Product classification
HS code for Terry cloth: 6001.21
Fabrics, looped pile fabrics, of cotton, knitted or crocheted.
Classification of terry cloth under HS 6001.21
Terry cloth is classified under HS code 6001.21 when it is a knitted or crocheted looped pile fabric made of cotton. The classification is based on two primary criteria: the construction method and the material composition. Heading 6001 covers all knitted or crocheted pile fabrics, including long pile and looped pile. The subheading 6001.21 specifically identifies looped pile fabrics where cotton is the predominant fiber. Unlike woven terry fabrics, knitted terry is produced on circular or flat knitting machines that incorporate an extra yarn to form the characteristic loops. This construction provides the fabric with the stretch and softness typical of knitwear while maintaining the high absorbency of cotton loops. Customs authorities require the identification of the knitting process to distinguish this from woven alternatives found in Chapter 58.
- Covers
- Knitted cotton terry fabric
- Cotton looped pile knit fabrics
- Knitted terry toweling in the piece
- Circular knit cotton terry
- Crocheted cotton looped pile fabrics
- Also under 6001.21
- Frette Bath Towels
- GapKids French Terry Hoodies
- Aden + Anais Muslin Terry
- Christy Towels
- Ralph Lauren Polo Shirts (French Terry)
Codes often confused with 6001.21
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is HS code 5802.11, which covers woven terry toweling of cotton. The distinction is purely structural; 6001.21 is for knitted fabrics, while 5802.11 is for woven fabrics. Another error involves HS code 6001.22, which is used if the terry cloth is made of man-made fibers (like polyester) rather than cotton.
Top exporters and importers of HS 600121 (the code used for terry cloth), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 600121 (the code used for terry cloth) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Cambodia, with about 25% 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 600121, not only terry cloth.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $185M 36% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $164M 32% of world exports
- 3 Singapore $62M 12% of world exports
World total: $517M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Cambodia* ~$142M 25% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Jordan* ~$134M 24% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Vietnam* ~$85M 15% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $562M 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 code for terry cloth
Brazil classifies terry cloth under NCM 6001.21.00: HS 6001.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about terry cloth
What is the HS code for Terry cloth?
The HS code for Terry cloth is 600121 (Fabrics; looped pile fabrics, of cotton, knitted or crocheted).
How do I classify Terry cloth for customs?
Terry cloth is classified under HS code 600121 — Fabrics; looped pile fabrics, of cotton, knitted or crocheted. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for cotton terry cloth?
Knitted cotton terry cloth is classified under HS code 6001.21.
How do I distinguish between 6001.21 and 5802.11?
Check the base of the fabric; if the yarns are interlaced in a grid (warp and weft), it is woven (5802.11). If the yarns are intermeshed in loops, it is knitted (6001.21).
Which countries are the top exporters of terry cloth (HS 600121)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 600121 (the code used for terry cloth) in UN Comtrade data were China ($185M, 36% of world exports), Malaysia ($164M) and Singapore ($62M). World exports came to about $517M, 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 terry cloth (HS 600121)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 600121 (the code used for terry cloth) in UN Comtrade data were Cambodia (about $142M, 25% of world imports), Jordan (about $134M) and Vietnam (about $85M). World imports came to about $562M, 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 Terry cloth the same in all countries?
The base HS code 600121 for Terry 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 terry cloth in Brazil?
In Brazil, terry cloth (HS 600121) is classified under NCM 6001.21.00.