5516.21.00 - Unbleached or bleached

This HTS category, 5516.21.00, covers woven fabrics manufactured from artificial staple fibers. Crucially, these fabrics contain less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, and are primarily or exclusively mixed with man-made filaments. The defining characteristic of this subcategory is that the fabrics are presented in an unbleached or bleached state. This means the fibers or yarns have not undergone dyeing, printing, or been woven from yarns of different colors, distinguishing them from their immediate siblings.

These fabrics are distinct from sibling categories such as 5516.22.00 (Dyed), 5516.23.00 (Of yarns of different colors), and 5516.24.00 (Printed), as they lack these specific finishing processes or yarn color variations. The unbleached state signifies the natural color of the fibers or yarns before any coloring treatment, while bleached indicates that these have undergone a whitening process.

Within this category, further subdivisions exist to classify these unbleached or bleached woven fabrics based on their specific weave patterns and end-use applications. These include poplin or broadcloth, sheeting, printcloth, and satin weave or twill weave constructions. An "other" category captures any remaining fabrics that do not fit into these specific descriptions, ensuring comprehensive coverage within this HTS heading.