About HS Code 6204
Heading 6204 covers a wide array of women's or girls' woven garments, including suits, ensembles, jackets, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches, and shorts, excluding swimwear. This comprehensive classification is crucial for distinguishing non-knitted apparel for women and girls from their knitted counterparts in Chapter 61 (e.g., 6104). The scope is exceptionally broad, encompassing everything from formal business suits and evening dresses to casual skirts and shorts, reflecting the diverse nature of women's fashion. The definitive criteria are 'not knitted or crocheted' and the exclusion of swimwear. Key sub-categories span tailored professional wear, casual everyday garments, and special occasion dresses. Accurate classification under 6204 is paramount for trade compliance, directly influencing customs duties, quotas, and origin requirements, which are critical for market competitiveness. Historically, women's apparel has been a dynamic and significant sector of the global textile trade, constantly evolving with fashion trends and consumer preferences. As a central part of Chapter 62, this heading reinforces the classification principle based on fabric construction (woven) within Section XI (Textiles and Textile Articles), providing a clear framework for international trade and minimizing classification ambiguities in a high-volume product category.
Products Under This Code
Women's business suits, Girls' party dresses, Women's tailored denim skirts, Girls' school uniform dresses, Women's linen ensembles, Women's work jackets, Girls' cotton shorts, Women's palazzo pants, Women's pencil skirts, Girls' denim bib and brace overalls, Women's formal evening gowns (woven), Women's culottes, Women's tweed blazers, Women's capri pants, Girls' sundresses (woven), Women's A-line skirts, Women's jumpsuits (woven, classified as ensemble), Women's wide-leg trousers, Women's track pants (woven), Girls' uniform skirts, Women's casual dresses (woven), Ladies' wrap skirts, Girls' embroidered breeches, Women's cargo pants (woven), Women's tailored shorts
Real World Examples
A major US department store chain imports 30,000 units of women's fashion dresses and tailored trousers (HS 6204) from manufacturing hubs in Vietnam and China, leveraging efficient supply chains and Pacific trade routes to meet seasonal demand. Concurrently, a European high-street brand sources bespoke women's suits and blazers (HS 6204) from Turkey and Portugal, benefiting from regional trade agreements and shorter lead times. In another scenario, an Australian boutique imports a collection of girls' linen ensembles and cotton skirts (HS 6204) from India, capitalizing on unique designs and competitive pricing for its niche market.
Common Misclassification
Misclassification under HS 6204 often occurs by confusing it with knitted women's apparel, which falls under heading 6104. The crucial distinction is the fabric's construction: 6204 is exclusively for woven garments. Another common error is classifying women's outerwear, such as coats or anoraks, under 6204; these belong to 6202. Swimwear, explicitly excluded from 6204, is typically classified under 6211 or 6212. Given the heading's broad scope, traders must carefully identify the garment's primary function, material (woven), and ensure it is not outerwear or swimwear to avoid compliance issues and incorrect duty assessments.
Subheadings 25
Industry
This code belongs to the Textiles & Clothing industry.
Trade Overview
Leading exporters of women's and girls' woven apparel under HS 6204 include China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Turkey, and Italy, reflecting diverse production capabilities from mass-market to high-fashion. Key importing markets are the United States, the European Union (Germany, France, UK), Japan, and Canada, driven by dynamic fashion trends and consumer demand. Trade agreements like the USMCA, EU-Vietnam FTA, and various GSP schemes significantly impact tariff rates, offering preferential access for eligible goods and shaping global sourcing decisions. Adherence to rules of origin is essential for businesses to leverage these reduced duties and enhance competitiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 6204?
HS code 6204 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 (other than swimwear); women's or girls' (not knitted or crocheted). Heading 6204 covers a wide array of women's or girls' woven garments, including suits, ensembles, jackets, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches, and shorts, excluding swimwear. This comprehensive classification is crucial for distinguishing non-knitted apparel for women and girls from their knitted counterparts in Chapter 61 (e.g., 6104). The scope is exceptionally broad, encompassing everything from formal business suits and evening dresses to casual skirts and shorts, reflecting the diverse nature of women's fashion. The definitive criteria are 'not knitted or crocheted' and the exclusion of swimwear. Key sub-categories span tailored professional wear, casual everyday garments, and special occasion dresses. Accurate classification under 6204 is paramount for trade compliance, directly influencing customs duties, quotas, and origin requirements, which are critical for market competitiveness. Historically, women's apparel has been a dynamic and significant sector of the global textile trade, constantly evolving with fashion trends and consumer preferences. As a central part of Chapter 62, this heading reinforces the classification principle based on fabric construction (woven) within Section XI (Textiles and Textile Articles), providing a clear framework for international trade and minimizing classification ambiguities in a high-volume product category.
What products fall under HS code 6204?
Women's business suits, Girls' party dresses, Women's tailored denim skirts, Girls' school uniform dresses, Women's linen ensembles, Women's work jackets, Girls' cotton shorts, Women's palazzo pants, Women's pencil skirts, Girls' denim bib and brace overalls, Women's formal evening gowns (woven), Women's culottes, Women's tweed blazers, Women's capri pants, Girls' sundresses (woven), Women's A-line skirts, Women's jumpsuits (woven, classified as ensemble), Women's wide-leg trousers, Women's track pants (woven), Girls' uniform skirts, Women's casual dresses (woven), Ladies' wrap skirts, Girls' embroidered breeches, Women's cargo pants (woven), Women's tailored shorts
What are common misclassifications for HS code 6204?
Misclassification under HS 6204 often occurs by confusing it with knitted women's apparel, which falls under heading 6104. The crucial distinction is the fabric's construction: 6204 is exclusively for woven garments. Another common error is classifying women's outerwear, such as coats or anoraks, under 6204; these belong to 6202. Swimwear, explicitly excluded from 6204, is typically classified under 6211 or 6212. Given the heading's broad scope, traders must carefully identify the garment's primary function, material (woven), and ensure it is not outerwear or swimwear to avoid compliance issues and incorrect duty assessments.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 6204?
Leading exporters of women's and girls' woven apparel under HS 6204 include China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Turkey, and Italy, reflecting diverse production capabilities from mass-market to high-fashion. Key importing markets are the United States, the European Union (Germany, France, UK), Japan, and Canada, driven by dynamic fashion trends and consumer demand. Trade agreements like the USMCA, EU-Vietnam FTA, and various GSP schemes significantly impact tariff rates, offering preferential access for eligible goods and shaping global sourcing decisions. Adherence to rules of origin is essential for businesses to leverage these reduced duties and enhance competitiveness.
How is HS code 6204 structured?
HS code 6204 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 62 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (62) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (04) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.