Product classification
HS code for Press cloth: 5911.40
Textile products and articles for technical uses, straining cloth of a kind used in oil presses and the like, including that of human hair.
Classification of press cloth under HS 5911.40
Press cloth is classified under HS code 5911.40. This code belongs to Chapter 59, which covers impregnated, coated, covered, or laminated textile fabrics and textile articles suitable for industrial use. Heading 5911 is specifically dedicated to textile products and articles for technical uses. Subheading 5911.40 covers straining cloth of a kind used in oil presses and similar applications. This includes heavy, dense fabrics designed to withstand high pressure during filtration or extraction processes. Notably, this code also includes press cloths made of human hair, which is a traditional material for certain types of oil extraction. The classification is based on the technical function of the cloth as a filtering or straining medium in an industrial context.
- Covers
- Filter press cloths for industrial filtration
- Straining cloths for oil extraction
- Heavy textile fabrics for juice presses
- Human hair straining cloths
- Synthetic fiber press cloths for technical use
- Woven textile filter media for pressure filters
- Also under 5911.40
- Sefar Filter Fabrics
- Saati Filtration
- Clear Edge Filtration
- Micronics Filtration
- GKD Group (filter media)
Codes often confused with 5911.40
Common mistake. Press cloth is sometimes misclassified under the general textile headings of Chapters 50 through 55 depending on the base material (e.g., cotton or polyester). However, because these cloths are specifically designed for technical straining use, 5911.40 takes precedence as a more specific heading. Another common error is classifying the cloth under 8421 as part of a filtering machinery. While the machine itself is in 8421, the textile component (the cloth) is classified by its material constituent in 5911.40. It should also not be confused with 5911.10, which covers narrow fabrics for card clothing.
Top exporters and importers of HS 591140 (the code used for press cloth), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 591140 (the code used for press cloth) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, 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 591140, not only press cloth.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $128M 28% of world exports
- 2 Germany $103M 23% of world exports
- 3 Japan $49M 11% of world exports
World total: $457M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $48M 12% of world imports
- 2 Poland $38M 9.0% of world imports
- 3 United States $35M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $419M 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 press cloth
Brazil classifies press cloth under NCM 5911.40.00: HS 5911.40 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about press cloth
What is the HS code for Press cloth?
The HS code for Press cloth is 591140 (Textile products and articles for technical uses; straining cloth of a kind used in oil presses and the like, including that of human hair). The HS code for straining or press cloth used in technical applications is 5911.40.
How do I classify Press cloth for customs?
Press cloth is classified under HS code 591140 — Textile products and articles for technical uses; straining cloth of a kind used in oil presses and the like, including that of human hair. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include cloths made of synthetic materials?
Yes, as long as the cloth is designed for technical straining or oil press use, it is classified under 5911.40 regardless of whether it is made of natural or synthetic fibers.
Which countries are the top exporters of press cloth (HS 591140)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 591140 (the code used for press cloth) in UN Comtrade data were China ($128M, 28% of world exports), Germany ($103M) and Japan ($49M). World exports came to about $457M, 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 press cloth (HS 591140)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 591140 (the code used for press cloth) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($48M, 12% of world imports), Poland ($38M) and the United States ($35M). World imports came to about $419M, 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 Press cloth the same in all countries?
The base HS code 591140 for Press cloth 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 press cloth in Brazil?
In Brazil, press cloth (HS 591140) is classified under NCM 5911.40.00.