Chapter 52 covers cotton and woven fabrics of cotton, including raw cotton, cotton waste, carded cotton, cotton yarn, and woven fabrics of cotton. This chapter is a core chapter in the classification of textile raw materials and products, involving the complete industrial chain from cotton to finished fabric. Heading 5211 is located in the latter part of this chapter and specifically addresses blended woven fabrics with a cotton content of less than 85%, reflecting the HS principle of classifying blended products according to the predominant fiber component. Heading 5211 covers woven fabrics of cotton with a cotton content of less than 85%, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers, and weighing more than 200 g/m². This heading is further subdivided by weave structure (plain weave, twill weave, satin weave, etc.) and weight. Twill weave, due to its distinct texture and substantial hand feel, is commonly used for workwear, casual wear, and home textile fabrics. For classification, both the cotton content and weight criteria must be met simultaneously. First 2 digits 52: indicates Chapter 52, i.e., cotton and woven fabrics of cotton, covering raw cotton, cotton yarn, cotton fabric, etc. Digits 3-4, 11: indicates heading 5211, referring to woven fabrics of cotton with a cotton content of <85%, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers, and weighing >200 g/m². Digits 5-6, 12: indicates subheading 521112, further limited to twill weave fabrics, distinguished from plain weave (521111), satin weave (521113), and other weave structures. Twill weave is characterized by interlacing points of warp and weft yarns forming continuous diagonal lines, with a relatively soft hand feel and good abrasion resistance. This product is classified under 521112 rather than 521111 or 521113 because the key factor is that the fabric weave is twill. At the same time, a cotton content of <85% excludes 5209 (cotton fabric with ≥85% cotton), and a weight of >200 g/m² excludes 5210 (blended cotton fabric weighing ≤200 g/m²). When blended with man-made fibers and cotton is a secondary component, attention should be paid to whether it should be classified under 5514 or other headings for woven fabrics of man-made fibers; however, if cotton remains the largest single component, it is classified under 5211.
Chapter
Chapter 52 covers cotton and woven fabrics of cotton, including raw cotton, cotton waste, carded cotton, cotton yarn, and woven fabrics of cotton. This chapter is a core chapter in the classification of textile raw materials and products, involving the complete industrial chain from cotton to finished fabric. Heading 5211 is located in the latter part of this chapter and specifically addresses blended woven fabrics with a cotton content of less than 85%, reflecting the HS principle of classifying blended products according to the predominant fiber component.
Heading
Heading 5211 covers woven fabrics of cotton with a cotton content of less than 85%, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers, and weighing more than 200 g/m². This heading is further subdivided by weave structure (plain weave, twill weave, satin weave, etc.) and weight. Twill weave, due to its distinct texture and substantial hand feel, is commonly used for workwear, casual wear, and home textile fabrics. For classification, both the cotton content and weight criteria must be met simultaneously.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 52: indicates Chapter 52, i.e., cotton and woven fabrics of cotton, covering raw cotton, cotton yarn, cotton fabric, etc. Digits 3-4, 11: indicates heading 5211, referring to woven fabrics of cotton with a cotton content of <85%, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers, and weighing >200 g/m². Digits 5-6, 12: indicates subheading 521112, further limited to twill weave fabrics, distinguished from plain weave (521111), satin weave (521113), and other weave structures. Twill weave is characterized by interlacing points of warp and weft yarns forming continuous diagonal lines, with a relatively soft hand feel and good abrasion resistance.
Classification Basis
This product is classified under 521112 rather than 521111 or 521113 because the key factor is that the fabric weave is twill. At the same time, a cotton content of <85% excludes 5209 (cotton fabric with ≥85% cotton), and a weight of >200 g/m² excludes 5210 (blended cotton fabric weighing ≤200 g/m²). When blended with man-made fibers and cotton is a secondary component, attention should be paid to whether it should be classified under 5514 or other headings for woven fabrics of man-made fibers; however, if cotton remains the largest single component, it is classified under 5211.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The standard name of the declared commodity, which should include key information such as material, weave, and blending composition, e.g., "cotton twill woven fabric." Composition and Content: Accurately declare the percentage of cotton and man-made fibers, e.g., cotton 60%, polyester 40%, which must be consistent with the test report. Weave: Clearly specify the fabric weave, such as twill, plain, satin, etc. For twill, specify the exact type such as 2/1, 3/1, etc. Weight per Square Meter: Declare the gram weight in g/m², which must be greater than 200 g/m², and provide test data. Width: Declare the fabric width in centimeters, which affects classification and customs valuation. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in "None." Processing Technique: State whether it is dyed, printed, yarn-dyed, etc., which affects subheading subdivision. Use: Briefly describe the main use, such as apparel, home textiles, industrial fabric, etc. Product Name: Cotton twill woven fabric; Composition and Content: Cotton 65%, Polyester 35%; Weave: 2/1 twill; Weight per Square Meter: 220 g/m²; Width: 150 cm; Brand: None; Processing Technique: Dyed; Use: Workwear fabric. Mistakenly classifying twill fabric with a cotton content of ≥85% under 521112, when it should actually be classified under 5209. Ignoring the weight criterion and incorrectly classifying blended twill fabric weighing ≤200 g/m² under 521112. Failing to accurately distinguish between twill and plain weave, resulting in incorrect subheading classification.
