Product classification

HS code for Lightweight white cotton fabric: 5208.21

Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2.

Classification of lightweight white cotton fabric under HS 5208.21

The classification 5208.21 applies to woven fabrics with a high cotton content, specifically 85% or more by weight. These fabrics are categorized as lightweight, with a maximum weight of 100 grams per square meter (g/m2). The technical requirements for this code specify a plain weave structure and a bleached finish. Bleaching is the process of removing natural pigments from the cotton fibers to produce a clean, white appearance. This code is typically used for very fine, high-quality cotton textiles such as lawn, voile, or batiste. Because the cotton content is so high, the fabric retains maximum absorbency and softness. Customs authorities often require precise weight measurements and fiber content testing to verify that the cotton percentage does not fall below the 85% threshold, which would trigger a change in classification.

Covers
  • Bleached cotton lawn (>=85% cotton, <=100g/m2)
  • White cotton voile (plain weave)
  • Bleached cotton batiste for linings
  • Lightweight white cotton muslin under 100g/m2
Also under 5208.21
  • White muslin for dressmaking
  • bleached voile for sheer curtains
  • medical gauze
  • white cotton handkerchiefs
  • bleached baby clothes fabric

Codes often confused with 5208.21

Common mistake. This code is often confused with HS code 5208.11, which covers the same fabric in an unbleached (greige) state. Another common error is using 5208.31, which is for dyed plain weave cotton fabrics. If the fabric weight exceeds 100g/m2 but is still 200g/m2 or less, it falls under 5208.22. Additionally, if the cotton content is less than 85% and mixed with man-made fibers, the fabric must be classified under heading 5210, specifically 5210.21 for bleached plain weave fabrics under 200g/m2.

5208.11Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m25208.31Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m25208.22Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m252.10Woven fabrics of cotton, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing not more than 200 g/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 520821 (the code used for lightweight white cotton fabric), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 520821 (the code used for lightweight white cotton fabric) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Morocco, 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 520821, not only lightweight white cotton fabric.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $94M
  2. 2 India $40M
  3. 3 Pakistan $34M

World total: $214M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Morocco $22M
  2. 2 Mauritania* ~$16M
  3. 3 Algeria* ~$14M

World total: $174M 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 white cotton fabric

Brazil classifies lightweight white cotton fabric under NCM 5208.21.00: HS 5208.21 with 00 added.

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

Questions about lightweight white cotton fabric

What is the HS code for Lightweight white cotton fabric?

The HS code for Lightweight white cotton fabric is 520821 (Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2). The HS code for lightweight white cotton fabric (>=85% cotton, bleached, plain weave, <= 100g/m2) is 5208.21.

How do I classify Lightweight white cotton fabric for customs?

Lightweight white cotton fabric is classified under HS code 520821 — Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Why is the 100g/m2 limit important for this code?

The 100g/m2 limit is a specific threshold in the HS nomenclature for heading 5208. Fabrics exceeding this weight are classified under different subheadings (like 5208.22) because they are considered medium-weight rather than lightweight, which often carries different duty implications.

Which countries are the top exporters of lightweight white cotton fabric (HS 520821)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 520821 (the code used for lightweight white cotton fabric) in UN Comtrade data were China ($94M, 44% of world exports), India ($40M) and Pakistan ($34M). World exports came to about $214M, 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 white cotton fabric (HS 520821)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 520821 (the code used for lightweight white cotton fabric) in UN Comtrade data were Morocco ($22M, 12% of world imports), Mauritania (about $16M) and Algeria (about $14M). World imports came to about $174M, 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 white cotton fabric the same in all countries?

The base HS code 520821 for Lightweight white cotton 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 lightweight white cotton fabric in Brazil?

In Brazil, lightweight white cotton fabric (HS 520821) is classified under NCM 5208.21.00.