HS Code for Medium weight white cotton fabric

Medium weight white cotton fabric, technically referred to as bleached cotton fabric, is classified under HS code 5208.22. This classification is applied to woven fabrics consisting of at least 85% cotton by weight, weighing more than 100 g/m2 but not more than 200 g/m2, and having undergone a bleaching process. Bleaching involves the treatment of the fabric with chemical agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or sodium hypochlorite, to remove natural pigments and impurities, resulting in a white or off-white appearance. Under Heading 5208, the subheading 5208.22 specifically targets plain weave constructions. It is important to distinguish bleached fabrics from unbleached (greige) fabrics, as the chemical processing adds value and changes the tariff treatment. The weight range of 100 to 200 g/m2 covers a wide variety of standard apparel and household textiles, making this one of the most frequently used codes in the cotton textile trade. Plain weave is the most common structure, where yarns interlace in a simple over-under pattern. If the fabric has been mercerized (treated with caustic soda to increase luster and strength) in addition to being bleached, it still remains under this code as long as it has not been dyed or printed. The 85% cotton threshold is a strict requirement; if the fabric is blended with 16% or more of synthetic fibers, it must be moved to Chapter 54 or 55. Documentation such as a mill certificate or a technical data sheet is usually necessary to prove the weight and the bleaching status during the customs clearance process.

Products Included

• Bleached cotton sheeting
• White cotton poplin (medium weight)
• Bleached cotton broadcloth
• White cotton percale for hotel linens
• Bleached cotton lawn (exceeding 100 g/m2)

Common Misclassification

This code is often confused with 5208.12 (unbleached/greige fabric) or 5208.21 (bleached fabric weighing 100 g/m2 or less). Another common error is using 5209.21 for bleached fabrics that weigh more than 200 g/m2. If the fabric is white but has a twill weave, it must be classified under 5208.29.

FAQ

What is the HS code for medium weight white cotton fabric?

The HS code is 5208.22, which covers bleached, plain weave cotton fabrics (>=85% cotton) weighing between 101 and 200 g/m2.

Is off-white fabric considered bleached or dyed?

If the off-white color is achieved through a bleaching process to remove natural impurities, it is classified as bleached (5208.22). If a cream or beige dye was added, it is classified as dyed (5208.32).