Product classification
HS code for Straining 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 straining cloth under HS 5911.40
Straining cloth used for technical purposes, such as in oil presses or similar industrial machinery, is classified under HS code 5911.40. This classification is part of Chapter 59, which covers textile products specifically designed for technical or industrial use. Heading 5911 includes textile articles that have been specialized for machinery, and subheading 5911.40 specifically mentions straining cloth, even if it is made of human hair. The classification is determined by the intended technical application and the durability of the fabric, which must withstand the high pressures and mechanical stresses of industrial filtration processes. Unlike standard household textiles, these products are engineered for specific industrial functions, often involving the separation of solids from liquids in manufacturing environments.
- Covers
- Oil press filter cloths
- Industrial straining fabrics
- Human hair straining cloth for technical use
- Heavy-duty textile filters for industrial machinery
- Filter press cloths
- 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. Straining cloth is often misclassified under 5911.90, which is a general category for other technical textiles. However, because 5911.40 specifically mentions straining cloth, it takes precedence. Another error is classifying industrial straining cloth as a general textile article under 6307.90. Furthermore, if the cloth is for kitchen use rather than industrial use, it might be incorrectly placed here; household cheesecloth or strainers usually fall under different headings depending on their material and construction. The technical use in a press or similar machine is the key identifier for 5911.40.
Top exporters and importers of HS 591140 (the code used for straining cloth), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 591140 (the code used for straining 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 straining 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 straining cloth
Brazil classifies straining 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 straining cloth
What is the HS code for Straining cloth?
The HS code for Straining 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).
How do I classify Straining cloth for customs?
Straining 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.
What is the HS code for industrial straining cloth?
The HS code for straining cloth of a kind used in oil presses or similar technical applications is 5911.40.
Can straining cloth made of human hair be classified here?
Yes, HS code 5911.40 specifically includes straining cloth made of human hair if it is used for technical purposes like oil pressing.
Which countries are the top exporters of straining cloth (HS 591140)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 591140 (the code used for straining 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 straining cloth (HS 591140)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 591140 (the code used for straining 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 Straining cloth the same in all countries?
The base HS code 591140 for Straining 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 straining cloth in Brazil?
In Brazil, straining cloth (HS 591140) is classified under NCM 5911.40.00.