Chapter 52 covers cotton and cotton textiles, including raw cotton, cotton waste, cotton carded or combed, cotton yarn, and cotton woven fabrics. This chapter is an important chapter for textile raw materials and products, involving the complete industrial chain from raw materials to finished products. Cotton fabrics are further subdivided based on cotton content, blended composition, processing techniques (bleaching, dyeing, printing, etc.), and weight per square meter. Goods under this chapter are traded in large volumes and across a wide range in international trade, and classification requires close attention to cotton content, blend ratio, and fabric structure. Heading 5210 covers cotton woven fabrics containing less than 85% cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres. Such fabrics are usually plain weave, weighing not more than 200 g/m². Under this heading, they are further subdivided by processing technique (bleaching, dyeing, printing, etc.) and by the type of blended fibre. Bleached plain weave cotton fabric is a common variety, widely used in shirts, home textiles, and other fields. Classification requires confirmation of cotton content, type of blended fibre, and weight. The first 2 digits, 52, represent Chapter 52, cotton and cotton textiles, covering cotton fibres, yarn, and woven fabrics. Digits 3-4, 10, represent heading 5210, referring to cotton woven fabrics containing <85% cotton and mixed mainly with man-made fibres. Digits 5-6, 21, are the subheading, specifically referring to bleached plain weave fabric, weighing not more than 200 g/m². The 5th digit, 2, indicates bleached, and the 6th digit, 1, indicates plain weave and weight ≤200 g. Classification requires confirming the chapter, heading, and subheading levels in sequence to ensure conformity with the descriptions at each level. This product contains <85% cotton, is blended with man-made fibres, and is bleached plain weave fabric weighing ≤200 g, fully conforming to the description of 5210.21. Adjacent codes such as 5210.11 (unbleached plain weave) and 5210.31 (dyed plain weave) are excluded due to different processing techniques. If cotton content is ≥85%, it should be classified under 5208; if blended with man-made fibres but weighing >200 g, it should be classified under 5211. Therefore, based on the comprehensive determination of cotton content, blend composition, processing technique, and weight, it is classified under this code.
Chapter
Chapter 52 covers cotton and cotton textiles, including raw cotton, cotton waste, cotton carded or combed, cotton yarn, and cotton woven fabrics. This chapter is an important chapter for textile raw materials and products, involving the complete industrial chain from raw materials to finished products. Cotton fabrics are further subdivided based on cotton content, blended composition, processing techniques (bleaching, dyeing, printing, etc.), and weight per square meter. Goods under this chapter are traded in large volumes and across a wide range in international trade, and classification requires close attention to cotton content, blend ratio, and fabric structure.
Heading
Heading 5210 covers cotton woven fabrics containing less than 85% cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres. Such fabrics are usually plain weave, weighing not more than 200 g/m². Under this heading, they are further subdivided by processing technique (bleaching, dyeing, printing, etc.) and by the type of blended fibre. Bleached plain weave cotton fabric is a common variety, widely used in shirts, home textiles, and other fields. Classification requires confirmation of cotton content, type of blended fibre, and weight.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits, 52, represent Chapter 52, cotton and cotton textiles, covering cotton fibres, yarn, and woven fabrics. Digits 3-4, 10, represent heading 5210, referring to cotton woven fabrics containing <85% cotton and mixed mainly with man-made fibres. Digits 5-6, 21, are the subheading, specifically referring to bleached plain weave fabric, weighing not more than 200 g/m². The 5th digit, 2, indicates bleached, and the 6th digit, 1, indicates plain weave and weight ≤200 g. Classification requires confirming the chapter, heading, and subheading levels in sequence to ensure conformity with the descriptions at each level.
Classification Basis
This product contains <85% cotton, is blended with man-made fibres, and is bleached plain weave fabric weighing ≤200 g, fully conforming to the description of 5210.21. Adjacent codes such as 5210.11 (unbleached plain weave) and 5210.31 (dyed plain weave) are excluded due to different processing techniques. If cotton content is ≥85%, it should be classified under 5208; if blended with man-made fibres but weighing >200 g, it should be classified under 5211. Therefore, based on the comprehensive determination of cotton content, blend composition, processing technique, and weight, it is classified under this code.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Fill in the standard name of the product, such as "bleached plain weave cotton fabric", which must be consistent with the code description. Composition Content: State the specific percentages of cotton and man-made fibres, such as "cotton 60%, polyester 40%". Weight: Fill in the weight per square meter, in g/m², which must be ≤200 g. Weaving Method: State the fabric weave, such as "plain weave". Processing Technique: State "bleached", distinguishing it from unbleached, dyed, printed, etc. Width: Fill in the fabric width, in centimetres. Weight per Square Meter: Accurate to the nearest whole number, ensuring ≤200 g. Product Name: Bleached plain weave cotton fabric; Composition Content: Cotton 65%, Polyester 35%; Weight: 120 g/m²; Weaving Method: Plain weave; Processing Technique: Bleached; Width: 150 cm; Weight per Square Meter: 120 g/m²; Brand: None; Model: None. Incorrectly reporting cotton content as ≥85%, leading to incorrect classification under other headings of Chapter 52. Failing to specify the exact type of blended man-made fibre, such as polyester, nylon, etc. Using ounces per square yard as the weight unit without converting to grams per square meter.
