Imports & ExportsStart exporting

Textiles & apparel

Export cotton woven fabrics

Grey and finished cotton fabrics — shirting, sheeting, denim, poplin, voile — for garment and home-textile makers abroad.

Free to exportHS 5208
HS code
5208
Woven fabrics of cotton: 85% or more cotton, up to 200 g/m² (5208) and over 200 g/m² (5209); blends mainly with man-made fibres (5210, 5211, including denim); other cotton fabrics (5212).
Export policy
Free to export
Free under ITC(HS) Schedule 2; no licence is needed. Confirm the 8-digit line on the DGFT ITC(HS) search before you ship.
Registrations
3
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 2.01 bn
to 150 countries

What is exported

India exports grey (unfinished) and processed cotton fabrics from mills and powerloom clusters in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Punjab. Garment factories in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka buy a large share; the Gulf, Africa and Western markets buy finished fabric and denim. Mills compete with China and Pakistan on price, delivery and compliance.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Grey fabricUnbleached sheeting, poplin, cambric and drill for processors abroad.
  • Shirting and voileDyed, yarn-dyed and printed light fabrics.
  • Denim (5209 42, 5211 42)Indigo denim from Ahmedabad and other mills.
  • Canvas and furnishing fabricsHeavier fabrics for bags, upholstery and curtains.
  • Organic and BCI cotton fabricsCertified fabrics for brands with sustainability targets.

Where it is grown or made

  • MaharashtraBhiwandi, Ichalkaranji and Malegaon powerlooms; Mumbai processors.
  • GujaratAhmedabad (denim and shirting) and Surat processing houses.
  • Tamil NaduErode, Salem, Komarapalayam and Coimbatore.
  • Punjab and Madhya PradeshLudhiana and the Indore–Burhanpur belt.

Export packing

  • Fabric rolled on tubes, wrapped in polythene and HDPE or hessian, with a roll ticket (lot, shade, length, weight); bales or pallets as the buyer specifies.
  • Wooden pallets must be ISPM-15 heat-treated and stamped.

Who buys abroad

  • Garment factories in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
  • Fabric wholesalers in the Gulf and Africa
  • Converters and home-textile makers in Europe and the USA

The quality buyers ask for

Construction
Ends × picks per inch and warp × weft count, e.g. 60×60 / 90×88
Weight and width
GSM and cuttable width as ordered (e.g. 58/60 inches)
Inspection
Four-point system, usually up to about 20–40 points per 100 square yards for first quality
Shrinkage
Typically within about 3–5% after washing, as agreed
Colour fastness
Washing, rubbing, light and perspiration, usually grade 3–4 or better (ISO 105 / AATCC methods)
Restricted substances
No banned azo dyes; formaldehyde, pH and heavy metals within REACH and buyer limits

Certificates

  • RCMCRequiredRegistration with the export promotion council or board for your product (not needed up to ₹3 lakh FOB per consignment since 15 Sep 2026).
  • OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100Often askedTests the finished textile for harmful substances; widely asked for by retailers.
  • GOTSOften askedGlobal Organic Textile Standard, for goods sold as organic cotton or silk.
  • BCI / Kasturi Cotton BharatOften askedTraceable or responsibly grown cotton programmes that brands ask for.
  • Social audit (SA8000, BSCI/amfori, SMETA, WRAP)Often askedLabour and workplace audit required by most Western retailers before they place orders.
  • ISO 9001Often askedQuality management system; often asked for by industrial buyers.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Rolls or bales in 20-ft or 40-ft dry containers; a 40-ft typically carries about 15–20 tonnes of fabric depending on roll size.

How it travels

Sea from Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Chennai and Tuticorin; road to Bangladesh via Petrapole.

Storage

Dry, clean warehouse; protect from damp and mildew.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Fabric and yarn: roll or carton ticket with quality, lot/shade or merge number, length or weight, and “Made in India”.
  • USA: fibre content by percentage, country of origin and the manufacturer’s name or RN number on a permanent label (FTC Textile Act rules); care label for consumer goods.
  • EU: fibre names and percentages under Regulation (EU) 1007/2011, in the language of the selling country; care symbols are commonly expected.
Where to get it tested

Test at the textile research associations — SITRA (Coimbatore), NITRA (Ghaziabad), BTRA (Mumbai), ATIRA (Ahmedabad) — at Textiles Committee laboratories, or at any NABL-accredited textile lab (search the NABL directory for “textiles” and your city). Retail buyers often name a global test house with labs in India.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • TEXPROCILRCMC from the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council, which covers raw cotton, cotton yarn, cotton fabrics (including knit fabrics) and cotton made-ups such as towels, bed linen and scarves.texprocil.org ↗

