Chapter 52 covers cotton and cotton textiles, including cotton, not carded or combed, cotton yarn, cotton woven fabrics, etc. This chapter is a core chapter in textile classification, involving the complete industrial chain from raw materials to finished products. Cotton fabrics are further subdivided based on blending ratio, processing technology, fabric structure, etc., and are an important category of textiles in international trade. Heading 5211 covers cotton woven fabrics, containing less than 85% cotton, mainly or solely blended with man-made fibres, and weighing more than 200 g/m². Fabrics under this heading are typically bleached, unbleached, or dyed, etc., but the key criteria are the blending ratio and weight standard. Its subheadings are further divided based on processing technology and blending materials. Code 521121 is a six-digit subheading: the first 2 digits 52 represent Chapter 52 (cotton and cotton textiles); digits 3-4, 11, represent heading 5211 (cotton woven fabrics, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing >200 g/m²); digits 5-6, 21, represent the subheading, specifically referring to bleached plain weave fabrics. Among these, the 5th digit 2 indicates bleached, and the 6th digit 1 indicates plain weave. The overall meaning is: bleached cotton plain weave fabric, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing >200 g/m². This commodity contains less than 85% cotton, is blended with man-made fibres, and weighs more than 200 g/m², meeting the description of heading 5211. It has also been bleached and has a plain weave structure, so it is classified under subheading 521121. If the cotton content is ≥85%, it should be classified under heading 5208; if the weight is ≤200 g/m², it should be classified under heading 5210; if it has a different structure such as twill, it would be classified under a different subheading.
Chapter
Chapter 52 covers cotton and cotton textiles, including cotton, not carded or combed, cotton yarn, cotton woven fabrics, etc. This chapter is a core chapter in textile classification, involving the complete industrial chain from raw materials to finished products. Cotton fabrics are further subdivided based on blending ratio, processing technology, fabric structure, etc., and are an important category of textiles in international trade.
Heading
Heading 5211 covers cotton woven fabrics, containing less than 85% cotton, mainly or solely blended with man-made fibres, and weighing more than 200 g/m². Fabrics under this heading are typically bleached, unbleached, or dyed, etc., but the key criteria are the blending ratio and weight standard. Its subheadings are further divided based on processing technology and blending materials.
Digit Breakdown
Code 521121 is a six-digit subheading: the first 2 digits 52 represent Chapter 52 (cotton and cotton textiles); digits 3-4, 11, represent heading 5211 (cotton woven fabrics, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing >200 g/m²); digits 5-6, 21, represent the subheading, specifically referring to bleached plain weave fabrics. Among these, the 5th digit 2 indicates bleached, and the 6th digit 1 indicates plain weave. The overall meaning is: bleached cotton plain weave fabric, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing >200 g/m².
Classification Basis
This commodity contains less than 85% cotton, is blended with man-made fibres, and weighs more than 200 g/m², meeting the description of heading 5211. It has also been bleached and has a plain weave structure, so it is classified under subheading 521121. If the cotton content is ≥85%, it should be classified under heading 5208; if the weight is ≤200 g/m², it should be classified under heading 5210; if it has a different structure such as twill, it would be classified under a different subheading.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The Chinese and English names of the declared commodity should accurately describe the fabric characteristics, such as bleached cotton plain weave fabric. Composition and Content: Clearly state the blending ratio of cotton and man-made fibres, such as 60% cotton and 40% polyester, and provide a test report. Weight per Square Meter: Declare the weight in grams per square meter, which must be greater than 200 g, and provide measured data. Processing Technology: Explain the bleaching treatment, such as being bleached, mercerized, etc., to distinguish it from unbleached or dyed. Weave Structure: Indicate plain weave structure, such as warp and weft yarns interlacing one over one under. Brand and Model: If there is a brand or model, it must be declared; if there is no brand, fill in "None". Use: Explain the use of the fabric, such as apparel, home textiles, etc. Product Name: Bleached cotton plain weave fabric; Composition and Content: 60% cotton, 40% polyester; Weight per Square Meter: 220 g/m²; Processing Technology: Bleached; Weave Structure: Plain weave; Brand and Model: None; Use: Used for making shirts. Incorrectly classifying fabric with cotton content ≥85% under this code, when it should actually be classified under 5208. Ignoring the weight per square meter standard and incorrectly classifying fabric ≤200 g under 5211. Failure to accurately declare the type of man-made fibre, leading to classification disputes.
