Chapter 52 covers cotton and cotton woven fabrics, including raw cotton, cotton waste, carded cotton, cotton yarn, and cotton woven fabrics. This chapter is an important chapter for textile raw materials and products, involving the complete industrial chain from cotton to cotton cloth. Cotton woven fabrics are further subdivided according to weave, weight, processing method, etc., and are widely used in clothing, home textiles, and other fields. Heading 5209 specifically covers cotton woven fabrics containing ≥85% cotton and weighing more than 200 g per square meter. These fabrics are heavy-duty cotton cloth, commonly found in denim, canvas, drill, etc., and are used to make workwear, denim clothing, bags, tents, and other durable products. Under this heading, they are further divided into subheadings according to weave (plain weave, twill, etc.) and weight. Code 520911 has 6 digits: the first 2 digits '52' represent Chapter 52 (cotton and cotton woven fabrics); digits 3-4 '09' represent heading 5209 (cotton woven fabrics containing ≥85% cotton, weighing >200 g/m²); digits 5-6 '11' represent subheading 5209.11, specifically plain weave fabrics. Therefore, 520911 is precisely described as: cotton plain weave fabrics containing ≥85% cotton and weighing more than 200 g per square meter. If the weight is ≤200 g, it is classified under 5208; if the cotton content is <85%, it is classified under 5210, etc. This product contains ≥85% cotton and weighs >200 g per square meter, meeting the basic conditions of heading 5209; at the same time, its weave is plain weave (warp and weft yarns interlace one over one under), so it is classified under subheading 520911. If it were twill, it would be classified under 520912; if it were another weave, it would be classified under 520919. The difference from 5208 lies in the weight, and the difference from 5210 lies in the cotton content.
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 an important chapter for textile raw materials and products, involving the complete industrial chain from cotton to cotton cloth. Cotton woven fabrics are further subdivided according to weave, weight, processing method, etc., and are widely used in clothing, home textiles, and other fields.
Heading
Heading 5209 specifically covers cotton woven fabrics containing ≥85% cotton and weighing more than 200 g per square meter. These fabrics are heavy-duty cotton cloth, commonly found in denim, canvas, drill, etc., and are used to make workwear, denim clothing, bags, tents, and other durable products. Under this heading, they are further divided into subheadings according to weave (plain weave, twill, etc.) and weight.
Digit Breakdown
Code 520911 has 6 digits: the first 2 digits '52' represent Chapter 52 (cotton and cotton woven fabrics); digits 3-4 '09' represent heading 5209 (cotton woven fabrics containing ≥85% cotton, weighing >200 g/m²); digits 5-6 '11' represent subheading 5209.11, specifically plain weave fabrics. Therefore, 520911 is precisely described as: cotton plain weave fabrics containing ≥85% cotton and weighing more than 200 g per square meter. If the weight is ≤200 g, it is classified under 5208; if the cotton content is <85%, it is classified under 5210, etc.
Classification Basis
This product contains ≥85% cotton and weighs >200 g per square meter, meeting the basic conditions of heading 5209; at the same time, its weave is plain weave (warp and weft yarns interlace one over one under), so it is classified under subheading 520911. If it were twill, it would be classified under 520912; if it were another weave, it would be classified under 520919. The difference from 5208 lies in the weight, and the difference from 5210 lies in the cotton content.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: It should be described in detail as 'cotton plain weave fabric' or 'all-cotton plain cloth', avoiding general names such as 'cotton cloth'. Composition content: The cotton content percentage must be indicated, such as '100% cotton' or 'more than 85% cotton', and other fiber components must also be stated. Weight per square meter: Declare the weight, in g/m², which must be greater than 200 g, such as '250 g/m²'. Weave: Clearly state 'plain weave', and additional description such as '1/1 plain weave' may be added. Width: Declare the fabric width, in centimeters, such as '150 cm'. Processing and finishing method: State whether it has been bleached, dyed, printed, etc., such as 'unbleached' or 'dyed'. Brand or manufacturer: If there is a brand, it must be declared; if there is no brand, 'none' may be entered. Product name: cotton plain weave fabric; Composition content: 100% cotton; Weight per square meter: 250 g/m²; Weave: plain weave; Width: 150 cm; Processing and finishing: dyed; Brand: none. Inaccurate weight declaration, mistakenly reporting below 200 g as above 200 g, resulting in incorrect classification. Incorrect description of weave, reporting plain weave as twill, affecting the distinction between subheadings 520911 and 520912. Cotton content not accurately declared, such as actually containing 80% cotton but declared as more than 85%, which may result in classification under 5210.
