Product classification

HS code for vegetable fiber fabric: 5311.00

Fabrics, woven, of vegetable textile fibres n.e.c. in heading no. 5309 and 5310, woven fabrics of paper yarn.

Classification of vegetable fiber fabric under HS 5311.00

Vegetable fiber fabrics that are not made from cotton, flax, or jute are classified under HS code 5311.00. This code serves as a residual or "basket" category within Chapter 53, which covers other vegetable textile fibers, paper yarn, and woven fabrics thereof. The classification is based on the material being a woven fabric and the botanical origin of the fibers. According to the Section XI notes of the Harmonized System, textile products are classified by the fiber that predominates by weight. Heading 5311 is used for fabrics woven from fibers such as ramie, hemp, sisal, or abaca when these fibers are the primary component. The fabric must be produced through the interlacing of warp and weft threads. This code also includes woven fabrics made of paper yarn. The classification process requires verifying that the fabric does not meet the criteria for more specific headings like 5309 (flax) or 5310 (jute). It is essential for importers to provide a detailed fiber breakdown to justify the use of this residual code, especially for blended textiles.

Covers
  • Woven ramie fabric
  • Woven hemp fabric
  • Sisal textile fabrics
  • Abaca (Manila hemp) woven cloth
  • Woven fabrics of paper yarn
  • Coconut (coir) fiber fabrics
Also under 5311.00
  • Paper yarn hats
  • Hemp apparel fabric
  • Nettle fiber scarves
  • Coir geotextiles
  • Abaca home decor fabric

Codes often confused with 5311.00

Common mistake. Vegetable fiber fabrics are often misclassified under 5208, 5209, 5210, 5211, or 5212 if they are mistaken for cotton blends. They may also be confused with 5309.00 (woven fabrics of flax) or 5310.00 (woven fabrics of jute). Another common error involves non-woven vegetable fiber materials, which should be classified under heading 5603 rather than 5311.00, as 5311 is strictly for woven constructions.

52.08Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/m252.09Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 200g/m252.10Woven fabrics of cotton, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing not more than 200 g/m252.11Woven fabrics of cotton, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m252.12Other woven fabrics of cotton, n.e.c. in chapter 5256.03Nonwovens; whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated53.11Woven fabrics of other vegetable textile fibres; woven fabrics of paper yarn

Top exporters and importers of HS 531100 (the code used for vegetable fiber fabric), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 531100 (the code used for vegetable fiber fabric) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 54% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Morocco, with 14% 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 531100, not only vegetable fiber fabric.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $70M
  2. 2 Italy $12M
  3. 3 India $12M

World total: $130M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Morocco $21M
  2. 2 South Africa $18M
  3. 3 Spain $13M

World total: $147M 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 vegetable fiber fabric

Brazil classifies vegetable fiber fabric under NCM 5311.00.00: HS 5311.00 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about vegetable fiber fabric

What is the HS code for vegetable fiber fabric?

The HS code for vegetable fiber fabric is 531100 (Fabrics, woven; of vegetable textile fibres n.e.c. in heading no. 5309 and 5310, woven fabrics of paper yarn). The HS code for woven fabrics of vegetable textile fibers (excluding cotton, flax, and jute) is 5311.00.

How do I classify vegetable fiber fabric for customs?

vegetable fiber fabric is classified under HS code 531100 — Fabrics, woven; of vegetable textile fibres n.e.c. in heading no. 5309 and 5310, woven fabrics of paper yarn. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does 5311.00 include bamboo fabric?

No, most modern bamboo fabric is processed as regenerated cellulose (rayon) and is classified under Chapter 54 or 55 as a man-made fiber. Only bamboo fabric produced through mechanical retting (similar to linen) would potentially fall under Chapter 53.

Which countries are the top exporters of vegetable fiber fabric (HS 531100)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 531100 (the code used for vegetable fiber fabric) in UN Comtrade data were China ($70M, 54% of world exports), Italy ($12M) and India ($12M). World exports came to about $130M, 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 vegetable fiber fabric (HS 531100)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 531100 (the code used for vegetable fiber fabric) in UN Comtrade data were Morocco ($21M, 14% of world imports), South Africa ($18M) and Spain ($13M). World imports came to about $147M, 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 vegetable fiber fabric the same in all countries?

The base HS code 531100 for vegetable fiber fabric 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 vegetable fiber fabric in Brazil?

In Brazil, vegetable fiber fabric (HS 531100) is classified under NCM 5311.00.00.