About HS Code 5112
Heading 5112 of the Harmonized System specifically covers 'Woven fabrics of combed wool or of combed fine animal hair.' This classification is crucial for differentiating textiles based on a key fiber processing step: combing. Combing follows carding and involves aligning fibers parallel, removing shorter fibers and impurities, resulting in a longer, stronger, smoother, and more lustrous yarn. Fabrics made from combed wool or fine animal hair, often referred to as 'worsted' fabrics, are typically finer, more compact, and have a distinct, clean surface compared to their carded counterparts (5111). Fine animal hairs include premium fibers like cashmere, mohair, alpaca, and vicuña. The precise definition is vital for customs duties, international trade statistics, and ensuring compliance with textile labeling and quality standards. These fabrics are highly valued for tailored garments, high-quality suits, and luxurious apparel where drape, durability, and a smooth finish are paramount. Historically, worsted fabrics have been associated with precision tailoring and high fashion. As part of Chapter 51, this heading provides a specific classification for these premium wool and fine animal hair fabrics, emphasizing the sophisticated 'combed' processing that elevates their quality and application within the textile industry.
Products Under This Code
Combed wool worsted suiting fabric, Combed cashmere fabric for luxury suits, Mohair worsted fabric for tailored jackets, Fine alpaca combed fabric for formalwear, Vicuña combed fabric for high-end coats, Combed wool gabardine fabric, Combed merino wool fabric for dress shirts, Combed wool serge fabric, Combed fine animal hair fabric for blazers, Combed wool barathea fabric, Worsted wool twill fabric, Combed wool crepes, Combed cashmere blend fabric for trousers, Combed camel hair fabric for suits, Combed wool fabric for uniforms, Combed fine animal hair fabric for evening wear, Combed wool sharkskin fabric, Combed wool tropical weight fabric, Combed wool fabric for tailored dresses, Combed fine animal hair fabric for vests, Combed wool fabric for formal trousers, Combed wool vicuña blend fabric, Combed wool glen check fabric, Combed wool houndstooth fabric, Combed wool pinstripe fabric
Real World Examples
A luxury suit manufacturer in Italy imports rolls of premium combed merino wool worsted fabric from Australia to produce high-end men's and women's tailored suits, shipped via long-haul sea freight across the Indian Ocean and through the Suez Canal. Separately, a high-fashion house in France sources exclusive combed cashmere fabric from China for its haute couture collections, often relying on air cargo for speed and security. A uniform supplier in the United States procures durable combed wool serge fabric from the United Kingdom for military and corporate uniforms, typically transported across the Atlantic via container ships. Furthermore, a bespoke tailor in Japan imports fine combed alpaca fabric from Peru for custom-made formalwear, utilizing a combination of sea and air routes to ensure quality and timely delivery.
Common Misclassification
The primary misclassification for HS 5112 is confusing combed fabrics with carded fabrics (HS 5111). Combed fabrics are characterized by their smoother, finer, and more lustrous appearance due to the removal of short fibers and impurities, while carded fabrics are bulkier and fuzzier. Traders might also incorrectly classify fabrics made from blends where combed wool or fine animal hair is not the predominant fiber by weight, leading to classification under headings for synthetic blends (Chapter 55) or other fiber blends. Another error could be classifying knitted fabrics (Chapter 60) or non-woven materials (Chapter 59) made from combed fibers under this heading, ignoring the 'woven' requirement. Careful examination of the fabric's weave, fiber length, and surface finish is crucial for accurate classification.
Subheadings 5
Industry
This code belongs to the Textiles & Clothing industry.
Trade Overview
Leading exporters of woven fabrics of combed wool or fine animal hair include Australia (for raw merino wool), Italy, the United Kingdom, and China, all renowned for their sophisticated worsted textile industries. These countries supply high-quality fabrics to global markets. Major importers are luxury fashion hubs in Europe (e.g., France, Germany), the United States, Japan, and South Korea, where there is high demand for premium tailored garments and high-end apparel. Trade agreements play a significant role, with preferential tariffs often applied to goods originating from partner countries. Understanding specific rules of origin, particularly for blended fabrics, is critical to leverage these tariff benefits and ensure compliance with importing country regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 5112?
