Product classification
HS code for Technical textiles: 5911.90
Textile products and articles for technical uses, n.e.c. in heading no. 5911.
Classification of technical textiles under HS 5911.90
Technical textiles are classified under HS code 5911.90. This code is part of 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, as defined in Note 8 to Chapter 59. The subheading 5911.90 serves as a residual category for technical textile articles that are not specifically mentioned in other subheadings (such as bolting cloth or straining cloth). These products are characterized by their functional performance rather than their aesthetic appeal. They are often "made up" into specific shapes or incorporated into machinery. Examples include gaskets, washers, and specialized discs used in industrial processes. The classification depends on the item being a textile product that has been specifically adapted or manufactured for a technical, non-apparel, and non-decorative purpose.
- Covers
- Textile gaskets and washers for industrial sealing
- Polishing discs made of textile materials
- Textile parts for machinery and plant equipment
- Industrial filters not specified in other headings
- Textile diaphragms for pumps and valves
- Also under 5911.90
- 3M Abrasive Backings
- DuPont Kevlar technical fabrics
- Gore-Tex industrial laminates
- Freudenberg Performance Materials (technical nonwovens)
- SGL Carbon (carbon fiber textiles)
Codes often confused with 5911.90
Common mistake. Technical textiles are often misclassified under 5911.10 or 5911.20 if the importer assumes all industrial textiles belong there; however, those codes are for specific items like card clothing or bolting cloth. Another common error is using HS code 6307.90 (other made-up articles). While technical textiles are "made up," Note 8 to Chapter 59 directs these specific industrial items to 5911. Furthermore, if a textile filter is part of a complex machine, it might be confused with the machinery code in Chapter 84, but as a replaceable textile component, it remains in 5911.
Top exporters and importers of HS 591190 (the code used for technical textiles), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 591190 (the code used for technical textiles) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 591190, not only technical textiles.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $650M 19% of world exports
- 2 China $569M 16% of world exports
- 3 United States $375M 11% of world exports
World total: $3.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $644M 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $245M 6.8% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $235M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $3.6B 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 technical textiles
Brazil classifies technical textiles under NCM 5911.90.00: HS 5911.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about technical textiles
What is the HS code for Technical textiles?
The HS code for Technical textiles is 591190 (Textile products and articles for technical uses; n.e.c. in heading no. 5911). The residual HS code for various textile articles for technical use is 5911.90.
How do I classify Technical textiles for customs?
Technical textiles is classified under HS code 591190 — Textile products and articles for technical uses; n.e.c. in heading no. 5911. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include textile conveyor belts?
No, textile conveyor belts are generally classified under HS code 5910.00, which specifically covers transmission or conveyor belts or belting.
Which countries are the top exporters of technical textiles (HS 591190)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 591190 (the code used for technical textiles) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($650M, 19% of world exports), China ($569M) and the United States ($375M). World exports came to about $3.5B, 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 technical textiles (HS 591190)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 591190 (the code used for technical textiles) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($644M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($245M) and Mexico ($235M). World imports came to about $3.6B, 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 Technical textiles the same in all countries?
The base HS code 591190 for Technical textiles 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 technical textiles in Brazil?
In Brazil, technical textiles (HS 591190) is classified under NCM 5911.90.00.