Product Name
Fill in the standard name of the product, such as "bleached plain weave cotton fabric", which must be consistent with the code description.
⚠️ Writing only "cotton cloth" or "bleached cloth" without reflecting plain weave and blending.
Composition Content
State the specific percentages of cotton and man-made fibres, such as "cotton 60%, polyester 40%".
⚠️ Writing only "cotton-polyester blend" without providing specific proportions.
Weight
Fill in the weight per square meter, in g/m², which must be ≤200 g.
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in weight per meter or ounces per square yard.
Weaving Method
State the fabric weave, such as "plain weave".
⚠️ Confusing with twill or satin weave, or failing to specify.
Processing Technique
State "bleached", distinguishing it from unbleached, dyed, printed, etc.
⚠️ Confusing bleaching with dyeing, or failing to specify.
Width
Fill in the fabric width, in centimetres.
⚠️ Failing to provide width or using incorrect units.
Weight per Square Meter
Accurate to the nearest whole number, ensuring ≤200 g.
Incorrectly reporting cotton content as ≥85%, leading to incorrect classification under other headings of Chapter 52.
Failing to specify the exact type of blended man-made fibre, such as polyester, nylon, etc.
Using ounces per square yard as the weight unit without converting to grams per square meter.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) cotton content <85%; 2) mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres; 3) bleached; 4) plain weave; 5) weight per square meter ≤200 g. All these conditions must be met simultaneously to be classified under 5210.21. If cotton content is ≥85%, it is classified under 5208; if blended with man-made fibres but weighing >200 g, it is classified under 5211; if the processing technique is unbleached, dyed, printed, etc., it is classified under other subheadings of 5210. 5208.21 Bleached plain weave cotton fabric, containing ≥85% cotton, weighing ≤200 g: Cotton content differs; 5208 requires cotton ≥85%, while 5210 requires cotton <85% and blended with man-made fibres. 5210.11 Unbleached plain weave cotton fabric, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing ≤200 g: Processing technique differs; 5210.11 is unbleached, while 5210.21 is bleached. 5210.31 Dyed plain weave cotton fabric, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing ≤200 g: Processing technique differs; 5210.31 is dyed, while 5210.21 is bleached. 5211.21 Bleached plain weave cotton fabric, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing >200 g: Weight differs; 5211.21 weighs >200 g, while 5210.21 weighs ≤200 g. Is the cotton content indeed <85%? Is it mixed mainly with man-made fibres? Is the processing technique bleaching? Is the fabric weave plain weave? Is the weight per square meter ≤200 g?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) cotton content <85%; 2) mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres; 3) bleached; 4) plain weave; 5) weight per square meter ≤200 g. All these conditions must be met simultaneously to be classified under 5210.21. If cotton content is ≥85%, it is classified under 5208; if blended with man-made fibres but weighing >200 g, it is classified under 5211; if the processing technique is unbleached, dyed, printed, etc., it is classified under other subheadings of 5210.
Cotton content differs; 5208 requires cotton ≥85%, while 5210 requires cotton <85% and blended with man-made fibres.
5210.11 - Unbleached plain weave cotton fabric, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing ≤200 g
Processing technique differs; 5210.11 is unbleached, while 5210.21 is bleached.
5210.31 - Dyed plain weave cotton fabric, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing ≤200 g
Processing technique differs; 5210.31 is dyed, while 5210.21 is bleached.
5211.21 - Bleached plain weave cotton fabric, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing >200 g
Weight differs; 5211.21 weighs >200 g, while 5210.21 weighs ≤200 g.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the cotton content indeed <85%?
✓ Is it mixed mainly with man-made fibres?
✓ Is the processing technique bleaching?
