Product classification

HS code for Narrow elastic fabric: 6002.90

Fabrics, knitted or crocheted, other than those of heading 60.01, of a width not exceeding 30 cm, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread.

Classification of narrow elastic fabric under HS 6002.90

Narrow elastic fabrics are classified under HS code 6002.90 when they are knitted or crocheted, measure 30 centimeters or less in width, and contain 5% or more by weight of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread. This specific code is part of heading 60.02, which is reserved for knitted fabrics with high elastic content, distinguishing them from the non-elastic narrow knits of heading 60.03. The \"Other\" designation in 6002.90 typically applies to fabrics where the elastic component is the defining characteristic regardless of the base fiber (cotton, synthetic, etc.), provided they don't fall under the more specific 6002.40 (which covers fabrics containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not rubber thread). Accurate weight-based composition analysis is essential for this classification. The presence of rubber thread specifically often pushes the product into 6002.90. These fabrics are essential in the apparel industry for waistbands, cuffs, and athletic wear. The 30 cm width limit is a strict boundary; any knitted elastic fabric wider than this would be classified under 6002.40 or 6002.90 but would be considered \"wide\" fabric in trade statistics, though the HS code structure for 60.02 handles width slightly differently than 60.03. It is also vital to ensure the fabric is truly knitted; woven elastic is a very different product category.

Covers
  • Elastic bands for underwear (knitted)
  • Stretch lace (narrow, knitted)
  • Rubber-threaded knit strips
  • Knitted elastic webbing under 30cm
  • High-stretch knitted trimmings
Also under 6002.90
  • YKK (elastic tapes)
  • Prym (elastic bands)
  • Muehlmeier (bra components)
  • Bemis Associates (stretch trims)
  • Nike (performance apparel elastic)

Codes often confused with 6002.90

Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is with HS code 6003.90, which is for narrow knit fabrics that are NOT elastic. Another common error is confusing this with HS code 5806.20, which covers narrow woven elastic fabrics. The distinction between a knitted structure and a woven structure is the primary factor here. Additionally, if the fabric contains elastomeric yarn but no rubber thread, 6002.40 might be more appropriate.

6002.40Fabrics; knitted or crocheted, other than those of heading 60.01, of a width not exceeding 30 cm, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not containing rubber thread6003.90Fabrics; knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of heading 60.01 and 60.02, of a width not exceeding 30 cm, other than of wool and fine animal hair, cotton, synthetic or artificial fibres5806.20Fabrics; narrow (excluding pile fabrics), containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread

Top exporters and importers of HS 600290 (the code used for narrow elastic fabric), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 600290 (the code used for narrow elastic fabric) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 14% 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 600290, not only narrow elastic fabric.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $72M
  2. 2 Hong Kong $10M
  3. 3 Thailand $6.5M

World total: $139M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Indonesia $18M
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$16M
  3. 3 Philippines $9.4M

World total: $135M 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 codes for narrow elastic fabric

Brazil splits HS 6002.90 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 6002.90.10Cotton knit up to 30 cm, with rubber thread
  • 6002.90.20Man-made knit up to 30 cm, with rubber thread
  • 6002.90.90Other knit up to 30 cm, with rubber thread

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

Questions about narrow elastic fabric

What is the HS code for Narrow elastic fabric?

The HS code for Narrow elastic fabric is 600290 (Fabrics; knitted or crocheted, other than those of heading 60.01, of a width not exceeding 30 cm, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread). The HS code is 6002.90 for knitted narrow fabrics containing 5% or more elastomeric yarn or rubber thread.

How do I classify Narrow elastic fabric for customs?

Narrow elastic fabric is classified under HS code 600290 — Fabrics; knitted or crocheted, other than those of heading 60.01, of a width not exceeding 30 cm, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What defines \"elastic\" for this HS code?

The fabric must contain at least 5% by weight of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread to be classified under heading 60.02.

Which countries are the top exporters of narrow elastic fabric (HS 600290)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 600290 (the code used for narrow elastic fabric) in UN Comtrade data were China ($72M, 52% of world exports), Hong Kong ($10M) and Thailand ($6.5M). World exports came to about $139M, 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 narrow elastic fabric (HS 600290)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 600290 (the code used for narrow elastic fabric) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($18M, 14% of world imports), Vietnam (about $16M) and the Philippines ($9.4M). World imports came to about $135M, 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 Narrow elastic fabric the same in all countries?

The base HS code 600290 for Narrow elastic 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 narrow elastic fabric in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 600290 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for narrow elastic fabric depends on the product's details: 6002.90.10 (Cotton knit up to 30 cm, with rubber thread), 6002.90.20 (Man-made knit up to 30 cm, with rubber thread), 6002.90.90 (Other knit up to 30 cm, with rubber thread).