Product Name
The Chinese and English names of the declared commodity should accurately describe the fabric characteristics, such as bleached cotton plain weave fabric.
⚠️ Writing only "cotton fabric" is too general and fails to reflect key information such as bleaching and plain weave.
Composition and Content
Clearly state the blending ratio of cotton and man-made fibres, such as 60% cotton and 40% polyester, and provide a test report.
⚠️ Failure to specify the exact type of man-made fibre, or inaccurate ratio.
Weight per Square Meter
Declare the weight in grams per square meter, which must be greater than 200 g, and provide measured data.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring it as below 200 g, leading to classification errors.
Processing Technology
Explain the bleaching treatment, such as being bleached, mercerized, etc., to distinguish it from unbleached or dyed.
⚠️ Confusing bleaching with whitening, or failing to indicate the bleaching process.
Weave Structure
Indicate plain weave structure, such as warp and weft yarns interlacing one over one under.
⚠️ Confusing plain weave with twill or satin weave.
Brand and Model
If there is a brand or model, it must be declared; if there is no brand, fill in "None".
⚠️ Omitting brand information, or filling in "None" when there is actually a brand.
Use
Explain the use of the fabric, such as apparel, home textiles, etc.
⚠️ The use description is too broad, such as "used for making clothing".
Example： Product Name: Bleached cotton plain weave fabric; Composition and Content: 60% cotton, 40% polyester; Weight per Square Meter: 220 g/m²; Processing Technology: Bleached; Weave Structure: Plain weave; Brand and Model: None; Use: Used for making shirts.
Common Mistakes：
Incorrectly classifying fabric with cotton content ≥85% under this code, when it should actually be classified under 5208.
Ignoring the weight per square meter standard and incorrectly classifying fabric ≤200 g under 5211.
Failure to accurately declare the type of man-made fibre, leading to classification disputes.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) cotton content less than 85%; 2) mainly blended with man-made fibres; 3) weighing more than 200 grams per square meter; 4) bleached; 5) plain weave structure. All of these conditions must be met simultaneously to be classified under 521121. If any one of them is not met, it may be classified under another subheading or heading. 5208 Cotton woven fabrics, containing ≥85% cotton, weighing ≤200 g/m²: Cotton content ≥85%, and weight is usually ≤200 g/m², whereas 521121 requires cotton content <85% and weight >200 g/m². 5210 Cotton woven fabrics, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing ≤200 g/m²: Weight ≤200 g/m², whereas 521121 requires >200 g/m². 5212 Other cotton woven fabrics: May contain <85% cotton, but the blending material is not man-made fibres, or the weight is different. 5513 Woven fabrics of synthetic fibres, containing <85% cotton, weighing ≤200 g/m²: The main fibre is synthetic fibre, whereas the main fibre of 521121 is cotton. 521112 Unbleached cotton plain weave fabrics, containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing >200 g/m²: The processing technology is unbleached, whereas 521121 is bleached. Is the cotton content less than 85%? Is it mainly blended with man-made fibres? Does it weigh more than 200 grams per square meter? Has it been bleached? Is the fabric structure plain weave?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) cotton content less than 85%; 2) mainly blended with man-made fibres; 3) weighing more than 200 grams per square meter; 4) bleached; 5) plain weave structure. All of these conditions must be met simultaneously to be classified under 521121. If any one of them is not met, it may be classified under another subheading or heading.
The processing technology is unbleached, whereas 521121 is bleached.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the cotton content less than 85%?
✓ Is it mainly blended with man-made fibres?
✓ Does it weigh more than 200 grams per square meter?
✓ Has it been bleached?