Product name
It should be described in detail as 'cotton plain weave fabric' or 'all-cotton plain cloth', avoiding general names such as 'cotton cloth'.
⚠️ Only writing 'cotton cloth' or 'fabric', without indicating the weave and composition.
Composition content
The cotton content percentage must be indicated, such as '100% cotton' or 'more than 85% cotton', and other fiber components must also be stated.
⚠️ Only writing 'pure cotton' without specifying the exact percentage, or ignoring other blended components.
Weight per square meter
Declare the weight, in g/m², which must be greater than 200 g, such as '250 g/m²'.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring it as 200 g or less, resulting in incorrect classification under 5208.
Weave
Clearly state 'plain weave', and additional description such as '1/1 plain weave' may be added.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring plain weave as twill or satin, affecting subheading classification.
Width
Declare the fabric width, in centimeters, such as '150 cm'.
⚠️ Failure to declare the width, or incorrect units (such as mistakenly using inches).
Processing and finishing method
State whether it has been bleached, dyed, printed, etc., such as 'unbleached' or 'dyed'.
⚠️ Omitting the processing status, making it impossible to determine the specific subheading.
Brand or manufacturer
If there is a brand, it must be declared; if there is no brand, 'none' may be entered.
⚠️ The brand does not match the goods, or the brand is not declared.
Inaccurate weight declaration, mistakenly reporting below 200 g as above 200 g, resulting in incorrect classification.
Incorrect description of weave, reporting plain weave as twill, affecting the distinction between subheadings 520911 and 520912.
Cotton content not accurately declared, such as actually containing 80% cotton but declared as more than 85%, which may result in classification under 5210.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) cotton content ≥85%; 2) weight per square meter >200 g; 3) weave is plain weave. Only when all three conditions are met simultaneously is it classified under 520911. If the cotton content is <85%, it is classified under 5210; if the weight is ≤200 g, it is classified under 5208; if the weave is not plain weave, it is classified under 520912 or 520919. 520912 Cotton twill weave fabrics: The weave is twill (such as 2/1, 3/1), while 520911 is plain weave. Twill fabrics have a diagonal texture and a softer hand feel. 520919 Other cotton woven fabrics: The weave is other than plain weave and twill (such as satin), while 520911 specifically refers to plain weave. 520811 Cotton plain weave fabrics, containing ≥85% cotton, weighing ≤200 g/m²: The weight is ≤200 g, while 520911 weighs >200 g. Both have the same weave and differ only in weight. 521011 Cotton plain weave fabrics, containing <85% cotton, mainly or solely blended with man-made fibers, weighing >200 g/m²: The cotton content is <85%, while 520911 contains ≥85% cotton. Is the cotton content ≥85%? Is the weight per square meter >200 g? Is the weave plain weave? Has it been bleached, dyed, or otherwise processed? Are the width and brand fully declared?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) cotton content ≥85%; 2) weight per square meter >200 g; 3) weave is plain weave. Only when all three conditions are met simultaneously is it classified under 520911. If the cotton content is <85%, it is classified under 5210; if the weight is ≤200 g, it is classified under 5208; if the weave is not plain weave, it is classified under 520912 or 520919.
Confused Codes：
520912 - Cotton twill weave fabrics
The weave is twill (such as 2/1, 3/1), while 520911 is plain weave. Twill fabrics have a diagonal texture and a softer hand feel.
520919 - Other cotton woven fabrics
The weave is other than plain weave and twill (such as satin), while 520911 specifically refers to plain weave.
The weight is ≤200 g, while 520911 weighs >200 g. Both have the same weave and differ only in weight.
521011 - Cotton plain weave fabrics, containing <85% cotton, mainly or solely blended with man-made fibers, weighing >200 g/m²
The cotton content is <85%, while 520911 contains ≥85% cotton.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the cotton content ≥85%?
✓ Is the weight per square meter >200 g?
✓ Is the weave plain weave?
✓ Has it been bleached, dyed, or otherwise processed?
