5408.31.20.40 - Printcloth (626)

This category encompasses woven fabrics of artificial filament yarn specifically classified as "printcloth." Printcloth refers to a plain-weave fabric, typically lightweight and often used for apparel and home furnishings. Its defining characteristic is its suitability for printing, meaning it is generally produced with a relatively smooth surface and uniform weave to accept ink well. The "626" designation within the description often points to specific end-use or construction characteristics recognized within certain trade contexts.

While this category is for printcloth, it is distinct from its sibling categories. Poplin or broadcloth (5408.31.20.20) is characterized by its fine rib effect, achieved through warp yarns finer than weft yarns. Sheeting (5408.31.20.30) typically refers to broader, heavier plain-weave fabrics commonly used for bed linens. Satin weave or twill weave fabrics (5408.31.20.50) are distinguished by their characteristic weaves that create a smooth, lustrous surface or a diagonal pattern, respectively, which differs from the plain weave of printcloth.

As a leaf node, this classification (5408.31.20.40) represents the most granular level for printcloth within this part of the tariff schedule. Therefore, there are no further subcategories to introduce. Classification under this code hinges on the identification of the fabric as being of artificial filament yarn, woven, plain-weave, and fitting the specific commercial definition and end-use commonly understood as "printcloth," differentiating it from other types of woven fabrics with distinct weave structures or constructions.