HS code · 2-digit chapter

HS Code 65 – Headgear and parts thereof

What HS 65 covers

Chapter 65 of the Harmonized System (HS) covers "Headgear and parts thereof," a broad classification encompassing all forms of head coverings designed to be worn on the head, whether for protection, fashion, religious observance, or professional use, and their identifiable parts. This chapter's scope is extensive, ranging from basic knitted caps to sophisticated protective helmets and high-fashion hats. It includes headgear made from various materials like felt, straw, knitted or crocheted fabrics, plastics, and metals. The boundaries are generally clear: if it's designed to be worn on the head as a distinct item, it likely falls here. Exclusions typically include wigs (Chapter 67), headbands not forming part of a hat (often Chapters 62 or 63), or specific integral parts of other articles (e.g., a helmet permanently affixed to a diving suit). Key sub-categories within this chapter include hat-forms and bodies (6501, 6502), plaited or assembled hats (6504), knitted or crocheted headgear (6505), other made-up headgear, including protective helmets (6506), and parts of headgear (6507). Accurate classification under Chapter 65 is crucial for trade compliance, as it directly impacts applicable duties, taxes, quotas, and eligibility for preferential trade agreements. For protective headgear, adherence to safety standards (e.g., CE marking, ANSI standards) is paramount and linked to proper classification. Historically, headgear has always been a significant trade item, evolving from functional necessity to a global fashion accessory and essential safety equipment, making its trade volume substantial and diverse.

Covers
  • Baseball caps
  • Knitted beanies
  • Wide-brimmed straw hats
  • Felt fedoras
  • Wool berets
  • Sun visors
  • Industrial hard hats
  • Bicycle helmets
  • Motorcycle helmets
  • Ski helmets
  • Jockey caps
  • Chef hats
  • Graduation caps (mortarboards)
  • Shower caps
  • Swimming caps
  • Fabric bonnets
  • Historical costume hats
  • Police caps
  • Military berets
  • Firefighter helmets
  • Balaclavas
  • Fascinators
  • Turbans
  • Medical scrub caps
  • Cowboy hats
Examples

A large US apparel retailer imports 100,000 custom-embroidered baseball caps (6505.90) from a manufacturing plant in Vietnam, shipping them via ocean freight to the Port of Los Angeles for distribution across their stores. The importer carefully manages origin documentation to potentially leverage CPTPP preferential tariffs. A German safety equipment distributor imports 5,000 industrial hard hats (6506.10) from a specialized factory in China to the Port of Hamburg, ensuring all products meet stringent EU CE safety certification requirements before onward sale to construction companies across Europe. A high-end Japanese fashion boutique imports 300 handcrafted felt fedoras (6504.00) from a renowned hatmaker in Italy, utilizing air freight to Tokyo to quickly bring the latest designer collections to its discerning clientele. A Canadian outdoor gear supplier imports 20,000 knitted wool beanies (6505.00) from Bangladesh, taking advantage of duty-free access under Canada's General Preferential Tariff (GPT) scheme for least developed countries, with shipments arriving in Vancouver for the winter season.

Headings in chapter 65 6

65.01Hat-forms, hat bodies and hoods of felt, neither blocked to shape nor with made brims; plateaux and manchons (including slit manchons) of felt65.02Hat-shapes; plaited or made by assembling strips of any material, neither blocked to shape, nor with made brims, nor lined, nor trimmed65.04Hats and other headgear; plaited or made by assembling strips of any material, whether or not lined or trimmed65.05Hats and other headgear; knitted or crocheted, or made up from lace, felt or other textile fabric, in the piece (but not in strips), whether or not lined or trimmed; hair-nets of any material, whether or not lined or trimmed65.06Headgear; n.e.c. in chapter 65, whether or not lined or trimmed65.07Head-bands, linings, covers, hat foundations, hat frames, peaks and chinstraps, for headgear

20 Brazil NCM codes in chapter 65 →

Codes often confused with 65

Common mistake. Traders often make mistakes classifying headgear by confusing it with related textile articles or specialized equipment. A common misclassification occurs with simple textile headbands or scarves, which, if not clearly designed as a hat or cap, might belong in Chapter 62 or 63 (e.g., 6217.90 for other made-up clothing accessories or 6307.90 for other made-up textile articles) rather than Chapter 65. Another frequent error involves protective helmets: while most fall under 6506.10, some highly specialized helmets, particularly those integrated into larger systems (e.g., a diver's helmet integral to a suit), might be classified with the primary article. Confusion also arises with toy hats or costume items; if the primary function is clearly play or entertainment rather than practical wear, they should be classified under Chapter 95 (e.g., 9503.00 for toys) instead of 65.