Product Name
The standard name of the declared commodity, which should include key information such as material, weave, and blending composition, e.g., "cotton twill woven fabric."
⚠️ Writing only "cotton fabric" or "twill fabric" without indicating the blending composition and content.
Composition and Content
Accurately declare the percentage of cotton and man-made fibers, e.g., cotton 60%, polyester 40%, which must be consistent with the test report.
⚠️ Vaguely writing "cotton-polyester blend" without listing the specific proportions.
Weave
Clearly specify the fabric weave, such as twill, plain, satin, etc. For twill, specify the exact type such as 2/1, 3/1, etc.
⚠️ Mistaking twill for plain weave, or failing to specify the exact specifications of the twill.
Weight per Square Meter
Declare the gram weight in g/m², which must be greater than 200 g/m², and provide test data.
⚠️ Using non-standard units such as "ounces," or failing to provide accurate gram weight.
Width
Declare the fabric width in centimeters, which affects classification and customs valuation.
⚠️ Failing to declare width or using incorrect units.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in "None."
⚠️ Neglecting brand declaration, leading to subsequent intellectual property issues.
Processing Technique
State whether it is dyed, printed, yarn-dyed, etc., which affects subheading subdivision.
⚠️ Failing to specify the processing technique, such as declaring yarn-dyed fabric as dyed fabric.
Use
Briefly describe the main use, such as apparel, home textiles, industrial fabric, etc.
⚠️ The use description is too broad, such as "used for making clothing."
Mistakenly classifying twill fabric with a cotton content of ≥85% under 521112, when it should actually be classified under 5209.
Ignoring the weight criterion and incorrectly classifying blended twill fabric weighing ≤200 g/m² under 521112.
Failing to accurately distinguish between twill and plain weave, resulting in incorrect subheading classification.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) cotton content less than 85%; 2) mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers; 3) weighing more than 200 g/m²; 4) fabric weave is twill. All of the above conditions must be met simultaneously for classification under 521112. If the cotton content is ≥85%, it should be classified under 5209; if the weight is ≤200 g/m², it should be classified under 5210; if blended with man-made fibers but cotton is not the predominant component, it may be classified under 5514. The determination of twill weave requires reference to the fabric texture and interlacing pattern. 5209 Woven fabrics of cotton, containing ≥85% cotton, weighing >200 g/m²: 5209 requires a cotton content of ≥85%, while 521112 requires a cotton content of <85%. If the cotton content is 85% or more, even if it is twill and weighs >200 g/m², it should be classified under 5209. 5210 Woven fabrics of cotton, containing <85% cotton, mixed with man-made fibers, weighing ≤200 g/m²: The difference between 5210 and 5211 lies in the weight: 5210 is ≤200 g/m², and 5211 is >200 g/m². If the gram weight is exactly 200 g/m², attention should be paid to whether it meets the "more than" threshold. 5514 Woven fabrics of man-made fibers, containing <85% cotton, mixed mainly with cotton: 5514 requires man-made fibers to be the predominant component, while 521112 requires cotton to be the predominant component (but <85%). If the man-made fiber content exceeds that of cotton, it should be classified under 5514. Other subheadings under 5211 Such as 521111 plain weave, 521113 satin weave, etc.: 521112 specifically refers to twill weave, while other subheadings correspond to different weaves. The determination of twill should be based on the fabric interlacing pattern to avoid confusion with plain or satin weave. Is the cotton content indeed less than 85%? Is it mixed mainly with man-made fibers? Does it weigh more than 200 g/m²? Is the fabric weave twill? Have adjacent codes such as 5209, 5210, and 5514 been excluded?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) cotton content less than 85%; 2) mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibers; 3) weighing more than 200 g/m²; 4) fabric weave is twill. All of the above conditions must be met simultaneously for classification under 521112. If the cotton content is ≥85%, it should be classified under 5209; if the weight is ≤200 g/m², it should be classified under 5210; if blended with man-made fibers but cotton is not the predominant component, it may be classified under 5514. The determination of twill weave requires reference to the fabric texture and interlacing pattern.
5209 requires a cotton content of ≥85%, while 521112 requires a cotton content of <85%. If the cotton content is 85% or more, even if it is twill and weighs >200 g/m², it should be classified under 5209.
5210 - Woven fabrics of cotton, containing <85% cotton, mixed with man-made fibers, weighing ≤200 g/m²
The difference between 5210 and 5211 lies in the weight: 5210 is ≤200 g/m², and 5211 is >200 g/m². If the gram weight is exactly 200 g/m², attention should be paid to whether it meets the "more than" threshold.
5514 - Woven fabrics of man-made fibers, containing <85% cotton, mixed mainly with cotton
5514 requires man-made fibers to be the predominant component, while 521112 requires cotton to be the predominant component (but <85%). If the man-made fiber content exceeds that of cotton, it should be classified under 5514.
Other subheadings under 5211 - Such as 521111 plain weave, 521113 satin weave, etc.