Quality and checks

  • Buyer test reports for fibre content, GSM, colour fastness, shrinkage and restricted chemicals (azo dyes, formaldehyde); EU buyers apply REACH limits.
  • Fibre-traceability declarations: US Customs can detain cotton goods under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act unless you can show the cotton’s origin.
  • Fabric construction (ends and picks per inch, yarn count), width and four-point inspection for weaving and processing defects.
How to start small

Source from a mill or processing house in Bhiwandi, Ichalkaranji, Ahmedabad or Erode, offer swatches and lab reports to garment makers in Bangladesh or Sri Lanka, and ship your first lot on LC. Since 15 September 2026, a consignment worth up to ₹3 lakh FOB does not need an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27). Registrations that a law requires for the product still apply.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Shade variation between rolls; buyers reject or discount mixed shades.
  • Shrinkage beyond the agreed limit after washing.
  • No cotton traceability for US-bound fabric, leading to detention under UFLPA.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (6)
  1. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  2. TEXPROCIL — The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council
  3. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification 32/2024-25)
  4. US Customs and Border Protection — Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
  5. European Chemicals Agency — Understanding REACH
  6. PIB — India-UK CETA enters into force (15 Jul 2026): zero-duty access for nearly 99% of India’s exports

Trade data

Indian cotton woven fabrics exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 2.01 bn
+4.5% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +2.7%
US$ 1.96 bn → US$ 2.01 bn
Buyer countries
150
Average export price
US$ 0.85
per kg · 2.38 mn tonnes shipped · US$ 0.85 the year before
Bangladesh: US$ 453 mnSri Lanka: US$ 209 mnNigeria: US$ 163 mnSenegal: US$ 134 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 120 mnUnited States of America: US$ 71 mnColombia: US$ 57.8 mnNepal: US$ 52.6 mnSouth Korea: US$ 44.3 mnIndonesia: US$ 44 mnGhana: US$ 37.3 mnSudan: US$ 37.1 mnThailand: US$ 36.6 mnMorocco: US$ 34.7 mnVietnam: US$ 22.2 mnTogo: US$ 22 mnEgypt: US$ 21.7 mnSouth Africa: US$ 21.5 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 20.8 mnItaly: US$ 20 mnTanzania: US$ 19.9 mnMexico: US$ 17.2 mnBangladesh: US$ 453 mnBangladeshSri Lanka: US$ 209 mnSri LankaNigeria: US$ 163 mnNigeriaSenegal: US$ 134 mnSenegalUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 120 mnUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of America: US$ 71 mnUnited States of AmericaColombia: US$ 57.8 mnNepal: US$ 52.6 mnSouth Korea: US$ 44.3 mnIndonesia: US$ 44 mnGhana: US$ 37.3 mnSudan: US$ 37.1 mnThailand: US$ 36.6 mnMorocco: US$ 34.7 mnVietnam: US$ 22.2 mnTogo: US$ 22 mnEgypt: US$ 21.7 mnSouth Africa: US$ 21.5 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 20.8 mnItaly: US$ 20 mnTanzania: US$ 19.9 mnMexico: US$ 17.2 mnIndia
Where Indian cotton woven fabrics goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 1.62 bn1.6k2020-212021-22: US$ 2.45 bn2.5k2021-222022-23: US$ 2.12 bn2.1k2022-232023-24: US$ 1.87 bn1.9k2023-242024-25: US$ 1.96 bn2.0k2024-252025-26: US$ 2.01 bn2.0k2025-26
India’s cotton woven fabrics exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2025-26 — a 23% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 0.91 per kg2021-22: US$ 1.03 per kg2022-23: US$ 1.04 per kg1.042024-25: US$ 0.85 per kg2025-26: US$ 0.85 per kg0.852020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian cotton woven fabrics · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 1.62 bn2020-212021-22: US$ 2.45 bn2021-222022-23: US$ 2.12 bn2022-232023-24: US$ 1.87 bn2023-242024-25: US$ 1.96 bn2024-252025-26: US$ 2.01 bn2025-262026-27: US$ 2.05 bn (US$ 1.66 bn – US$ 2.53 bn)2.1k2026-272027-28: US$ 2.07 bn (US$ 1.64 bn – US$ 2.61 bn)2.1k2027-28
India’s cotton woven fabrics exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 2.07 bn

Likely range US$ 1.64 bn to US$ 2.61 bn.

