HS Code 63.09 – Textiles; worn clothing and other worn articles

HS code 6309 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Textiles; worn clothing and other worn articles. Heading 6309 specifically covers 'worn clothing and other worn articles' of textile materials. This classification is distinct from new textile articles (Chapters 61, 62, or other 63 headings) and also from textile waste (6310). The defining characteristic is that the items have been used, worn, or laundered, and are typically imported for purposes such as resale as second-hand goods, donation, repurposing, or eventual recycling. This includes a vast range of used garments, from shirts and trousers to coats and dresses, as well as worn household textiles like bed linen, towels, and curtains. It's a critical heading for the global second-hand clothing trade, which plays a significant role in circular economy initiatives, waste management, and providing affordable clothing options in many parts of the world. For trade compliance, distinguishing 'worn' from 'new' (even factory seconds or surplus) is paramount, as it drastically impacts tariffs, import restrictions, and regulatory requirements (e.g., sanitation certificates). This heading reflects a unique stage in the lifecycle of textile products within Chapter 63's broader scope of made-up textile articles.

Worn men's shirts, used women's dresses, second-hand denim jeans, worn sweaters, used children's clothing, worn coats and jackets, used bed linen, worn bath towels, second-hand curtains, used blankets, worn textile footwear, used textile handbags, worn textile scarves, second-hand hats and caps, used textile gloves, worn textile underwear, used textile socks, worn textile tablecloths, used textile napkins, worn textile rags (sorted, not industrial waste), used textile uniforms, worn textile sports apparel, used textile accessories, worn textile sleeping bags, used textile cushions.

The most common misclassification is confusing worn articles with new clothing (Chapters 61 or 62) or with textile waste and rags (6310). If clothing is new, even if factory seconds, surplus, or unsold inventory, it still falls under Chapters 61 or 62. Heading 6310 is specifically for rags, scrap twine, cordage, etc., intended for industrial use or raw material for recycling, not for direct resale as worn articles. The key differentiator for 6309 is that the items are genuinely 'worn' and typically imported for reuse as clothing or household items, not primarily for material recovery.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 6309 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($994M, 20% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($514M) and China ($406M). World exports came to about $4.9B, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 6309 in UN Comtrade data were Pakistan ($562M, 12% of world imports), the United Arab Emirates (about $245M) and Kenya ($234M). World imports came to about $4.7B, 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.

HS code 6309 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 63 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (63) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (09) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.