Industrial Bleached Cotton Fabric
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5407810020 | 49.9% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 5208212040 | 43.4% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 5212126090 | 42.8% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 5212226090 | 42.8% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 5208212090 | 43.4% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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AI Analysis
πΏ Industrial Bleached Cotton Fabric
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Breakdown | Professional Import Strategy
π One, Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly Is βIndustrial Bleached Cotton Fabricβ?
Industrial bleached cotton fabric refers to cotton or cotton-blended woven textiles used in manufacturing, industrial applications, packaging, filtration, or technical textiles. These fabrics are pre-treated to remove natural color and impurities, resulting in a white or off-white appearance β hence the term bleached.
Key characteristics: - β Material: Pure cotton (β₯85%) or cotton blend (e.g., cotton/polyester) - β Structure: Plain weave, woven fabric, or textile form - β Treatment: Bleached (not dyed or printed) - β Use Case: Industrial, technical, or functional applications (not for apparel)
β οΈ Critical Distinction:
- If the fabric is bleached, plain-woven, and used in industrial processes β HS Code applies
- If it's dyed, printed, or intended for clothing β Different HS Code & lower tax rate
π¦ Two, HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Match)
| HS Code | Product Description | Applicable Use Case | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
5407.81.00.20 |
Industrial bleached cotton fabric, cotton blend/cotton, plain weave, bleached | Industrial textiles, filters, industrial linings | Cotton blend, plain weave, bleached |
5208.21.20.40 |
Industrial bleached cotton fabric, 100% cotton, bleached, woven | Industrial use, packaging, technical textiles | Pure cotton, bleached, woven |
5212.12.60.90 |
Industrial bleached cotton fabric, cotton, woven, bleached | Industrial applications, non-apparel use | Cotton, machine-woven, bleached |
5212.22.60.90 |
Industrial bleached cotton fabric, cotton, textile form, bleached | Technical textiles, industrial components | Cotton, bleached, textile structure |
5208.21.20.90 |
Industrial bleached cotton fabric, cotton β₯85%, plain weave, bleached | High-cotton industrial use | β₯85% cotton, bleached, plain weave |
π Important Note:
All five codes apply only to industrial, non-apparel, bleached cotton fabrics.
No apparel or fashion use allowed β otherwise, misclassification risk applies.
π° Three, 2026 Latest Tariff Breakdown (With Full Tax Clause Explanation)
β Applicable Country: United States (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: November 10, 2025 (including future imports)
π― 1. 5407.81.00.20 β Cotton Blend Bleached Fabric (Plain Weave)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 14.9% (ad valorem) |
| USITC Section 301 Additional Duty | +25.0% |
| Section 122 (IEEPA) Additional Duty | +10.0% |
| Total Effective Duty | 49.9% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 49.9% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not applicable (denied) |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9903.01.25 β IEEPA:9903.01.24 β USITC:5407.81.00.20 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Explanation:
- USITC 301 Duty (25%): Imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 for unfair trade practices by China.
- IEEPA 122 Duty (10%): From the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), targeting Chinese-origin goods.
- Combined with 14.9% base duty β 49.9% total β one of the highest tariffs in textile category.
π― 2. 5208.21.20.40 β 100% Cotton Bleached Fabric (Woven)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 8.4% |
| USITC Section 301 Additional Duty | +25.0% |
| Section 122 (IEEPA) Additional Duty | +10.0% |
| Total Effective Duty | 43.4% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 43.4% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not applicable |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9901.25 β IEEPA:9903.01.24 β USITC:5208.21.20.40 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Note:
- Despite lower base rate (8.4%), the 25% + 10% add-ons still push total to 43.4%
- Applies only to pure cotton, bleached, woven fabric β no blends allowed
π― 3. 5212.12.60.90 β Cotton Bleached Fabric (Woven, Industrial Use)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 7.8% |
| USITC Section 301 Additional Duty | +25.0% |
| Section 122 (IEEPA) Additional Duty | +10.0% |
| Total Effective Duty | 42.8% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 42.8% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not applicable |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9901.25 β IEEPA:9903.01.24 β USITC:5212.12.60.90 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Clarification:
- "Machine-woven" and "industrial use" are key qualifiers.
- Even with lower base rate, add-ons still dominate total.
