5208.31.80.90 - Cheesecloth; lawns, voiles or batistes (226)

This HTS category, 5208.31.80.90, encompasses a specific subset of dyed woven cotton fabrics. It covers cheesecloth, lawns, voiles, and batistes that meet the preceding classification criteria: containing at least 85% cotton by weight, weighing not more than 200 g/m², and dyed. Furthermore, these fabrics must be of a plain weave, weigh no more than 100 g/m², and be of a yarn number of 69 or higher. The inclusion of "cheesecloth" alongside the finer woven fabrics like lawns, voiles, and batistes highlights that this classification accounts for a range of plain weave cotton fabrics with varying degrees of openness, provided they meet the specified weight and yarn count thresholds.

This classification is distinguished from its sibling category, 5208.31.80.20 (Poplin or broadcloth), by the specific types of plain weave fabrics included. While poplin and broadcloth are also plain weave cotton fabrics, this category specifically enumerates cheesecloth, lawns, voiles, and batistes, which often have distinct textural properties and uses compared to poplin or broadcloth, even when falling under the same overarching weight and dye specifications.

As this node is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories. Classification decisions at this level therefore depend on precisely meeting all the outlined criteria, including the specific fabric types, weight limits, yarn number, weave type, and dyed status. Importers and exporters should verify that their merchandise precisely aligns with the definition of cheesecloth, lawns, voiles, or batistes, and satisfy all the preceding numerical and qualitative requirements to correctly apply this classification.