✓ Is the fabric weave plain weave?
✓ Is the weight per square meter ≤200 g?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the import tariff rate for 5210.21? You can check the latest tariff rate by entering HS code 521021 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or third-party query platforms. Note that tariff rates may vary by country, trade agreement, and time, and the latest official publication should prevail. If the cotton content is exactly 85%, which code should it be classified under? If the cotton content is 85%, it does not meet the condition of 5210 for "containing <85% cotton" and should be classified under other headings of Chapter 52, such as 5208 (woven fabrics containing ≥85% cotton). Classification requires precise testing of composition to avoid errors. How are bleached and unbleached distinguished? Bleached fabric undergoes chemical treatment to remove natural pigments and is white in colour; unbleached fabric retains its natural colour, appearing cream or light yellow. When declaring, proof of processing technique, such as bleaching process records, must be provided. If the weight exceeds 200 g but other conditions are met, where should it be classified? If the weight is >200 g, even if cotton content is <85%, blended with man-made fibres, and bleached plain weave, it should be classified under 5211.21 (bleached plain weave, weighing >200 g). Weight is a key indicator in classification. Do blended man-made fibres include regenerated fibres? According to HS notes, man-made fibres include synthetic fibres and artificial fibres (regenerated fibres). Therefore, blending with regenerated fibres such as viscose and acetate also meets the conditions of 5210. However, note that if blended with natural fibres other than cotton, it may be classified under other headings. Is a test report required for declaration? It is recommended to provide a test report issued by an authoritative institution to prove cotton content, type of man-made fibre, weight, fabric weave, etc. Customs may require sampling inspection, and a test report helps expedite customs clearance. What is the difference between 5210.21 and 5210.22? 5210.21 is bleached plain weave fabric, and 5210.22 is bleached twill weave fabric (including cross twill). The difference lies in the fabric weave; plain weave and twill weave are woven differently, and the weave must be clearly identified during classification. How should this product be declared for cross-border e-commerce retail export? Cross-border e-commerce exports require declaration of HS code, product name, composition, weight, and other elements in accordance with customs requirements. Declaration can be made through the cross-border e-commerce customs clearance service platform. Note that the regulatory methods for personal items and goods differ, and it is advisable to consult a professional customs broker.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 5210.21?
A: You can check the latest tariff rate by entering HS code 521021 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or third-party query platforms. Note that tariff rates may vary by country, trade agreement, and time, and the latest official publication should prevail.
Q: If the cotton content is exactly 85%, which code should it be classified under?
A: If the cotton content is 85%, it does not meet the condition of 5210 for "containing <85% cotton" and should be classified under other headings of Chapter 52, such as 5208 (woven fabrics containing ≥85% cotton). Classification requires precise testing of composition to avoid errors.
Q: How are bleached and unbleached distinguished?
A: Bleached fabric undergoes chemical treatment to remove natural pigments and is white in colour; unbleached fabric retains its natural colour, appearing cream or light yellow. When declaring, proof of processing technique, such as bleaching process records, must be provided.
Q: If the weight exceeds 200 g but other conditions are met, where should it be classified?
A: If the weight is >200 g, even if cotton content is <85%, blended with man-made fibres, and bleached plain weave, it should be classified under 5211.21 (bleached plain weave, weighing >200 g). Weight is a key indicator in classification.
Q: Do blended man-made fibres include regenerated fibres?
A: According to HS notes, man-made fibres include synthetic fibres and artificial fibres (regenerated fibres). Therefore, blending with regenerated fibres such as viscose and acetate also meets the conditions of 5210. However, note that if blended with natural fibres other than cotton, it may be classified under other headings.
Q: Is a test report required for declaration?
A: It is recommended to provide a test report issued by an authoritative institution to prove cotton content, type of man-made fibre, weight, fabric weave, etc. Customs may require sampling inspection, and a test report helps expedite customs clearance.
Q: What is the difference between 5210.21 and 5210.22?
A: 5210.21 is bleached plain weave fabric, and 5210.22 is bleached twill weave fabric (including cross twill). The difference lies in the fabric weave; plain weave and twill weave are woven differently, and the weave must be clearly identified during classification.
Q: How should this product be declared for cross-border e-commerce retail export?
A: Cross-border e-commerce exports require declaration of HS code, product name, composition, weight, and other elements in accordance with customs requirements. Declaration can be made through the cross-border e-commerce customs clearance service platform. Note that the regulatory methods for personal items and goods differ, and it is advisable to consult a professional customs broker.
⚠️ 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.