6217.90Clothing; parts of garments or of clothing accessories, other than those of heading no. 6212 (not knitted or crocheted)6307.90Textiles; made up articles (including dress patterns), n.e.c. in chapter 63, n.e.c. in heading no. 63076506.10Headgear; safety, whether or not lined or trimmed9503.00Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls; other toys; reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds

Top exporters and importers of HS code 65, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 65 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% 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. 1 China $5.8B
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$1.4B
  3. 3 Germany $921M

World total: $15.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $3.0B
  2. 2 Germany $1.2B
  3. 3 France $832M

World total: $14.3B 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.

Questions about HS 65

What is HS code 65?

HS code 65 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Headgear and parts thereof. Chapter 65 of the Harmonized System (HS) covers "Headgear and parts thereof," a broad classification encompassing all forms of head coverings designed to be worn on the head, whether for protection, fashion, religious observance, or professional use, and their identifiable parts. This chapter's scope is extensive, ranging from basic knitted caps to sophisticated protective helmets and high-fashion hats. It includes headgear made from various materials like felt, straw, knitted or crocheted fabrics, plastics, and metals. The boundaries are generally clear: if it's designed to be worn on the head as a distinct item, it likely falls here. Exclusions typically include wigs (Chapter 67), headbands not forming part of a hat (often Chapters 62 or 63), or specific integral parts of other articles (e.g., a helmet permanently affixed to a diving suit). Key sub-categories within this chapter include hat-forms and bodies (6501, 6502), plaited or assembled hats (6504), knitted or crocheted headgear (6505), other made-up headgear, including protective helmets (6506), and parts of headgear (6507). Accurate classification under Chapter 65 is crucial for trade compliance, as it directly impacts applicable duties, taxes, quotas, and eligibility for preferential trade agreements. For protective headgear, adherence to safety standards (e.g., CE marking, ANSI standards) is paramount and linked to proper classification. Historically, headgear has always been a significant trade item, evolving from functional necessity to a global fashion accessory and essential safety equipment, making its trade volume substantial and diverse.

What products fall under HS code 65?

Baseball caps, knitted beanies, wide-brimmed straw hats, felt fedoras, wool berets, sun visors, industrial hard hats, bicycle helmets, motorcycle helmets, ski helmets, jockey caps, chef hats, graduation caps (mortarboards), shower caps, swimming caps, fabric bonnets, historical costume hats, police caps, military berets, firefighter helmets, balaclavas, fascinators, turbans, medical scrub caps, cowboy hats

What are common misclassifications for HS code 65?

Traders often make mistakes classifying headgear by confusing it with related textile articles or specialized equipment. A common misclassification occurs with simple textile headbands or scarves, which, if not clearly designed as a hat or cap, might belong in Chapter 62 or 63 (e.g., 6217.90 for other made-up clothing accessories or 6307.90 for other made-up textile articles) rather than Chapter 65. Another frequent error involves protective helmets: while most fall under 6506.10, some highly specialized helmets, particularly those integrated into larger systems (e.g., a diver's helmet integral to a suit), might be classified with the primary article. Confusion also arises with toy hats or costume items; if the primary function is clearly play or entertainment rather than practical wear, they should be classified under Chapter 95 (e.g., 9503.00 for toys) instead of 65.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 65?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 65 in UN Comtrade data were China ($5.8B, 38% of world exports), Vietnam (about $1.4B) and Germany ($921M). World exports came to about $15.4B, 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 65?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 65 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($3.0B, 21% of world imports), Germany ($1.2B) and France ($832M). World imports came to about $14.3B, 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 65 structured?

HS code 65 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.