Product classification
HS code for Lightweight poly-cotton twill: 5513.12
Fabrics, woven, 3-thread or 4-thread twill, of polyester staple fibres, containing less than 85% by weight of such, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not exceeding 170g/m2, unbleached or bleached.
Classification of lightweight poly-cotton twill under HS 5513.12
Lightweight poly-cotton twill is classified under HS code 5513.12 based on its specific weave construction and fiber composition. This code covers woven fabrics containing less than 85% polyester staple fibers mixed mainly or solely with cotton, weighing 170g/m2 or less. The distinguishing feature of this subheading is the 3-thread or 4-thread twill weave, which includes cross twill. Twill is characterized by diagonal ribs or wales on the fabric surface, created by an offset in the warp and weft intersections. Because the fabric is in an unbleached or bleached state, it falls under the first group of subheadings in 5513. Accurate classification requires a physical inspection of the weave pattern to differentiate it from plain weave (5513.11) or other weaves (5513.13). The use of staple fibers is a requirement for Chapter 55, distinguishing these textiles from filament-based fabrics which offer different luster and strength profiles.
- Covers
- Bleached 3-thread twill poly-cotton fabric
- Unbleached 4-thread twill polyester-cotton blends
- Lightweight poly-cotton drill (unbleached/bleached)
- Bleached gabardine-style poly-cotton under 170g/m2
- Unbleached cross-twill blended textiles
- Also under 5513.12
- Cone Denim (some twill blends)
- Milliken & Company (workwear fabrics)
- Arvind Ltd. (twill shirting)
- Raymond Ltd. (twill fabrics)
- Shandong Ruyi Technology Group (base twills)
Codes often confused with 5513.12
Common mistake. A common misclassification is using HS code 5513.11, which is reserved for plain weave. If the diagonal ribbing of a twill is present, 5513.12 is the only correct choice. Another frequent error is the use of 5514.12, which is the code for twill blends that weigh more than 170g/m2. Importers must also be careful not to use 5210.19, which applies to cotton-predominant blends. If the fabric has been dyed a specific color, it should be classified under 5513.22 rather than 5513.12. Proper documentation of the thread count in the twill (3-thread vs 4-thread) is essential for verifying this specific subheading.
Top exporters and importers of HS 551312 (the code used for lightweight poly-cotton twill), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 551312 (the code used for lightweight poly-cotton twill) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 63% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Dominican Republic, with 23% 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 551312, not only lightweight poly-cotton twill.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $25M 63% of world exports
- 2 Indonesia $3.7M 9.5% of world exports
- 3 Pakistan $2.2M 5.7% of world exports
World total: $39M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Dominican Republic $11M 23% of world imports
- 2 Bangladesh* ~$6.1M 13% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Vietnam* ~$4.2M 8.8% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $48M 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 code for lightweight poly-cotton twill
Brazil classifies lightweight poly-cotton twill under NCM 5513.12.00: HS 5513.12 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about lightweight poly-cotton twill
What is the HS code for Lightweight poly-cotton twill?
The HS code for Lightweight poly-cotton twill is 551312 (Fabrics, woven; 3-thread or 4-thread twill, of polyester staple fibres, containing less than 85% by weight of such, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not exceeding 170g/m2, unbleached or bleached). The HS code for lightweight 3-thread or 4-thread twill poly-cotton (less than 85% polyester, unbleached or bleached) is 5513.12.
How do I classify Lightweight poly-cotton twill for customs?
Lightweight poly-cotton twill is classified under HS code 551312 — Fabrics, woven; 3-thread or 4-thread twill, of polyester staple fibres, containing less than 85% by weight of such, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not exceeding 170g/m2, unbleached or bleached. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 3-thread and 4-thread twill?
A 3-thread twill has a weave repeat spanning three threads, while a 4-thread twill spans four, affecting the angle and prominence of the diagonal ribbing on the fabric.
Which countries are the top exporters of lightweight poly-cotton twill (HS 551312)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 551312 (the code used for lightweight poly-cotton twill) in UN Comtrade data were China ($25M, 63% of world exports), Indonesia ($3.7M) and Pakistan ($2.2M). World exports came to about $39M, 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 lightweight poly-cotton twill (HS 551312)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 551312 (the code used for lightweight poly-cotton twill) in UN Comtrade data were the Dominican Republic ($11M, 23% of world imports), Bangladesh (about $6.1M) and Vietnam (about $4.2M). World imports came to about $48M, 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 Lightweight poly-cotton twill the same in all countries?
The base HS code 551312 for Lightweight poly-cotton twill 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 lightweight poly-cotton twill in Brazil?
In Brazil, lightweight poly-cotton twill (HS 551312) is classified under NCM 5513.12.00.