✓ Are the width and brand fully declared?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the import tariff rate for 520911? You can check the most-favored-nation tariff rate, general tariff rate, value-added tax rate, etc. by entering HS code 520911 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff query tools. Note that tariff rates may change due to free trade agreements or policy adjustments, and the latest official data should prevail. What is the difference between 520911 and 520811? Both are cotton plain weave fabrics containing ≥85% cotton. The difference lies in the weight: 520911 requires weight per square meter >200 g, while 520811 requires ≤200 g. When declaring, the weight must be measured accurately to avoid classification errors. If cotton cloth contains 90% cotton, weighs 210 g, but the weave is twill, which code should it be classified under? It should be classified under 520912 (cotton twill weave fabrics, containing ≥85% cotton, weighing >200 g/m²). 520911 applies only to plain weave fabrics; twill fabrics cannot be classified under 520911 even if other conditions are the same. When declaring 520911, how should the processing and finishing method be filled in? It should be filled in according to the actual processing situation, such as 'unbleached', 'bleached', 'dyed', 'printed', etc. The processing method does not affect the classification of 520911, but it may affect the tariff rate and regulatory conditions, so it must be declared truthfully. What products can 520911 fabric be used for? It is commonly used for denim, canvas, workwear, bags, tents, shoe materials, and other heavy-duty durable products. Because of its high weight and good abrasion resistance, it is suitable for making items that require strength. If cotton cloth contains 85% cotton and weighs 250 g, but is blended with 5% polyester, which code should it be classified under? With 85% cotton and 15% polyester, it still meets the condition of containing ≥85% cotton. If it is plain weave and weighs >200 g, it is classified under 520911. However, if the cotton content is less than 85%, it is classified under 5210. What documents are required for 520911 during customs declaration? Basic documents such as contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and certificate of origin are usually required. If tariff preferences are involved, the corresponding certificate of origin must be provided. In addition, according to customs requirements, composition test reports, etc. may be required. How can plain weave and twill weave fabrics be distinguished? Plain weave fabrics have warp and weft yarns interlacing one over one under, with a flat surface and a grid-like texture; twill weave fabrics have continuous interlacing points of warp and weft yarns, with a diagonal texture. They can be judged by observation with a magnifying glass or by hand feel, and fabric analysis can be done if necessary.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 520911?
A: You can check the most-favored-nation tariff rate, general tariff rate, value-added tax rate, etc. by entering HS code 520911 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff query tools. Note that tariff rates may change due to free trade agreements or policy adjustments, and the latest official data should prevail.
Q: What is the difference between 520911 and 520811?
A: Both are cotton plain weave fabrics containing ≥85% cotton. The difference lies in the weight: 520911 requires weight per square meter >200 g, while 520811 requires ≤200 g. When declaring, the weight must be measured accurately to avoid classification errors.
Q: If cotton cloth contains 90% cotton, weighs 210 g, but the weave is twill, which code should it be classified under?
A: It should be classified under 520912 (cotton twill weave fabrics, containing ≥85% cotton, weighing >200 g/m²). 520911 applies only to plain weave fabrics; twill fabrics cannot be classified under 520911 even if other conditions are the same.
Q: When declaring 520911, how should the processing and finishing method be filled in?
A: It should be filled in according to the actual processing situation, such as 'unbleached', 'bleached', 'dyed', 'printed', etc. The processing method does not affect the classification of 520911, but it may affect the tariff rate and regulatory conditions, so it must be declared truthfully.
Q: What products can 520911 fabric be used for?
A: It is commonly used for denim, canvas, workwear, bags, tents, shoe materials, and other heavy-duty durable products. Because of its high weight and good abrasion resistance, it is suitable for making items that require strength.
Q: If cotton cloth contains 85% cotton and weighs 250 g, but is blended with 5% polyester, which code should it be classified under?
A: With 85% cotton and 15% polyester, it still meets the condition of containing ≥85% cotton. If it is plain weave and weighs >200 g, it is classified under 520911. However, if the cotton content is less than 85%, it is classified under 5210.
Q: What documents are required for 520911 during customs declaration?
A: Basic documents such as contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and certificate of origin are usually required. If tariff preferences are involved, the corresponding certificate of origin must be provided. In addition, according to customs requirements, composition test reports, etc. may be required.
Q: How can plain weave and twill weave fabrics be distinguished?
A: Plain weave fabrics have warp and weft yarns interlacing one over one under, with a flat surface and a grid-like texture; twill weave fabrics have continuous interlacing points of warp and weft yarns, with a diagonal texture. They can be judged by observation with a magnifying glass or by hand feel, and fabric analysis can be done if necessary.
⚠️ 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.