Product classification

HS code for Heavy denim fabric: 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 heavy denim fabric under HS 5211.42

Heavy denim fabric is classified under HS code 5211.42. This classification is determined by the material composition and the weight of the textile. Heading 5211 covers woven fabrics of cotton containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers, and weighing more than 200g/m2. The subheading 5211.42 is specifically for denim. To qualify as denim under the HS nomenclature, the fabric must be a twill weave (usually 3-thread or 4-thread), where the warp yarns are of one color (typically blue) and the weft yarns are unbleached, bleached, or dyed a lighter shade. The "heavy" designation is satisfied by the requirement that the fabric weighs more than 200g/m2, which is standard for durable denim used in jeans and workwear.

Covers
  • Poly-cotton blend heavy denim
  • Stretch denim containing elastane (where cotton is <85%)
  • Heavyweight denim mixed with polyester fibers
  • Yarn-dyed cotton-synthetic blend twill denim
  • Industrial denim for protective clothing
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 occurs with HS code 5209.42. The distinction lies in the cotton content: 5209.42 is for denim containing 85% or more cotton, while 5211.42 is for blends where cotton is less than 85%. Another error is using 5514, which applies to fabrics where man-made staple fibers predominate by weight over cotton. If the fabric weighs less than 200g/m2, it would be classified under 5210.49.

5209.42Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, weighing more than 200g/m2, denim55.14Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres, containing less than 85% by weight of such fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, of a weight exceeding 170g/m25210.49Fabrics, 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 heavy denim fabric), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 521142 (the code used for heavy denim fabric) 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 heavy denim fabric.

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 heavy denim fabric

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 heavy denim fabric

What is the HS code for Heavy denim fabric?

The HS code for Heavy denim fabric 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 heavy denim fabric (mixed with man-made fibers, <85% cotton, >200g/m2) is 5211.42.

How do I classify Heavy denim fabric for customs?

Heavy denim fabric 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 HS classification?

Under the HS notes, denim must be a twill weave with different colored warp and weft yarns, specifically where the warp is dyed and the weft is unbleached, bleached, or grey.

Which countries are the top exporters of heavy denim fabric (HS 521142)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 521142 (the code used for heavy denim fabric) 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 heavy denim fabric (HS 521142)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 521142 (the code used for heavy denim fabric) 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 Heavy denim fabric the same in all countries?

The base HS code 521142 for Heavy denim fabric 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 denim fabric in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 521142 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for heavy denim fabric 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).