HS 521111 Unbleached

HS code 521111 covers "Cotton fabrics of less than 85% cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made staple fibres, of a weight not exceeding 200 g/m², unbleached, of yarns of different colours". The Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rate is typically 8.00% ad valorem. For example, if you import 1,000 kg of fabric valued at $5,000 USD, the duty would be calculated as 8.00% of $5,000, resulting in a duty of $400 USD. Preferential duty rates apply under various trade agreements. For instance, goods originating from Australia (AU), Bahrain (BH), Chile (CL), Colombia (CO), Israel (IL), Jordan (JO), South Korea (KR), Morocco (MA), Oman (OM), Peru (PE), Singapore (SG), and the United States (US) may receive duty-free treatment (Free). Always verify the specific origin and applicable trade agreement to confirm the correct duty rate. Consult the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule for the most current MFN and preferential rates.

For HS code 521111, 'unbleached' refers to cotton fabrics that have not undergone any bleaching, dyeing, or printing processes after weaving. They retain their natural color, typically a creamy white or light brown, as they come from the loom. The fabric should consist of less than 85% cotton, be mixed mainly or solely with man-made staple fibers, and weigh no more than 200 g/m². The yarns used must also be of different colors. This classification is based on the physical state of the fabric before any significant finishing treatments.

When importing fabrics under HS code 521111, standard import documentation is required. This includes a commercial invoice detailing the value, quantity, and description of the goods; a packing list specifying the contents of each package; and a bill of lading or air waybill as the transport document. Crucially, to claim preferential duty rates under trade agreements, a Certificate of Origin (COO) is usually mandatory, demonstrating that the goods meet the rules of origin for the specific agreement. Importers should also be prepared to provide fabric composition details and weight specifications to customs authorities upon request to verify classification.

Several trade agreements provide preferential duty rates for HS code 521111. Notably, agreements with countries like Australia (AU), Chile (CL), Colombia (CO), Israel (IL), South Korea (KR), and Singapore (SG) often include provisions for duty-free or reduced-duty imports. To verify eligibility, you must ensure that the fabric originates from a country that is a signatory to an applicable trade agreement and that the goods meet the specific 'rules of origin' defined within that agreement. This typically requires a valid Certificate of Origin (COO) issued by the exporter or manufacturer and presented to customs at the time of import. Always consult the specific trade agreement text and the relevant customs authority's guidelines for precise origin requirements.

The 'yarns of different colours' stipulation for HS code 521111 is a key classification criterion. It means that the fabric, when unbleached and composed of less than 85% cotton mixed with man-made staple fibers (under 200 g/m²), must be woven using yarns that are already colored differently before the weaving process. This distinguishes it from fabrics that are later dyed or printed to achieve a multi-colored appearance. If the yarns are all of the same color before weaving, or if the fabric is subsequently dyed or printed, it would likely fall under a different HS code. Verification may involve examining the fabric's construction and the original state of the yarns.