HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 6212.20 – Girdles and panty-girdles; whether or not knitted or crocheted
HS code 6212.20 is the 6-digit subheading for girdles and panty-girdles, whether or not knitted or crocheted. It is used for high-waist girdles, control top panty-girdles, shaping briefs, firm control shapewear shorts and waist cinchers (panty-girdle style).
What HS 6212.20 covers
This category encompasses girdles and panty-girdles, which are types of shapewear designed to provide support and contour the body. These garments can be crafted from a variety of textile materials, often incorporating elasticized fabrics for compression, and may be produced through knitting, crocheting, or weaving. The trade in girdles and panty-girdles is influenced by evolving fashion trends, body positivity movements, and the continuous consumer demand for comfortable yet effective shaping solutions. Importers are typically countries with strong retail sectors and a high consumer demand for intimate apparel, while exporters are often specialized manufacturers located in Asia and parts of Europe, known for their expertise in producing intricate foundation garments.
- Covers
- High-waist girdles
- Control top panty-girdles
- Shaping briefs
- Firm control shapewear shorts
- Waist cinchers (panty-girdle style)
- Seamless shaping panties
- Thigh shapers.
- Examples
- Spanx Power Series Girdle
- Bali Skimp Skamp Panty Girdle
- Maidenform Flexees Control Brief
- Wacoal Visual Effects Minimizer Girdle
- Jockey Skimmies Slipshort.
Codes often confused with 6212.20
Common mistake. Can be confused with 6212.90 (other corsets, suspender belts, garters and similar articles) if the item is a different type of body shaper, but 6212.20 is specific to girdles and panty-girdles.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 621220, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 621220 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 23% 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 $135M 38% of world exports
- 2 Colombia $52M 15% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$40M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $358M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $81M 23% of world imports
- 2 Japan $50M 14% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $21M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $351M 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 6212.20
Brazil does not split HS 6212.20: its NCM code is 6212.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 62.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 6212.20
What is HS code 621220?
HS code 621220 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Girdles and panty-girdles; whether or not knitted or crocheted. This category encompasses girdles and panty-girdles, which are types of shapewear designed to provide support and contour the body. These garments can be crafted from a variety of textile materials, often incorporating elasticized fabrics for compression, and may be produced through knitting, crocheting, or weaving. The trade in girdles and panty-girdles is influenced by evolving fashion trends, body positivity movements, and the continuous consumer demand for comfortable yet effective shaping solutions. Importers are typically countries with strong retail sectors and a high consumer demand for intimate apparel, while exporters are often specialized manufacturers located in Asia and parts of Europe, known for their expertise in producing intricate foundation garments.
What products fall under HS code 621220?
High-waist girdles, control top panty-girdles, shaping briefs, firm control shapewear shorts, waist cinchers (panty-girdle style), seamless shaping panties, thigh shapers.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 621220?
Can be confused with 6212.90 (other corsets, suspender belts, garters and similar articles) if the item is a different type of body shaper, but 6212.20 is specific to girdles and panty-girdles.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 621220?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 621220 in UN Comtrade data were China ($135M, 38% of world exports), Colombia ($52M) and Vietnam (about $40M). World exports came to about $358M, 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 621220?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 621220 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($81M, 23% of world imports), Japan ($50M) and Mexico ($21M). World imports came to about $351M, 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 621220 structured?
HS code 621220 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (62) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 621220?
In Brazil, HS code 621220 is NCM 6212.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.