HS code · 2-digit chapter
HS Code 61 – Apparel and clothing accessories; knitted or crocheted
What HS 61 covers
HS Chapter 61 comprehensively covers "Apparel and clothing accessories; knitted or crocheted," a pivotal category in international trade. This chapter is dedicated exclusively to garments and accessories manufactured through the knitting or crocheting process, distinguishing them fundamentally from their woven counterparts found in Chapter 62. The scope encompasses a vast array of finished articles, ranging from basic undergarments to sophisticated outerwear, hosiery, gloves, and various other accessories designed for human wear. Key sub-categories within Chapter 61 include articles of apparel for men, women, and children (e.g., T-shirts, sweaters, dresses, skirts, trousers), undergarments (e.g., briefs, brassieres, nightdresses), hosiery (e.g., socks, stockings, tights), and essential accessories like gloves, mittens, scarves, shawls, and hats. Specialized items such as tracksuits, ski-suits, and swimwear, provided they are knitted or crocheted, also fall under this chapter. Accurate classification under Chapter 61 is paramount for trade compliance. It directly impacts applicable duty rates, eligibility for preferential trade agreements (e.g., Free Trade Agreements, GSP schemes), and adherence to specific import/export regulations, including textile quotas (historically significant, though less prevalent now) and labeling requirements. The distinction between knitted and woven fabrics is a frequent point of scrutiny, as is differentiating finished articles from raw fabrics (Chapter 60) or other made-up textile articles (Chapter 63). Historically, the textile and apparel industry has been a cornerstone of global commerce, often subject to complex trade policies and negotiations, making precise classification under chapters like 61 critical for all stakeholders in the supply chain. Major headings delineate specific garment types, facilitating granular classification, for instance, 6109 for T-shirts and singlets, 6110 for jerseys and pullovers, and 6115 for hosiery.
- Covers
- Men's cotton knitted T-shirts
- Women's merino wool cardigans
- Children's acrylic knitted sweaters
- Knitted denim jeans
- Women's viscose knitted dresses
- Men's knitted polo shirts
- Baby's cotton knitted bodysuits
- Athletic knitted tracksuits
- Knitted ski-suits
- Knitted bathrobes
- Cotton knitted socks
- Nylon pantyhose
- Cashmere knitted scarves
- Wool knitted hats (beanies)
- Knitted gloves
- Crocheted shawls
- Knitted swimwear
- Knitted waistcoats
- Knitted skirts
- Knitted leggings
- Knitted balaclavas
- Thermal knitted underwear
- Knitted sleepwear
- Knitted ties
- Knitted headbands.
- Examples
A major apparel retailer in the United States imports 50,000 units of men's knitted cotton polo shirts (HS 6105.10) from a manufacturing plant in Vietnam, shipping them via ocean freight from Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles. This transaction leverages the US-Vietnam trade relationship, with duties assessed based on the 'Most Favored Nation' (MFN) rates or potential preferential tariffs under existing trade frameworks. An Italian luxury fashion house exports a collection of women's intricate crocheted evening gowns (HS 6104.41) to high-end boutiques across Europe and the Middle East. For a shipment destined for Dubai, UAE, the goods are typically air-freighted from Milan, ensuring rapid delivery and maintaining the integrity of delicate garments, with customs procedures streamlined by the EU's single market and specific bilateral agreements with the UAE. A German sporting goods company sources bulk quantities of knitted polyester athletic tracksuits (HS 6112.11) from factories in Bangladesh. These goods are transported by sea from Chittagong to Hamburg. The import often benefits from the EU's Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP), which grants duty-free access or reduced tariffs to certain products from developing countries, thereby reducing import costs for the German company. A Canadian uniform supplier imports flame-retardant knitted industrial gloves (HS 6116.10) for workers in the oil and gas sector from a specialized manufacturer in China. The shipment travels by sea from Shanghai to Vancouver, where it undergoes customs clearance, with the classification being crucial for compliance with safety standards and import regulations specific to personal protective equipment.