π― 4. 5212.22.60.90 β Cotton Bleached Fabric (Textile Form, Industrial)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 7.8% |
| USITC Section 301 Additional Duty | +25.0% |
| Section 122 (IEEPA) Additional Duty | +10.0% |
| Total Effective Duty | 42.8% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 42.8% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not applicable |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9901.25 β IEEPA:9903.01.24 β USITC:5212.22.60.90 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Insight:
- "Textile form" means itβs not yet cut or finished β still qualifies as industrial raw material
- Same tax burden as5212.12.60.90
π― 5. 5208.21.20.90 β High-Cotton Bleached Fabric (β₯85% Cotton, Plain Weave)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 8.4% |
| USITC Section 301 Additional Duty | +25.0% |
| Section 122 (IEEPA) Additional Duty | +10.0% |
| Total Effective Duty | 43.4% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 43.4% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not applicable |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9901.25 β IEEPA:9903.01.24 β USITC:5208.21.20.90 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Key Requirement:
- Must prove cotton content β₯85% via test report or certificate
- Must be plain weave and bleached β no dyeing or printing allowed
π οΈ Four, Customs Clearance Practical Tips (Pro Tips to Avoid Penalties)
β 1. Required Documentation (Must-Have List)
| Document | Required? | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| β Product Specification Sheet | βοΈ | Confirm cotton %, weave type, bleaching status |
| β Test Report (Cotton Content) | βοΈ | Prove β₯85% cotton for 5208.21.20.90 |
| β Fabric Sample (Physical) | βοΈ | For customs inspection |
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Clearly state: "Industrial Bleached Cotton Fabric" |
| β Bill of Lading / Packing List | βοΈ | Show quantity, weight, packaging |
| β Certificate of Origin (CO) | βοΈ | If from China, expect 40%+ duty |
| β Third-Party Lab Report (e.g., ISO, SGS) | βοΈ | Support bleaching and material claims |
β 2.η³ζ₯ζε·§οΌCritical RulesοΌ
π₯ βCotton β₯85%, Bleached, Plain Weave, Industrial Use β or You Pay 50%!β
| Scenario | Correct HS Code | Wrong Code | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% cotton, bleached, plain weave | 5208.21.20.40 |
5208.21.20.90 |
Lower duty if not β₯85% |
| Cotton blend, bleached, plain weave | 5407.81.00.20 |
5208.21.20.40 |
Higher tax if misclassified |
| β₯85% cotton, bleached, plain weave | 5208.21.20.90 |
5208.21.20.40 |
Save 0.6% in base duty |
| Industrial use only | 5212.12.60.90 |
5208.21.20.40 |
Risk of higher duty if not industrial |
π Golden Rule:
- Do NOT declare as "textile" or "fabric for clothing" β triggers higher scrutiny and penalties.
β 3. Special Cases Handling
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Fabric used in medical filters or industrial packaging | Clearly state "Industrial Use" in invoice and label |
| Cotton content between 80%-85% | Use 5208.21.20.40 β avoid 5208.21.20.90 |
| Fabric with minor dye traces | β Not bleached β Wrong classification β Risk of seizure |
| Import from Vietnam/Mexico/Thailand | β Eligible for IEEPA exemption β Duty drops to 0β5% |
| Need to reduce tax burden | Apply for Advance Ruling (Pre-Review) with customs |
π Five, Global Market Customs Comparison (2026)
| Country | Recommended HS Code | Tariff | Certification Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 5208.21.20.40 etc. |
42.8%β49.9% | None (but documentation critical) | High tax; no de minimis |
| π¨π³ China | 5208.21.20.40 |
5% | CCC, RoHS | No extra tariffs |
| πͺπΊ EU | 5208.21.20.40 |
0% (if CE) | CE, REACH | No 301/IEEPA duties |
| π¦πΊ Australia | 5208.21.20.40 |
5% | RCM | No additional duties |
| π―π΅ Japan | 5208.21.20.40 |
0% | PSE | No extra taxes |
π Conclusion:
- USA is the only market with 40%+ tariffs on industrial bleached cotton fabric from China
- Vietnam/Mexico/Thailand origin can avoid IEEPA/301 duties β consider supply chain shift
π Six, Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them (Avoid Costly Errors)
β Mistake 1: Declaring "bleached fabric" without proving β₯85% cotton
π Result: Misclassification β Higher duty + penalties
β Mistake 2: Using "cotton fabric" instead of "industrial bleached cotton fabric"
π Result: Customs may assume apparel use β Higher risk of audit
β Mistake 3: Not providing test reports for cotton content
π Result: Customs may rejectη³ζ₯ β Delay or refusal
β Mistake 4: Shipping from China but claiming "non-Chinese origin"
π Result: Fraud risk β Seizure, fines, blacklisting
β Correct Declaration Example:
"Industrial Bleached Cotton Fabric, 100% Cotton, Plain Weave, β₯85% Cotton Content, Bleached, Used for Industrial Filtration, Origin: China, CIF Value: $10,000"
π― Seven, Final Verdict: Precision Pays Off!
π― Remember the Mantra:
πΉ βBleached, Plain Weave, β₯85% Cotton, Industrial Use β or Pay 50%!β
πΉ βHS Code is Law β One Mistake, One $10k Penalty!β
π Pro Tip:
β Apply for Advance Ruling (Pre-Review) with U.S. Customs before shipment
β Use non-Chinese origin (Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand) to avoid 301+IEEPA duties
β Always include test reports and clear product description
π£ Take Action Now:
π Contact a licensed U.S. customs broker + Submit product photos + Request HS Code pre-approval
π Get your industrial bleached cotton fabric cleared fast, legally, and at the lowest possible cost!
β¨ Smart Importing Starts with Smart Classification!
πΌ Your Profit Margin Depends on One HS Code β Get It Right!
Customer Reviews
About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.