Trend
+0.9% a year
Fit (R²)
0.01 — weak, read with care
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1BangladeshUS$ 453 mn-2.1%
2Sri LankaUS$ 209 mn+8.8%
3NigeriaUS$ 163 mn+13%
4SenegalUS$ 134 mn+29.3%
5United Arab EmiratesUS$ 120 mn-9.5%
6United States of AmericaUS$ 71 mn-17.9%
7ColombiaUS$ 57.8 mn+28.3%
8NepalUS$ 52.6 mn+6.4%
9South KoreaUS$ 44.3 mn-20.7%
10IndonesiaUS$ 44 mn+20.7%
11GhanaUS$ 37.3 mn-14.7%
12SudanUS$ 37.1 mn+548.2%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. SudanUS$ 5.7 mn → US$ 37.1 mn+548.2%
  2. GambiaUS$ 19 mn → US$ 29.2 mn+53.7%
  3. MoroccoUS$ 25.5 mn → US$ 34.7 mn+36.1%
  4. SenegalUS$ 104 mn → US$ 134 mn+29.3%
  5. ColombiaUS$ 45.1 mn → US$ 57.8 mn+28.3%
  6. TogoUS$ 17.6 mn → US$ 22 mn+25.1%
  7. IndonesiaUS$ 36.5 mn → US$ 44 mn+20.7%
  8. MauritaniaUS$ 19.5 mn → US$ 22.9 mn+17.8%

Low demand

  1. MexicoUS$ 29.6 mn → US$ 17.2 mn-42.1%
  2. TanzaniaUS$ 26.8 mn → US$ 19.9 mn-26%
  3. South KoreaUS$ 55.9 mn → US$ 44.3 mn-20.7%
  4. United States of AmericaUS$ 86.5 mn → US$ 71 mn-17.9%
  5. ThailandUS$ 43.5 mn → US$ 36.6 mn-15.8%
  6. South AfricaUS$ 25.2 mn → US$ 21.5 mn-14.9%
  7. GhanaUS$ 43.8 mn → US$ 37.3 mn-14.7%
  8. VietnamUS$ 24.7 mn → US$ 22.2 mn-10.4%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Others-of-cotton fabrics contng >=85% by weight cotnprinted,plain weave weighing >100 g/m25208 52 90 · Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, printed, plain weave, weighing more than…US$ 391 mn+13.4%586 mn m²US$ 0.67 per m²was US$ 0.68
Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, weighing more… — denim5209 42 00US$ 291 mn+15.9%224 mn m²US$ 1.30 per m²was US$ 1.35
Others of plain weave, weighing not more than 100 g/m25208 51 90 · Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, printed, plain weave, weighing not more than…US$ 148 mn+19.8%181 mn m²US$ 0.82 per m²was US$ 0.75
Denim of yarns of different colour of mxd cotton fabrics weighing>200 gsm5211 42 00 · Fabrics, woven, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres…US$ 131 mn-13.3%115 mn m²US$ 1.14 per m²was US$ 1.18
Others-of-cotton fabrcs contng >=85% by weight of cotnunbleachd plainweave weiging > 100 g/m25208 12 90 · Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing more than…US$ 101 mn-4.9%213 mn m²US$ 0.48 per m²was US$ 0.49
Others-of-cotton fabrics contng>=85% by weight of cotndyed,plain weave weighng >=100 g/m25208 32 90 · Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2…US$ 90.4 mn+13.5%99.5 mn m²US$ 0.91 per m²was US$ 0.95
Others-of-cotton fabrcs contng>=85% by weight of cotton,unbleached plain weave weiging <=100 g/m25208 11 90 · Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing not more than…US$ 53.8 mn-19.2%146 mn m²US$ 0.37 per m²was US$ 0.39
Others-of-unblchd 3/4 thred twill including cross twillcotton fabrics weiging more than200 gm per sqm5209 12 90 · Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, 3-thread or 4-thread twill…US$ 52.2 mn-20.2%74.1 mn m²US$ 0.71 per m²was US$ 0.74
Others-of-cotton fabrics contng >=85%by weight of cotndyed plain weave weigng<=100 g/m25208 31 90 · Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2US$ 51.2 mn+1.7%78.9 mn m²US$ 0.65 per m²was US$ 0.67
Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, printed, of weaves in item no. 5208.5, weighing… — shirting fabrics5208 59 90US$ 44.9 mn+41.4%47.1 mn m²US$ 0.95 per m²was US$ 0.76
Others-of-dyed 3/4 thread twill includingdng cross twill cotton fabrics weighing>200 gm per sqm5209 32 90 · Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including…US$ 44.8 mn-11.8%23.8 mn m²US$ 1.88 per m²was US$ 1.77
Others-of-cotton fabrics contng >=85% by weight of cotton plain weave, weighing more than 100 gmper sqm of yarn of different colours5208 42 90 · Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, weighing more…US$ 38.1 mn+12.8%30.2 mn m²US$ 1.26 per m²was US$ 1.31
Others-of-blechd plain weave weigng <=100 g/m25208 21 90 · Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing not more than…US$ 32.9 mn-2.1%95.3 mn m²US$ 0.34 per m²was US$ 0.35
Fabrics, woven, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2… — shirting fabrics5208 32 30US$ 32.3 mn+12.5%28.2 mn m²US$ 1.15 per m²was US$ 1.16

