Chapter 52 covers cotton and cotton woven fabrics, including raw cotton, cotton waste, carded cotton, cotton yarn, and cotton woven fabrics. This chapter is the core chapter for cotton textiles in the HS, involving the complete industrial chain from raw materials to finished products. Cotton woven fabrics are further subdivided based on weave type, weight, yarn structure, etc., and are widely used in apparel, home textiles, and other fields. Heading 5208 includes cotton woven fabrics containing 85% or more cotton by weight, subdivided by weave type (plain weave, twill, etc.), weight per square meter, yarn density, etc. Goods under this heading are mostly medium to lightweight fabrics, suitable for shirts, skirts, etc. First 2 digits 52: Chapter 52, representing cotton and cotton woven fabrics. Digits 3-4, 08: Heading 5208, referring to cotton woven fabrics containing 85% or more cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/m². Digits 5-6, 13: Subheading 520813, specifically 3-thread or 4-thread twill weave fabrics, i.e., using 3-thread or 4-thread twill weave, containing 85% or more cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/m². This product is 3-thread or 4-thread twill cotton fabric, containing 85% or more cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/m², which conforms to the description of subheading 520813. It is distinguished from 520812 (plain weave), 520819 (other 3-thread or 4-thread twill), 520821, etc. (bleached), because it is unbleached and has a twill weave, and is therefore classified under this code.
Chapter
Chapter 52 covers cotton and cotton woven fabrics, including raw cotton, cotton waste, carded cotton, cotton yarn, and cotton woven fabrics. This chapter is the core chapter for cotton textiles in the HS, involving the complete industrial chain from raw materials to finished products. Cotton woven fabrics are further subdivided based on weave type, weight, yarn structure, etc., and are widely used in apparel, home textiles, and other fields.
Heading
Heading 5208 includes cotton woven fabrics containing 85% or more cotton by weight, subdivided by weave type (plain weave, twill, etc.), weight per square meter, yarn density, etc. Goods under this heading are mostly medium to lightweight fabrics, suitable for shirts, skirts, etc.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 52: Chapter 52, representing cotton and cotton woven fabrics. Digits 3-4, 08: Heading 5208, referring to cotton woven fabrics containing 85% or more cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/m². Digits 5-6, 13: Subheading 520813, specifically 3-thread or 4-thread twill weave fabrics, i.e., using 3-thread or 4-thread twill weave, containing 85% or more cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/m².
Classification Basis
This product is 3-thread or 4-thread twill cotton fabric, containing 85% or more cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/m², which conforms to the description of subheading 520813. It is distinguished from 520812 (plain weave), 520819 (other 3-thread or 4-thread twill), 520821, etc. (bleached), because it is unbleached and has a twill weave, and is therefore classified under this code.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The standard name of the declared commodity, such as "cotton 3-thread twill fabric", which must be consistent with the contract and invoice. Weaving Method: State that it is woven, and specify the twill weave (3-thread or 4-thread). Composition Content: Cotton content percentage, which must be 85% or more; other fibers must be listed. Weight per Square Meter: Expressed in grams per square meter, must be not more than 200 g, accurate to the nearest whole number. Bleaching Status: Specify unbleached, bleached, dyed, etc. This code is usually unbleached. Yarn Fineness: Such as metric count or tex, which affects classification. Width: Fabric width, expressed in centimeters or inches. Brand or Manufacturer: If there is a brand, it must be declared; if no brand, "none" may be entered. Product name: Cotton 3-thread twill fabric; Weaving method: woven, 3-thread twill; Composition content: 100% cotton; Weight per square meter: 150 g/m²; Bleaching status: unbleached; Yarn fineness: 40 count; Width: 150 cm; Brand: none. Mistakenly declaring 4-thread twill fabric as 3-thread, resulting in an incorrect subheading. Confusing unbleached with bleached, leading to classification under different subheadings. Weight per square meter exceeding 200 g without classification under 5209.
Product Name
The standard name of the declared commodity, such as "cotton 3-thread twill fabric", which must be consistent with the contract and invoice.
⚠️ Only writing "cotton fabric" without specifying twill and thread count.
Weaving Method
State that it is woven, and specify the twill weave (3-thread or 4-thread).
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring it as plain weave or satin weave.
Composition Content
Cotton content percentage, which must be 85% or more; other fibers must be listed.
⚠️ Failing to specify the proportion of other fibers or cotton content being less than 85%.
Weight per Square Meter
Expressed in grams per square meter, must be not more than 200 g, accurate to the nearest whole number.
⚠️ Incorrect unit or weight exceeding the limit.
Bleaching Status
Specify unbleached, bleached, dyed, etc. This code is usually unbleached.
⚠️ Classifying bleached fabric under an unbleached code.
Yarn Fineness
Such as metric count or tex, which affects classification.
⚠️ Not provided or units confused.
Width
Fabric width, expressed in centimeters or inches.
⚠️ Not declared or units inconsistent.
Brand or Manufacturer
If there is a brand, it must be declared; if no brand, "none" may be entered.
Mistakenly declaring 4-thread twill fabric as 3-thread, resulting in an incorrect subheading.
Confusing unbleached with bleached, leading to classification under different subheadings.