✓ Is the fabric structure plain weave?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the tariff rate for 521121? You can check the latest import tariff, value-added tax, and regulatory conditions by entering HS code 521121 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or third-party query platforms. Note that tariff rates are subject to policy adjustments, and the latest official publication should prevail. Can bleached plain weave fabric with exactly 85% cotton content be classified under 521121? No. 521121 requires cotton content less than 85%. If it is equal to or higher than 85%, it should be classified under heading 5208. Be sure to accurately test the composition content to avoid classification errors. Under which code should bleached plain weave fabric weighing exactly 200 g/m² be classified? If the weight per square meter equals 200 g, it does not meet the condition of "more than 200 g" and should be classified under heading 5210 (containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing ≤200 g/m²). The specific subheading should be determined based on the processing technology. How are bleached and unbleached distinguished? What impact does this have on classification? Bleaching refers to chemical treatment to remove natural pigments and whiten the fabric; unbleached retains the original color. 521121 specifically refers to bleached. If unbleached, it should be classified under 521112. Process certification must be provided at the time of declaration. If the fabric is plain weave but has been dyed, can it be classified under 521121? No. 521121 only covers bleached plain weave fabrics. Dyed plain weave fabrics should be classified under 521122 (dyed) or other corresponding subheadings. Processing technology is an important basis for classification. Does the type of blended man-made fibre affect classification? Under heading 5211, the type of man-made fibre does not affect the basic classification, but the specific type must be declared. If the blending material is not man-made fibre, it may be classified under 5212 or another heading. What are the consequences of omitting weight per square meter at the time of declaration? It may lead to classification errors, triggering customs inquiries, supplementary taxes, or penalties. Weight per square meter is a key indicator for distinguishing 5210 from 5211, and it must be truthfully declared with a test report provided. How can declaration be simplified for cross-border e-commerce retail export of this fabric? The cross-border e-commerce retail export manifest declaration may be applied, but the HS code and declaration elements must be filled in accurately. It is recommended to prepare test data such as composition and weight in advance to ensure compliance.
Q: How can I check the tariff rate for 521121?
A: You can check the latest import tariff, value-added tax, and regulatory conditions by entering HS code 521121 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or third-party query platforms. Note that tariff rates are subject to policy adjustments, and the latest official publication should prevail.
Q: Can bleached plain weave fabric with exactly 85% cotton content be classified under 521121?
A: No. 521121 requires cotton content less than 85%. If it is equal to or higher than 85%, it should be classified under heading 5208. Be sure to accurately test the composition content to avoid classification errors.
Q: Under which code should bleached plain weave fabric weighing exactly 200 g/m² be classified?
A: If the weight per square meter equals 200 g, it does not meet the condition of "more than 200 g" and should be classified under heading 5210 (containing <85% cotton, blended with man-made fibres, weighing ≤200 g/m²). The specific subheading should be determined based on the processing technology.
Q: How are bleached and unbleached distinguished? What impact does this have on classification?
A: Bleaching refers to chemical treatment to remove natural pigments and whiten the fabric; unbleached retains the original color. 521121 specifically refers to bleached. If unbleached, it should be classified under 521112. Process certification must be provided at the time of declaration.
Q: If the fabric is plain weave but has been dyed, can it be classified under 521121?
A: No. 521121 only covers bleached plain weave fabrics. Dyed plain weave fabrics should be classified under 521122 (dyed) or other corresponding subheadings. Processing technology is an important basis for classification.
Q: Does the type of blended man-made fibre affect classification?
A: Under heading 5211, the type of man-made fibre does not affect the basic classification, but the specific type must be declared. If the blending material is not man-made fibre, it may be classified under 5212 or another heading.
Q: What are the consequences of omitting weight per square meter at the time of declaration?
A: It may lead to classification errors, triggering customs inquiries, supplementary taxes, or penalties. Weight per square meter is a key indicator for distinguishing 5210 from 5211, and it must be truthfully declared with a test report provided.
Q: How can declaration be simplified for cross-border e-commerce retail export of this fabric?
A: The cross-border e-commerce retail export manifest declaration may be applied, but the HS code and declaration elements must be filled in accurately. It is recommended to prepare test data such as composition and weight in advance to ensure compliance.
⚠️ 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.