10Bleached cotton-mix plain weave, over 200 g/m²
  • 5211.20.20Bleached cotton-mix 3/4-thread twill over 200 g/m²
  • 5211.20.90Bleached cotton-mix, other weaves, over 200 g/m²

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

Questions about heavy bleached blend

What is the HS code for Heavy bleached blend?

The HS code for Heavy bleached blend is 521120 (Fabrics, woven; containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, bleached). The HS code for heavy bleached woven fabrics containing less than 85% cotton mixed with man-made fibers and weighing over 200g/m2 is 5211.20.

How do I classify Heavy bleached blend for customs?

Heavy bleached blend is classified under HS code 521120 — Fabrics, woven; containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, bleached. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

How is 'heavy' defined for this fabric classification?

In the context of Chapter 52, 'heavy' refers to fabrics with a weight exceeding 200 grams per square meter (g/m2).

Which countries are the top exporters of heavy bleached blend (HS 521120)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 521120 (the code used for heavy bleached blend) in UN Comtrade data were China ($32M, 43% of world exports), Vietnam (about $6.6M) and Türkiye ($5.6M). World exports came to about $73M, 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 heavy bleached blend (HS 521120)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 521120 (the code used for heavy bleached blend) in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $17M, 26% of world imports), Vietnam (about $9.1M) and China ($7.4M). World imports came to about $65M, 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 Heavy bleached blend the same in all countries?

The base HS code 521120 for Heavy bleached blend 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 heavy bleached blend in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 521120 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for heavy bleached blend depends on the product's details: 5211.20.10 (Bleached cotton-mix plain weave, over 200 g/m²), 5211.20.20 (Bleached cotton-mix 3/4-thread twill over 200 g/m²), 5211.20.90 (Bleached cotton-mix, other weaves, over 200 g/m²).