About HS Code 6104
Heading 6104 is a crucial classification within Section XI (Textiles and Textile Articles) and Chapter 61 (Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted), specifically for women's or girls' outerwear. It encompasses a broad array of knitted or crocheted garments, including suits, ensembles, jackets, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches, and shorts, explicitly excluding swimwear. This heading delineates the scope by material (knitted/crocheted) and gender/age group, clearly separating these items from their woven counterparts found in Chapter 62. The concept of an 'ensemble' is particularly important, referring to a set of garments made up of two or more pieces of identical material, style, and color, designed to be worn together. Proper classification under 6104 is paramount for international trade compliance, directly impacting applicable import duties, potential quotas, and eligibility for preferential tariff treatments under various free trade agreements. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, penalties, or incorrect duty payments. Historically, the textile sector, particularly knitted apparel, has been a cornerstone of global manufacturing and trade, with significant shifts in production centers over the decades. This heading reflects the diverse range of fashion and functional apparel for women and girls, making it a frequently used classification in the global textile supply chain.
Products Under This Code
Women's knitted suit jackets, girls' crocheted dresses, women's knit pencil skirts, girls' knitted leggings, women's knit wide-leg trousers, women's knitted blazer ensembles, girls' crocheted shorts, women's knit culottes, women's knit jumpsuits (bib and brace overalls), girls' knitted tunics, women's knit mini skirts, women's knitted capri breeches, girls' knitted denim-look shorts, women's knit sheath dresses, women's knitted wrap skirts, women's knit palazzo trousers, girls' knitted A-line skirts, women's knitted formal dresses, women's knit casual jackets, girls' knitted dungarees, women's knit evening ensembles, women's knitted stretch trousers, girls' knitted play shorts, women's knitted long skirts, women's knitted biker shorts (not swimwear)
Real World Examples
A fashion retailer in New York imports a shipment of 5,000 women's knitted midi dresses made from a cotton blend from a factory in Vietnam via the Port of Long Beach, utilizing HS code 6104. This allows them to benefit from reduced tariffs under the US-Vietnam trade relations. Similarly, an Italian luxury brand exports 500 high-end merino wool knitted suit ensembles for women to boutiques in Tokyo, navigating Japanese import regulations for high-value apparel. A British wholesaler sources bulk orders of girls' knitted denim-look shorts from Bangladesh, leveraging preferential trade agreements between the UK and developing countries to manage costs for distribution across the European market.
Common Misclassification
Common misclassifications for goods under 6104 often involve confusing knitted garments with woven ones. Traders might mistakenly classify a women's woven blazer under 6104, when it should correctly fall under 6204 (Women's or girls' suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, woven). Another pitfall is swimwear; knitted shorts intended for swimming should be classified under 6112, not 6104, despite similar appearance. Lastly, distinguishing individual garments from 'ensembles' can be tricky; a two-piece set sold separately but designed to be worn together might still be considered an ensemble, impacting the overall classification if separated.
Subheadings 22
Industry
This code belongs to the Textiles & Clothing industry.
Trade Overview
Major importers of goods under HS 6104 include the United States, the European Union (especially Germany, France, and Spain), and Japan, reflecting high consumer demand for women's and girls' apparel. Leading exporters are predominantly China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey, leveraging their robust textile manufacturing capabilities and competitive labor costs. India and Pakistan also contribute significantly. Trade agreements such as the EU-Vietnam FTA, the USMCA, and various Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) schemes play a critical role, offering reduced or zero tariffs for goods originating from specific countries, making accurate classification vital for maximizing trade benefits and ensuring compliance with rules of origin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 6104?
HS code 6104 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Suits, ensembles, jackets, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (not swimwear), women's or girls', knitted or crocheted. Heading 6104 is a crucial classification within Section XI (Textiles and Textile Articles) and Chapter 61 (Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted), specifically for women's or girls' outerwear. It encompasses a broad array of knitted or crocheted garments, including suits, ensembles, jackets, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches, and shorts, explicitly excluding swimwear. This heading delineates the scope by material (knitted/crocheted) and gender/age group, clearly separating these items from their woven counterparts found in Chapter 62. The concept of an 'ensemble' is particularly important, referring to a set of garments made up of two or more pieces of identical material, style, and color, designed to be worn together. Proper classification under 6104 is paramount for international trade compliance, directly impacting applicable import duties, potential quotas, and eligibility for preferential tariff treatments under various free trade agreements. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, penalties, or incorrect duty payments. Historically, the textile sector, particularly knitted apparel, has been a cornerstone of global manufacturing and trade, with significant shifts in production centers over the decades. This heading reflects the diverse range of fashion and functional apparel for women and girls, making it a frequently used classification in the global textile supply chain.
What products fall under HS code 6104?
Women's knitted suit jackets, girls' crocheted dresses, women's knit pencil skirts, girls' knitted leggings, women's knit wide-leg trousers, women's knitted blazer ensembles, girls' crocheted shorts, women's knit culottes, women's knit jumpsuits (bib and brace overalls), girls' knitted tunics, women's knit mini skirts, women's knitted capri breeches, girls' knitted denim-look shorts, women's knit sheath dresses, women's knitted wrap skirts, women's knit palazzo trousers, girls' knitted A-line skirts, women's knitted formal dresses, women's knit casual jackets, girls' knitted dungarees, women's knit evening ensembles, women's knitted stretch trousers, girls' knitted play shorts, women's knitted long skirts, women's knitted biker shorts (not swimwear)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 6104?
Common misclassifications for goods under 6104 often involve confusing knitted garments with woven ones. Traders might mistakenly classify a women's woven blazer under 6104, when it should correctly fall under 6204 (Women's or girls' suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, woven). Another pitfall is swimwear; knitted shorts intended for swimming should be classified under 6112, not 6104, despite similar appearance. Lastly, distinguishing individual garments from 'ensembles' can be tricky; a two-piece set sold separately but designed to be worn together might still be considered an ensemble, impacting the overall classification if separated.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 6104?
Major importers of goods under HS 6104 include the United States, the European Union (especially Germany, France, and Spain), and Japan, reflecting high consumer demand for women's and girls' apparel. Leading exporters are predominantly China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey, leveraging their robust textile manufacturing capabilities and competitive labor costs. India and Pakistan also contribute significantly. Trade agreements such as the EU-Vietnam FTA, the USMCA, and various Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) schemes play a critical role, offering reduced or zero tariffs for goods originating from specific countries, making accurate classification vital for maximizing trade benefits and ensuring compliance with rules of origin.
How is HS code 6104 structured?
HS code 6104 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 61 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (61) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (04) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.