Weight per square meter exceeding 200 g without classification under 5209.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1. Cotton content 85% or more; 2. Weight per square meter not more than 200 g; 3. Weave is 3-thread or 4-thread twill; 4. Bleaching status (unbleached). All these conditions must be met simultaneously to classify under 520813. If cotton content is less than 85%, classify under Chapter 55; if weight exceeds 200 g, classify under 5209; if plain weave, classify under 520812. 520812 Cotton plain weave fabric: Plain weave, not twill, with other conditions the same. 520819 Other cotton 3-thread or 4-thread twill fabric: May be bleached or dyed, or of a different weight. 520821 Bleached cotton plain weave fabric: Bleached and plain weave, weighing not more than 200 g. 520911 Unbleached cotton plain weave fabric: Weighing more than 200 g, classified under 5209. 521213 Cotton blended 3-thread or 4-thread twill fabric: Cotton content less than 85%, mainly blended with synthetic fibers. Is the cotton content 85% or more? Is the weight per square meter not more than 200 g? Is it a 3-thread or 4-thread twill weave? Is it unbleached? Is it woven?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1. Cotton content 85% or more; 2. Weight per square meter not more than 200 g; 3. Weave is 3-thread or 4-thread twill; 4. Bleaching status (unbleached). All these conditions must be met simultaneously to classify under 520813. If cotton content is less than 85%, classify under Chapter 55; if weight exceeds 200 g, classify under 5209; if plain weave, classify under 520812.
Confused Codes：
520812 - Cotton plain weave fabric
Plain weave, not twill, with other conditions the same.
520819 - Other cotton 3-thread or 4-thread twill fabric
May be bleached or dyed, or of a different weight.
520821 - Bleached cotton plain weave fabric
Bleached and plain weave, weighing not more than 200 g.
520911 - Unbleached cotton plain weave fabric
Weighing more than 200 g, classified under 5209.
521213 - Cotton blended 3-thread or 4-thread twill fabric
Cotton content less than 85%, mainly blended with synthetic fibers.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the cotton content 85% or more?
✓ Is the weight per square meter not more than 200 g?
✓ Is it a 3-thread or 4-thread twill weave?
✓ Is it unbleached?
✓ Is it woven?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the tariff rate for 520813? You can check through the General Administration of Customs website or the International Trade Single Window. Enter HS code 520813, select the destination country and country of origin, and the system will display the MFN rate, agreement rate, etc. Rates change, so it is advisable to refer to the latest announcement. What is the main difference between 520813 and 520812? 520812 is plain weave cotton fabric, while 520813 is twill cotton fabric. Twill fabric is softer to the touch and has a more obvious texture. When classifying, a fabric weave diagram or sample must be provided. If the cotton content is 84%, which code should it be classified under? Cotton blended fabric with cotton content less than 85% should be classified under heading 5212 of Chapter 52 or Chapter 55. The specific classification depends on the type and content of the blended fibers and must be determined according to the composition ratio. How should the weight per square meter be declared during customs declaration? Measured data must be provided, usually expressed in grams per square meter, accurate to the nearest whole number. It can be obtained through laboratory testing or production records, and must be consistent with the invoice and packing list at the time of declaration. Is there a difference in classification between 3-thread twill and 4-thread twill? Under subheading 520813, 3-thread and 4-thread twill are classified under the same code, with no difference. However, the specific thread count must be stated in the declaration elements for customs review. Which code should bleached cotton twill fabric be classified under? If bleached cotton twill fabric contains 85% or more cotton and weighs not more than 200 g/m², it should be classified under 520819 (other 3-thread or 4-thread twill fabric), not 520813 (unbleached). What is the export tax rebate rate for 520813? The export tax rebate rate is periodically adjusted by the State Taxation Administration. The latest information can be obtained through the State Taxation Administration website or by consulting the local tax bureau. Usually, the HS code and commodity name are required for inquiry. How can classification errors leading to customs clearance delays be avoided? It is recommended to prepare detailed product specifications, composition test reports, fabric weave diagrams, and other materials in advance, and to apply to customs for advance classification if necessary. Customs classification consulting services can also be used to ensure accurate coding.
Q: How can I check the tariff rate for 520813?
A: You can check through the General Administration of Customs website or the International Trade Single Window. Enter HS code 520813, select the destination country and country of origin, and the system will display the MFN rate, agreement rate, etc. Rates change, so it is advisable to refer to the latest announcement.
Q: What is the main difference between 520813 and 520812?
A: 520812 is plain weave cotton fabric, while 520813 is twill cotton fabric. Twill fabric is softer to the touch and has a more obvious texture. When classifying, a fabric weave diagram or sample must be provided.
Q: If the cotton content is 84%, which code should it be classified under?
A: Cotton blended fabric with cotton content less than 85% should be classified under heading 5212 of Chapter 52 or Chapter 55. The specific classification depends on the type and content of the blended fibers and must be determined according to the composition ratio.
Q: How should the weight per square meter be declared during customs declaration?
A: Measured data must be provided, usually expressed in grams per square meter, accurate to the nearest whole number. It can be obtained through laboratory testing or production records, and must be consistent with the invoice and packing list at the time of declaration.
Q: Is there a difference in classification between 3-thread twill and 4-thread twill?
A: Under subheading 520813, 3-thread and 4-thread twill are classified under the same code, with no difference. However, the specific thread count must be stated in the declaration elements for customs review.
Q: Which code should bleached cotton twill fabric be classified under?
A: If bleached cotton twill fabric contains 85% or more cotton and weighs not more than 200 g/m², it should be classified under 520819 (other 3-thread or 4-thread twill fabric), not 520813 (unbleached).
Q: What is the export tax rebate rate for 520813?
A: The export tax rebate rate is periodically adjusted by the State Taxation Administration. The latest information can be obtained through the State Taxation Administration website or by consulting the local tax bureau. Usually, the HS code and commodity name are required for inquiry.
Q: How can classification errors leading to customs clearance delays be avoided?
A: It is recommended to prepare detailed product specifications, composition test reports, fabric weave diagrams, and other materials in advance, and to apply to customs for advance classification if necessary. Customs classification consulting services can also be used to ensure accurate coding.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.