5208.22.60.90 - Cheesecloth (226)

This HTS classification, 5208.22.60.90, specifically covers cheesecloth woven from cotton. To fall under this code, the fabric must contain 85 percent or more cotton by weight, weigh no more than 200 g/m², be bleached, and have a plain weave construction with a weight exceeding 100 g/m². Cheesecloth is characterized by its open weave, which gives it a loosely constructed, permeable texture, typically used for straining, filtering, or as a protective covering.

This specific classification distinguishes cheesecloth from other woven cotton fabrics at the same level. For example, while poplin/broadcloth (5208.22.60.20) and sheeting (5208.22.60.40) also meet the general criteria for bleached, plain weave cotton fabrics over 100 g/m², they possess different weave structures and densities that lend themselves to distinct end-uses, such as apparel or bedding. Similarly, printcloth (5208.22.60.60) is a term that encompasses a broader category of plain weave cotton fabrics often intended for printing, which may differ in their openness and texture from cheesecloth.

As this classification represents a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, the focus for classification into 5208.22.60.90 rests entirely on the distinct physical characteristics of cheesecloth, particularly its distinctive open weave and its common applications as a light, permeable fabric, differentiating it from other closely related plain weave cotton fabrics.