Product classification
HS code for Sifting cloth: 5911.20
Textile products and articles for technical uses, bolting cloth, whether or not made up.
Classification of sifting cloth under HS 5911.20
Sifting cloth, known in technical terms as bolting cloth, is classified under HS code 5911.20. This classification is found in Chapter 59, which covers impregnated, coated, covered, or laminated textile fabrics and textile articles suitable for industrial use. Heading 5911 specifically addresses textile products and articles for technical uses. Subheading 5911.20 is dedicated to bolting cloth, whether or not it is "made up." Bolting cloth is a stiff, clear, woven fabric, usually made of silk or synthetic monofilaments (such as nylon or polyester). It is characterized by a very precise and stable mesh size, which is essential for its use in sifting, screening, or bolting (especially in flour milling) and for screen printing. According to Note 7 to Chapter 59, this heading includes bolting cloth even if it has been cut to shape or finished with borders for use in machinery. The classification is based on the technical specifications of the fabric rather than just the material composition. The fabric must be of a kind used for technical or industrial purposes to remain in this heading; ordinary gauze or mesh used for clothing or household purposes would be classified in Chapters 50 to 55.
- Covers
- Silk bolting cloth
- Synthetic fiber sifting cloth
- Nylon mesh for screen printing
- Flour mill sifting screens (textile)
- Made-up bolting cloth with reinforced edges
- Also under 5911.20
- Sefar Bolting Cloth
- Saati Screen Printing Mesh
- NBC Meshtec
- Tetko (now Sefar)
- Reemay (for filtration)
Codes often confused with 5911.20
Common mistake. Sifting cloth is often misclassified under HS code 7314.12 if it is made of stainless steel wire; 5911.20 is strictly for textile-based cloths. Another common error is using HS code 3926.90 for plastic mesh that does not meet the technical definition of bolting cloth. Furthermore, if the cloth is not for technical use, it might be incorrectly placed in 5407 (woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn). It is also distinct from 5911.10, which covers narrow fabrics used for machinery belts.
Top exporters and importers of HS 591120 (the code used for sifting cloth), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 591120 (the code used for sifting cloth) in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 16% 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 591120, not only sifting cloth.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Switzerland $77M 27% of world exports
- 2 China $55M 19% of world exports
- 3 Romania $30M 11% of world exports
World total: $283M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $50M 16% of world imports
- 2 United States $40M 13% of world imports
- 3 Germany $37M 12% of world imports
World total: $313M 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 codes for sifting cloth
Brazil splits HS 5911.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 5911.20.10Man-made fibre bolting cloth in the piece
- 5911.20.90Other bolting cloth, whether or not made up
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about sifting cloth
What is the HS code for Sifting cloth?
The HS code for Sifting cloth is 591120 (Textile products and articles for technical uses; bolting cloth, whether or not made up). The HS code for textile sifting cloth (bolting cloth) is 5911.20.
How do I classify Sifting cloth for customs?
Sifting cloth is classified under HS code 591120 — Textile products and articles for technical uses; bolting cloth, whether or not made up. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include metal wire mesh?
No, metal wire mesh used for sifting is classified under heading 7314, specifically 7314.12 or 7314.14 depending on the weave and material.
Which countries are the top exporters of sifting cloth (HS 591120)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 591120 (the code used for sifting cloth) in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($77M, 27% of world exports), China ($55M) and Romania ($30M). World exports came to about $283M, 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 sifting cloth (HS 591120)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 591120 (the code used for sifting cloth) in UN Comtrade data were China ($50M, 16% of world imports), the United States ($40M) and Germany ($37M). World imports came to about $313M, 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 Sifting cloth the same in all countries?
The base HS code 591120 for Sifting 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 sifting cloth in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 591120 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for sifting cloth depends on the product's details: 5911.20.10 (Man-made fibre bolting cloth in the piece), 5911.20.90 (Other bolting cloth, whether or not made up).