Product classification
HS code for Viscose blend fabric: 5516.21
Fabrics, woven, unbleached or bleached, containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with manmade filaments.
Classification of viscose blend fabric under HS 5516.21
Viscose blend fabric is classified under HS code 5516.21, which refers to woven fabrics containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments. This classification is situated within Chapter 55, which covers man-made staple fibers. The logic behind this classification is rooted in the fiber composition and the manufacturing state of the fabric. Viscose is a type of artificial fiber, and staple fibers are fibers of finite length, as opposed to continuous filaments. When these staple fibers are blended with other man-made filaments (like polyester or nylon filaments) and the viscose portion is less than 85% of the total weight, 5516.21 is the applicable code for unbleached or bleached fabrics. The classification follows GRI 3(b), which dictates that mixtures should be classified by the material that gives them their essential character. In the textile chapters, weight thresholds are strictly applied to ensure uniform classification. This specific code ensures that fabrics with a significant but not dominant artificial staple fiber content are correctly identified for trade statistics and duty applications. The "unbleached or bleached" status is a critical sub-distinction for this specific code.
- Covers
- Unbleached viscose and polyester staple blends
- Bleached rayon and nylon staple fiber fabrics
- Woven fabrics of viscose staple mixed with synthetic filaments
- Lightweight bleached viscose blend linings
- Bleached artificial staple fiber utility fabrics
- Also under 5516.21
- Lenzing Modal blends
- Tencel blends
- Bemberg Cupro linings
- Toray fabrics
- DuPont Sorona blends
Codes often confused with 5516.21
Common mistake. This fabric is often misclassified under 5516.11, which is for fabrics containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibers. It is also confused with 5408.21, which covers woven fabrics of artificial filament yarn. The distinction between staple fibers (Chapter 55) and filament yarns (Chapter 54) is the most common source of error in textile classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS 551621 (the code used for viscose blend fabric), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 551621 (the code used for viscose blend fabric) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 58% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, 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 551621, not only viscose blend fabric.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $26M 58% of world exports
- 2 Indonesia $4.1M 9.2% of world exports
- 3 Germany $2.3M 5.2% of world exports
World total: $45M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Indonesia $9.0M 18% of world imports
- 2 Italy $8.7M 18% of world imports
- 3 Japan $4.6M 9.2% of world imports
World total: $50M 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 viscose blend fabric
Brazil classifies viscose blend fabric under NCM 5516.21.00: HS 5516.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about viscose blend fabric
What is the HS code for Viscose blend fabric?
The HS code for Viscose blend fabric is 551621 (Fabrics, woven; unbleached or bleached, containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with manmade filaments). The HS code for unbleached or bleached viscose blend fabric (less than 85% staple fiber) is 5516.21.
How do I classify Viscose blend fabric for customs?
Viscose blend fabric is classified under HS code 551621 — Fabrics, woven; unbleached or bleached, containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with manmade filaments. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the viscose blend fabric is dyed?
If the fabric is dyed rather than unbleached or bleached, it would be classified under HS code 5516.22.
Which countries are the top exporters of viscose blend fabric (HS 551621)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 551621 (the code used for viscose blend fabric) in UN Comtrade data were China ($26M, 58% of world exports), Indonesia ($4.1M) and Germany ($2.3M). World exports came to about $45M, 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 viscose blend fabric (HS 551621)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 551621 (the code used for viscose blend fabric) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($9.0M, 18% of world imports), Italy ($8.7M) and Japan ($4.6M). World imports came to about $50M, 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 Viscose blend fabric the same in all countries?
The base HS code 551621 for Viscose blend 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 viscose blend fabric in Brazil?
In Brazil, viscose blend fabric (HS 551621) is classified under NCM 5516.21.00.