Product classification
HS code for Plaited hat bodies: 6502.00
Hat-shapes, plaited or made by assembling strips of any material, neither blocked to shape, nor with made brims, nor lined, nor trimmed.
Classification of plaited hat bodies under HS 6502.00
Plaited hat bodies are classified under HS code 6502.00. This heading is dedicated to hat-shapes that are produced by plaiting or by assembling strips of any material, including straw, wood shavings, bark, or synthetic fibers. A defining characteristic for classification under 6502.00 is that the items must be in a semi-finished state. Specifically, they must not have been blocked to shape, must not have made brims, and must not be lined or trimmed. These items are often referred to as "hoods" or "plateaux" in the millinery trade. The classification is determined by the construction method (plaiting or assembling strips) and the lack of finishing. Once a hat body is shaped into a specific hat form using heat or pressure (blocking) or receives decorative elements, it no longer qualifies for this heading. This code ensures that raw materials for the headgear industry are distinguished from finished consumer goods.
- Covers
- Unblocked straw hat hoods
- Plaited paper-strip hat bodies
- Unfinished sisal hat shapes
- Hemp hat bodies (untrimmed and unlined)
- Man-made fiber plaited hat forms
- Also under 6502.00
- Ecuadorian Panama hat blanks (unblocked)
- Balinese woven hat forms
- Mexican palm hat bodies
- Vietnamese conical hat frames (untrimmed)
- Italian straw hat shapes
Codes often confused with 6502.00
Common mistake. Plaited hat bodies are most commonly misclassified under HS code 6504.00, which covers finished hats and other headgear made by plaiting or assembling strips. The distinction is that 6504.00 applies to hats that are blocked, lined, or trimmed. Another common error is confusing them with 6501.00, which covers hat-forms, hat bodies, and hoods of felt. While both 6501 and 6502 cover semi-finished headgear, 6501 is strictly for felted materials, whereas 6502 is for plaited or strip-assembled materials.
Top exporters and importers of HS 650200 (the code used for plaited hat bodies), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 650200 (the code used for plaited hat bodies) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 65% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 41% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 650200, not only plaited hat bodies.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $15M 65% of world exports
- 2 Ecuador $4.0M 17% of world exports
- 3 United States $1.4M 6.1% of world exports
World total: $23M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $11M 41% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $3.9M 14% of world imports
- 3 Italy $3.4M 12% of world imports
World total: $27M 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 codes for plaited hat bodies
Brazil splits HS 6502.00 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 6502.00.10Fine-straw hat-shapes (manila, panama)
- 6502.00.90Other plaited or strip hat-shapes
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about plaited hat bodies
What is the HS code for Plaited hat bodies?
The HS code for Plaited hat bodies is 650200 (Hat-shapes; plaited or made by assembling strips of any material, neither blocked to shape, nor with made brims, nor lined, nor trimmed). The HS code for plaited or strip-assembled hat bodies that are unblocked and untrimmed is 6502.00.
How do I classify Plaited hat bodies for customs?
Plaited hat bodies is classified under HS code 650200 — Hat-shapes; plaited or made by assembling strips of any material, neither blocked to shape, nor with made brims, nor lined, nor trimmed. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can a finished straw hat be classified under 6502.00?
No, a finished straw hat that has been blocked to shape or trimmed must be classified under HS code 6504.00.
Which countries are the top exporters of plaited hat bodies (HS 650200)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 650200 (the code used for plaited hat bodies) in UN Comtrade data were China ($15M, 65% of world exports), Ecuador ($4.0M) and the United States ($1.4M). World exports came to about $23M, 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 plaited hat bodies (HS 650200)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 650200 (the code used for plaited hat bodies) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($11M, 41% of world imports), Mexico ($3.9M) and Italy ($3.4M). World imports came to about $27M, 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.
Is the HS code for Plaited hat bodies the same in all countries?
The base HS code 650200 for Plaited hat bodies is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for plaited hat bodies in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 650200 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for plaited hat bodies depends on the product's details: 6502.00.10 (Fine-straw hat-shapes (manila, panama)), 6502.00.90 (Other plaited or strip hat-shapes).