Product classification

HS code for Medium weight white cotton fabric: 5208.22

Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2.

Classification of medium weight white cotton fabric under HS 5208.22

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.

Covers
  • Bleached cotton sheeting
  • White cotton poplin (medium weight)
  • Bleached cotton broadcloth
  • White cotton percale for hotel linens
  • Bleached cotton lawn (exceeding 100 g/m2)
Also under 5208.22
  • White calico for crafts
  • bleached poplin for shirts
  • white cotton bed sheets
  • bleached drill for uniforms
  • white canvas for painting

Codes often confused with 5208.22

Common mistake. 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.

5208.12Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m25208.21Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m25209.21Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing more than 200g/m25208.29Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, of weaves n.e.c. in item no. 5208.2, weighing not more than 200g/m2

Top exporters and importers of HS 520822 (the code used for medium weight white cotton fabric), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 520822 (the code used for medium weight white cotton fabric) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 47% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 8.4% 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 520822, not only medium weight white cotton fabric.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $135M
  2. 2 Pakistan $44M
  3. 3 India $18M

World total: $288M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Bangladesh* ~$22M
  2. 2 Spain $21M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$21M

World total: $265M 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 medium weight white cotton fabric

Brazil classifies medium weight white cotton fabric under NCM 5208.22.00: HS 5208.22 with 00 added.

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

Questions about medium weight white cotton fabric

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

The HS code for Medium weight white cotton fabric is 520822 (Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2). The HS code is 5208.22, which covers bleached, plain weave cotton fabrics (>=85% cotton) weighing between 101 and 200 g/m2.

How do I classify Medium weight white cotton fabric for customs?

Medium weight white cotton fabric is classified under HS code 520822 — Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

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).

Which countries are the top exporters of medium weight white cotton fabric (HS 520822)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 520822 (the code used for medium weight white cotton fabric) in UN Comtrade data were China ($135M, 47% of world exports), Pakistan ($44M) and India ($18M). World exports came to about $288M, 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 medium weight white cotton fabric (HS 520822)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 520822 (the code used for medium weight white cotton fabric) in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $22M, 8.4% of world imports), Spain ($21M) and Vietnam (about $21M). World imports came to about $265M, 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 Medium weight white cotton fabric the same in all countries?

The base HS code 520822 for Medium weight 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 medium weight white cotton fabric in Brazil?

In Brazil, medium weight white cotton fabric (HS 520822) is classified under NCM 5208.22.00.