Textiles & Apparel

Complete guide to HS codes for fabrics, garments, and textile products

Average Duty Rate

5% (most garments)

Common HS Chapters

Ch. 61-62 (Apparel), Ch. 54-60 (Fabrics)

Key Factor

Knitted vs. Woven affects classification

Documentation

Fiber content certification required

Industry Overview

The textile and apparel industry covers raw materials like cotton and synthetic fibers, woven and knitted fabrics, finished garments, and accessories. HS code classification is crucial for determining duty rates, quota eligibility, and compliance with labeling requirements. The GCC textile market imports exceed $15 billion annually, with specific regulations for fabric composition, flammability standards, and country-of-origin labeling.

Textile & Apparel Regulations

Fiber Content Labeling - All textile products must be labeled with fiber composition percentages in Arabic and English
Flammability Standards - Children's sleepwear and certain home textiles must meet GSO flammability requirements
Country of Origin - 'Made in' labels mandatory, with specific rules for determining origin in multi-country production
Care Instructions - Washing and care symbols required on all garments, following international standards

Common Classification Challenges & Solutions

Knitted (Chapter 61) vs. Woven (Chapter 62) garments

Solution: Examine fabric construction: If loops interlock (like a sweater), it's knitted. If threads cross at right angles, it's woven. Check fabric selvage edge for confirmation.

Blended fabrics with multiple fiber types

Solution: Classify by weight - the fiber with highest percentage by weight determines the HS code. Cotton 60%, polyester 40% = cotton product (Chapter 52/61/62).

Sets and composite garments (e.g., suits, track suits)

Solution: If sold as a set in retail packaging: classify as a set using the appropriate HS code (e.g., 6203.11 for men's suits). Individual pieces shipped separately use individual codes.

Best Practices

1
Always determine if fabric is knitted or woven first - this is the primary classification factor for garments
2
Document fiber composition with lab test certificates if content is not clearly visible
3
For blended fabrics, calculate weight percentages accurately - this determines the HS chapter
4
Include care label information in shipment documentation to support classification
5
For children's clothing, specify age range - different HS codes apply for different age groups
6
Keep detailed records of manufacturing process for country-of-origin determinations