HS code 5112 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Woven fabrics of combed wool or of combed fine animal hair. Heading 5112 of the Harmonized System specifically covers 'Woven fabrics of combed wool or of combed fine animal hair.' This classification is crucial for differentiating textiles based on a key fiber processing step: combing. Combing follows carding and involves aligning fibers parallel, removing shorter fibers and impurities, resulting in a longer, stronger, smoother, and more lustrous yarn. Fabrics made from combed wool or fine animal hair, often referred to as 'worsted' fabrics, are typically finer, more compact, and have a distinct, clean surface compared to their carded counterparts (5111). Fine animal hairs include premium fibers like cashmere, mohair, alpaca, and vicuña. The precise definition is vital for customs duties, international trade statistics, and ensuring compliance with textile labeling and quality standards. These fabrics are highly valued for tailored garments, high-quality suits, and luxurious apparel where drape, durability, and a smooth finish are paramount. Historically, worsted fabrics have been associated with precision tailoring and high fashion. As part of Chapter 51, this heading provides a specific classification for these premium wool and fine animal hair fabrics, emphasizing the sophisticated 'combed' processing that elevates their quality and application within the textile industry.
What products fall under HS code 5112?
Combed wool worsted suiting fabric, Combed cashmere fabric for luxury suits, Mohair worsted fabric for tailored jackets, Fine alpaca combed fabric for formalwear, Vicuña combed fabric for high-end coats, Combed wool gabardine fabric, Combed merino wool fabric for dress shirts, Combed wool serge fabric, Combed fine animal hair fabric for blazers, Combed wool barathea fabric, Worsted wool twill fabric, Combed wool crepes, Combed cashmere blend fabric for trousers, Combed camel hair fabric for suits, Combed wool fabric for uniforms, Combed fine animal hair fabric for evening wear, Combed wool sharkskin fabric, Combed wool tropical weight fabric, Combed wool fabric for tailored dresses, Combed fine animal hair fabric for vests, Combed wool fabric for formal trousers, Combed wool vicuña blend fabric, Combed wool glen check fabric, Combed wool houndstooth fabric, Combed wool pinstripe fabric
What are common misclassifications for HS code 5112?
The primary misclassification for HS 5112 is confusing combed fabrics with carded fabrics (HS 5111). Combed fabrics are characterized by their smoother, finer, and more lustrous appearance due to the removal of short fibers and impurities, while carded fabrics are bulkier and fuzzier. Traders might also incorrectly classify fabrics made from blends where combed wool or fine animal hair is not the predominant fiber by weight, leading to classification under headings for synthetic blends (Chapter 55) or other fiber blends. Another error could be classifying knitted fabrics (Chapter 60) or non-woven materials (Chapter 59) made from combed fibers under this heading, ignoring the 'woven' requirement. Careful examination of the fabric's weave, fiber length, and surface finish is crucial for accurate classification.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 5112?
Leading exporters of woven fabrics of combed wool or fine animal hair include Australia (for raw merino wool), Italy, the United Kingdom, and China, all renowned for their sophisticated worsted textile industries. These countries supply high-quality fabrics to global markets. Major importers are luxury fashion hubs in Europe (e.g., France, Germany), the United States, Japan, and South Korea, where there is high demand for premium tailored garments and high-end apparel. Trade agreements play a significant role, with preferential tariffs often applied to goods originating from partner countries. Understanding specific rules of origin, particularly for blended fabrics, is critical to leverage these tariff benefits and ensure compliance with importing country regulations.
How is HS code 5112 structured?
HS code 5112 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 51 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (51) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (12) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.