HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 6108.21 – Briefs and panties; women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crocheted
HS code 6108.21 is the 6-digit subheading for briefs and panties, women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crocheted. It is used for cotton briefs, high-waist cotton panties, organic cotton thongs, seamless cotton hipsters and cotton boy shorts.
What HS 6108.21 covers
This category covers women's or girls' briefs and panties made specifically from knitted or crocheted cotton. These are everyday essential undergarments, highly valued for their comfort, breathability, and natural feel. International trade in this segment involves large-scale manufacturers, mass-market retailers, and specialty lingerie brands. Key factors influencing trade include the quality of cotton (e.g., organic, Pima), ethical sourcing practices, fit and design variations (e.g., high-waist, thong, hipster), and bulk purchasing for global distribution. The market is driven by consistent consumer demand for comfortable, natural-fiber intimate apparel.
- Covers
- Cotton briefs
- High-waist cotton panties
- Organic cotton thongs
- Seamless cotton hipsters
- Cotton boy shorts
- Cotton bikini panties
- Examples
- Calvin Klein Cotton Stretch Brief
- Hanes Cotton Panties
- Pact Organic Cotton Hipster
- Aerie Real Me Cotton Thong
Codes often confused with 6108.21
Common mistake. Often confused with 620821 (woven cotton briefs) or 610822 (knitted briefs of man-made fibres). The key differentiators are the 'knitted or crocheted' construction and 'cotton' material.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 610821, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 610821 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% 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 $1.4B 37% of world exports
- 2 Bangladesh* ~$614M 16% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Sri Lanka $209M 5.6% of world exports
World total: $3.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $559M 19% of world imports
- 2 Germany $280M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 France $182M 6.2% of world imports
World total: $2.9B 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.
Brazil NCM code for 6108.21
Brazil does not split HS 6108.21: its NCM code is 6108.21.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 61.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 6108.21
What is HS code 610821?
HS code 610821 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Briefs and panties; women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crocheted. This category covers women's or girls' briefs and panties made specifically from knitted or crocheted cotton. These are everyday essential undergarments, highly valued for their comfort, breathability, and natural feel. International trade in this segment involves large-scale manufacturers, mass-market retailers, and specialty lingerie brands. Key factors influencing trade include the quality of cotton (e.g., organic, Pima), ethical sourcing practices, fit and design variations (e.g., high-waist, thong, hipster), and bulk purchasing for global distribution. The market is driven by consistent consumer demand for comfortable, natural-fiber intimate apparel.
What products fall under HS code 610821?
Cotton briefs, high-waist cotton panties, organic cotton thongs, seamless cotton hipsters, cotton boy shorts, cotton bikini panties
What are common misclassifications for HS code 610821?
Often confused with 620821 (woven cotton briefs) or 610822 (knitted briefs of man-made fibres). The key differentiators are the 'knitted or crocheted' construction and 'cotton' material.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 610821?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 610821 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.4B, 37% of world exports), Bangladesh (about $614M) and Sri Lanka ($209M). World exports came to about $3.7B, 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 610821?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 610821 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($559M, 19% of world imports), Germany ($280M) and France ($182M). World imports came to about $2.9B, 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 610821 structured?
HS code 610821 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (61) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 610821?
In Brazil, HS code 610821 is NCM 6108.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.