Headings in chapter 61 17
Codes often confused with 61
Common mistake. Common misclassifications in Chapter 61 primarily stem from confusion with woven articles, raw fabrics, or other made-up textile products. A frequent mistake is classifying a woven shirt (Chapter 62, e.g., 6205) as a knitted shirt (Chapter 61, e.g., 6105), or vice-versa. The key distinction lies in the manufacturing process: knitting involves interlocking loops of yarn, while weaving involves interlacing two distinct sets of yarns. Another error is classifying knitted fabric in the piece (Chapter 60, e.g., 6006) as a finished apparel item from Chapter 61. Traders might also confuse a general knitted textile item like a knitted blanket (potentially Chapter 63, e.g., 6301) with a knitted apparel accessory (Chapter 61, e.g., 6117), particularly when the end-use is ambiguous. These errors can lead to incorrect duty payments, penalties, and compliance issues, highlighting the need for careful examination of product construction.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 61, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 61 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $81.7B 28% of world exports
- 2 Bangladesh* ~$31.0B 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Vietnam* ~$22.0B 7.6% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $290.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $46.6B 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $25.2B 10.0% of world imports
- 3 France $13.7B 5.4% of world imports
World total: $252.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Questions about HS 61
What is HS code 61?
HS code 61 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Apparel and clothing accessories; knitted or crocheted. HS Chapter 61 comprehensively covers "Apparel and clothing accessories; knitted or crocheted," a pivotal category in international trade. This chapter is dedicated exclusively to garments and accessories manufactured through the knitting or crocheting process, distinguishing them fundamentally from their woven counterparts found in Chapter 62. The scope encompasses a vast array of finished articles, ranging from basic undergarments to sophisticated outerwear, hosiery, gloves, and various other accessories designed for human wear. Key sub-categories within Chapter 61 include articles of apparel for men, women, and children (e.g., T-shirts, sweaters, dresses, skirts, trousers), undergarments (e.g., briefs, brassieres, nightdresses), hosiery (e.g., socks, stockings, tights), and essential accessories like gloves, mittens, scarves, shawls, and hats. Specialized items such as tracksuits, ski-suits, and swimwear, provided they are knitted or crocheted, also fall under this chapter. Accurate classification under Chapter 61 is paramount for trade compliance. It directly impacts applicable duty rates, eligibility for preferential trade agreements (e.g., Free Trade Agreements, GSP schemes), and adherence to specific import/export regulations, including textile quotas (historically significant, though less prevalent now) and labeling requirements. The distinction between knitted and woven fabrics is a frequent point of scrutiny, as is differentiating finished articles from raw fabrics (Chapter 60) or other made-up textile articles (Chapter 63). Historically, the textile and apparel industry has been a cornerstone of global commerce, often subject to complex trade policies and negotiations, making precise classification under chapters like 61 critical for all stakeholders in the supply chain. Major headings delineate specific garment types, facilitating granular classification, for instance, 6109 for T-shirts and singlets, 6110 for jerseys and pullovers, and 6115 for hosiery.
What products fall under HS code 61?
Men's cotton knitted T-shirts, women's merino wool cardigans, children's acrylic knitted sweaters, knitted denim jeans, women's viscose knitted dresses, men's knitted polo shirts, baby's cotton knitted bodysuits, athletic knitted tracksuits, knitted ski-suits, knitted bathrobes, cotton knitted socks, nylon pantyhose, cashmere knitted scarves, wool knitted hats (beanies), knitted gloves, crocheted shawls, knitted swimwear, knitted waistcoats, knitted skirts, knitted leggings, knitted balaclavas, thermal knitted underwear, knitted sleepwear, knitted ties, knitted headbands.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 61?
Common misclassifications in Chapter 61 primarily stem from confusion with woven articles, raw fabrics, or other made-up textile products. A frequent mistake is classifying a woven shirt (Chapter 62, e.g., 6205) as a knitted shirt (Chapter 61, e.g., 6105), or vice-versa. The key distinction lies in the manufacturing process: knitting involves interlocking loops of yarn, while weaving involves interlacing two distinct sets of yarns. Another error is classifying knitted fabric in the piece (Chapter 60, e.g., 6006) as a finished apparel item from Chapter 61. Traders might also confuse a general knitted textile item like a knitted blanket (potentially Chapter 63, e.g., 6301) with a knitted apparel accessory (Chapter 61, e.g., 6117), particularly when the end-use is ambiguous. These errors can lead to incorrect duty payments, penalties, and compliance issues, highlighting the need for careful examination of product construction.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 61?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 61 in UN Comtrade data were China ($81.7B, 28% of world exports), Bangladesh (about $31.0B) and Vietnam (about $22.0B). World exports came to about $290.8B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 61?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 61 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($46.6B, 18% of world imports), Germany ($25.2B) and France ($13.7B). World imports came to about $252.8B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 61 structured?
HS code 61 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.