HS Code 65.05 – Hats 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 trimmed

HS code 6505 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Hats 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 trimmed. Heading 6505 of the Harmonized System (HS) covers a diverse range of hats and other headgear, specifically those that are knitted or crocheted, or made up from lace, felt, or other textile fabric. A critical distinction here is that for felt or other textile fabric, the material must be 'in the piece' (i.e., not in strips) when made up into headgear. This heading also uniquely includes hair-nets of any material, whether or not lined or trimmed. Its scope is defined by the material and construction method, encompassing everything from everyday beanies and baseball caps to more elaborate felt fedoras and lace fascinators, provided they meet the textile fabric or knitted/crocheted criteria. For trade compliance professionals, accurately classifying under 6505 is crucial due to potential differences in duty rates, textile quotas, and rules of origin, which are often tied to specific fabric types or manufacturing processes. This heading is a cornerstone of Chapter 65, 'Headgear and parts thereof,' providing a specific home for the vast majority of consumer-oriented textile headwear, differentiating it from headgear made of other materials (like plastic or leather, found in 6506) or mere parts of headgear (6507). Understanding these boundaries is paramount to avoid misclassification penalties and ensure smooth international trade operations.

Knitted beanies, crocheted skullcaps, cotton baseball caps, wool felt fedoras, textile sun hats, fabric bucket hats, knitted balaclavas, lace fascinators, fabric turbans, knitted headbands (as headgear), crocheted bonnets, textile cowboy hats, fabric cloche hats, textile legionnaire hats, knitted ear warmers (as headgear), fabric chef hats, textile nurse caps, nylon hair-nets, silk hair-nets, polyester hair-nets, acrylic knitted berets, fabric sports visors, denim caps, fleece winter hats, linen sun hats.

Common misclassifications under 6505 often arise from material distinctions. Traders frequently confuse textile headgear (6505) with headgear made from other materials like plastic, rubber, fur, or leather (6506). For instance, a plastic visor would fall under 6506, while a fabric visor is 6505. Another error is classifying parts of headgear, such as hat peaks or linings, under 6505; these belong in 6507. Lastly, general textile accessories like decorative headbands that don't primarily function as headgear might be misclassified here instead of under Chapter 61 or 62 (e.g., 6117 or 6217 for other made-up clothing accessories), depending on their construction.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 6505 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.4B, 39% of world exports), Vietnam (about $1.0B) and Bangladesh (about $651M). World exports came to about $8.6B, 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 6505 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.2B, 26% of world imports), Germany ($589M) and Japan ($508M). World imports came to about $8.2B, 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 6505 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 65 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (65) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (05) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.