521112 specifically refers to twill weave, while other subheadings correspond to different weaves. The determination of twill should be based on the fabric interlacing pattern to avoid confusion with plain or satin weave.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the cotton content indeed less than 85%?
✓ Is it mixed mainly with man-made fibers?
✓ Does it weigh more than 200 g/m²?
✓ Is the fabric weave twill?
✓ Have adjacent codes such as 5209, 5210, and 5514 been excluded?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the import tariff rate for 521112? You can use the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or third-party query tools. Enter HS code 521112, select the corresponding country of origin and trade mode, and you can view the MFN rate, agreement rate, etc. Note that tariff rates are subject to policy adjustments, and it is recommended to use the latest data at the time of declaration. Under which code should twill fabric with a cotton content of exactly 85% be classified? If the cotton content is 85%, it meets the "containing ≥85% cotton" condition of 5209 and should be classified under the corresponding subheading of 5209, not 521112. 521112 requires the cotton content to be strictly less than 85%. How do you distinguish between twill and plain weave? Twill weave has continuous diagonal lines on the surface, with interlacing points of warp and weft yarns forming diagonal lines; plain weave has warp and weft yarns interlacing one up and one down, with a flat surface and no diagonal lines. This can be confirmed by observation with a magnifying glass or by a test report. If the blend composition is 50% cotton and 50% polyester, with a gram weight of 220 g/m² and twill weave, where should it be classified? The cotton content is <85%, and the cotton and polyester contents are equal. Classification is usually based on the predominant component. If cotton is the largest single component, it is classified under 521112; if it cannot be determined, reference should be made to customs classification decisions. It is recommended to provide a detailed test report. Can ounces be used as the unit of gram weight when declaring? No. Chinese customs declaration elements require the use of legal units of measurement, and gram weight should use "grams per square meter (g/m²)." If ounces are used, they must be converted before declaration to avoid rejection due to unit errors. Do different processing techniques (dyeing, printing) under 521112 affect classification? Processing techniques may affect subheading subdivision, but 521112 is already limited to twill weave. Dyeing, printing, etc. usually do not affect the heading level but may affect the subheading. For specifics, refer to the subheading notes, and it is recommended to indicate the technique when declaring. Can agreement rates be enjoyed when importing 521112 fabric from ASEAN? It is necessary to confirm whether the country of origin has signed a free trade agreement with China and whether the rules of origin are met. If so, the agreement rate can be applied for, but a certificate of origin must be provided. For specific rates and rules, please consult the latest agreement text. For classification, is the weight net weight or gross weight? The weight in HS classification refers to the gram weight of the fabric itself, i.e., weight per square meter, not the gross weight of the packaging. When declaring, the gram weight data from the test report should be provided to ensure accuracy.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 521112?
A: You can use the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or third-party query tools. Enter HS code 521112, select the corresponding country of origin and trade mode, and you can view the MFN rate, agreement rate, etc. Note that tariff rates are subject to policy adjustments, and it is recommended to use the latest data at the time of declaration.
Q: Under which code should twill fabric with a cotton content of exactly 85% be classified?
A: If the cotton content is 85%, it meets the "containing ≥85% cotton" condition of 5209 and should be classified under the corresponding subheading of 5209, not 521112. 521112 requires the cotton content to be strictly less than 85%.
Q: How do you distinguish between twill and plain weave?
A: Twill weave has continuous diagonal lines on the surface, with interlacing points of warp and weft yarns forming diagonal lines; plain weave has warp and weft yarns interlacing one up and one down, with a flat surface and no diagonal lines. This can be confirmed by observation with a magnifying glass or by a test report.
Q: If the blend composition is 50% cotton and 50% polyester, with a gram weight of 220 g/m² and twill weave, where should it be classified?
A: The cotton content is <85%, and the cotton and polyester contents are equal. Classification is usually based on the predominant component. If cotton is the largest single component, it is classified under 521112; if it cannot be determined, reference should be made to customs classification decisions. It is recommended to provide a detailed test report.
Q: Can ounces be used as the unit of gram weight when declaring?
A: No. Chinese customs declaration elements require the use of legal units of measurement, and gram weight should use "grams per square meter (g/m²)." If ounces are used, they must be converted before declaration to avoid rejection due to unit errors.
Q: Do different processing techniques (dyeing, printing) under 521112 affect classification?
A: Processing techniques may affect subheading subdivision, but 521112 is already limited to twill weave. Dyeing, printing, etc. usually do not affect the heading level but may affect the subheading. For specifics, refer to the subheading notes, and it is recommended to indicate the technique when declaring.
Q: Can agreement rates be enjoyed when importing 521112 fabric from ASEAN?
A: It is necessary to confirm whether the country of origin has signed a free trade agreement with China and whether the rules of origin are met. If so, the agreement rate can be applied for, but a certificate of origin must be provided. For specific rates and rules, please consult the latest agreement text.
Q: For classification, is the weight net weight or gross weight?
A: The weight in HS classification refers to the gram weight of the fabric itself, i.e., weight per square meter, not the gross weight of the packaging. When declaring, the gram weight data from the test report should be provided to ensure accuracy.
⚠️ 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.