Product classification
HS code for Industrial fabrics: 5911.90
Textile products and articles for technical uses, n.e.c. in heading no. 5911.
Classification of industrial fabrics under HS 5911.90
Industrial fabrics classified under HS code 5911.90 are textile products and articles specifically designed for technical or industrial applications. This classification falls within Chapter 59, which covers impregnated, coated, covered, or laminated textile fabrics and textile articles suitable for industrial use. Heading 5911 is unique because it prioritizes the functional application of the textile over its material composition, such as cotton or synthetic fibers. Subheading 5911.90 serves as a residual category for technical textile articles that are not specifically named in other subheadings of 5911, such as bolting cloth or specialized textile fabrics used in paper-making machines. To qualify for this code, the article must demonstrate a clear technical purpose, often involving specialized weaving, reinforcement, or treatment to withstand industrial environments, mechanical stress, or chemical exposure. These products are essential components in manufacturing processes rather than finished consumer goods.
- Covers
- Textile gaskets and seals
- Straining cloths used in oil presses
- Textile diaphragms for pumps
- Polishing discs made of textile materials
- Textile bags for dust collectors
- Woven textile felt used in industrial machinery
- Also under 5911.90
- 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. Industrial fabrics are frequently misclassified under general textile headings in Chapters 52 through 55. For example, a heavy-duty polyester fabric might be incorrectly labeled under 5512 if its technical application is not specified. Additionally, they are often confused with HS code 5911.10, which is restricted to narrow fabrics used for machinery clothing, or 5911.20, which is strictly for bolting cloth. Proper classification requires identifying the specific industrial use and ensuring the product meets the technical specifications outlined in the Chapter 59 notes.
Top exporters and importers of HS 591190 (the code used for industrial fabrics), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 591190 (the code used for industrial fabrics) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 591190, not only industrial fabrics.
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 industrial fabrics
Brazil classifies industrial fabrics under NCM 5911.90.00: HS 5911.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about industrial fabrics
What is the HS code for Industrial fabrics?
The HS code for Industrial fabrics is 591190 (Textile products and articles for technical uses; n.e.c. in heading no. 5911). The primary HS code for industrial textile products not elsewhere specified is 5911.90.
How do I classify Industrial fabrics for customs?
Industrial fabrics is classified under HS code 591190 — Textile products and articles for technical uses; n.e.c. in heading no. 5911. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include textile belts for conveyors?
No, conveyor belts made of textile material are generally classified under heading 5910, unless they are specifically part of a machine's technical clothing covered in 5911.
Which countries are the top exporters of industrial fabrics (HS 591190)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 591190 (the code used for industrial fabrics) 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 industrial fabrics (HS 591190)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 591190 (the code used for industrial fabrics) 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.
Is the HS code for Industrial fabrics the same in all countries?
The base HS code 591190 for Industrial fabrics 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 industrial fabrics in Brazil?
In Brazil, industrial fabrics (HS 591190) is classified under NCM 5911.90.00.