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 12.8 bn
2023
India among exporters
#2
of 144 countries
India’s share of world exports
9%
US$ 1.89 bn
Left for others to win
US$ 19.2 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 9.67 bn 45.8%
  2. 2IndiaUS$ 1.89 bn 9%
  3. 3PakistanUS$ 1.88 bn 8.9%
  4. 4ItalyUS$ 920 mn 4.4%
  5. 5TürkiyeUS$ 848 mn 4%
  6. 6GermanyUS$ 534 mn 2.5%
  7. 7AustriaUS$ 463 mn 2.2%
  8. 8SpainUS$ 392 mn 1.9%
  9. 9Viet NamUS$ 350 mn 1.7%
  10. 10NetherlandsUS$ 327 mn 1.6%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1Viet NamUS$ 1.22 bn 9.6%
  2. 2USAUS$ 625 mn 4.9%
  3. 3ItalyUS$ 624 mn 4.9%
  4. 4IndonesiaUS$ 590 mn 4.6%
  5. 5TunisiaUS$ 563 mn 4.4%
  6. 6CambodiaUS$ 497 mn 3.9%
  7. 7MoroccoUS$ 465 mn 3.6%
  8. 8MexicoUS$ 450 mn 3.5%
  9. 9ChinaUS$ 424 mn 3.3%
  10. 10TürkiyeUS$ 387 mn 3%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

VietnamUS$ 1.49 bnIndia 1.2% · gap US$ 1.47 bn
United States of AmericaUS$ 638 mnIndia 13.6% · gap US$ 551 mn
ItalyUS$ 565 mnIndia 4.2% · gap US$ 541 mn
IndonesiaUS$ 558 mnIndia 6.2% · gap US$ 524 mn
ChinaUS$ 403 mnIndia 1.4% · gap US$ 397 mn
SpainUS$ 329 mnIndia 2.7% · gap US$ 320 mn
GermanyUS$ 273 mnIndia 6.6% · gap US$ 255 mn
Sri LankaUS$ 441 mnIndia 42.7% · gap US$ 253 mn
EgyptUS$ 269 mnIndia 6.2% · gap US$ 252 mn
FranceUS$ 247 mnIndia 4.3% · gap US$ 236 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export cotton woven fabrics

China is the largest exporter of cotton fabrics, with India and Pakistan close competitors. India’s advantages are its own cotton and yarn base, a huge powerloom sector and flexible order sizes. Demand comes from garment hubs in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Vietnam and from Western home-textile and apparel brands. Openings lie in sustainable (organic, BCI, recycled-blend) fabrics, denim and fabrics for the UK under CETA.

  1. 01Send samples and agree the spec

    Send swatches or cones with test reports; fix construction, GSM or count, shade, tolerances, packing and the testing lab in the purchase order.

  2. 02Book yarn and loom capacity

    Lock yarn price and weaving capacity once the order is confirmed.

  3. 03Weave and process

    Weave grey fabric, then bleach, dye, print and finish to the approved lab dip.

  4. 04Inspect and test

    Run four-point inspection and send lot samples to the nominated lab.

  5. 05Book, stuff and file the shipping bill

    Book the container, stuff it at the factory or a CFS, file the shipping bill on ICEGATE with the correct 8-digit code and the RoDTEP/RoSCTL declaration, and get the bill of lading.

  6. 06Get paid and close the file

    Send the original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). Once the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP, RoSCTL or drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting cotton woven fabrics

Grey or finished fabric — which is easier?
Grey fabric is simpler (fewer quality variables) but lower-margin; finished fabric needs shade and fastness control.
Which council issues the RCMC?
TEXPROCIL for cotton fabrics; SRTEPC if the fabric is mainly man-made fibre.
What is four-point inspection?
A standard way of scoring fabric defects by size; the buyer sets the maximum points allowed.
Does the UK CETA help?
Yes — since 15 July 2026 most Indian textiles enter the UK duty-free with a CETA certificate of origin.
What RoDTEP applies?
5208 fabrics earn 3.5% capped at ₹8.5 per square metre; 5209 and 5211 (including denim) 3.6% capped at ₹7.9.
Sources (7)
  1. TEXPROCIL — The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council
  2. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification 32/2024-25)
  3. OEKO-TEX — STANDARD 100
  4. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
  5. US FTC — Labeling requirements under the Textile and Wool Acts
  6. European Commission — Textile labelling (Regulation (EU) 1007/2011)
  7. PIB — India-UK CETA enters into force (15 Jul 2026): zero-duty access for nearly 99% of India’s exports

Who buys Indian cotton woven fabrics

All countries →

More in textiles & apparel

All products →