Textiles & Apparel HTS Classifier — USTradeStack

Q: What HTS chapters cover textiles and apparel?

Textiles and apparel are classified in HTS Chapters 50–63: Chapter 50 (silk), 51 (wool), 52 (cotton), 53 (other vegetable fibers), 54 (man-made filament), 55 (man-made staple fibers), 56 (wadding, felt, nonwovens), 57 (carpets), 58 (special woven fabrics), 59 (impregnated fabrics), 60 (knitted/crocheted fabrics), 61 (knitted apparel), 62 (woven apparel), 63 (other made-up textile articles). The fiber content and construction method determine the specific chapter and heading.

Q: What are the typical MFN duty rates for apparel imported into the US?

US apparel MFN rates are among the highest in the WTO schedule: men's cotton shirts (6205.20) 19.7%, women's knit tops (6110.20) 16.5–32%, wool suits (6104.31) 12%, athletic footwear (6404.11) 20%, leather footwear (6403.99) 8.5–17.6%. The average MFN rate across HTS Chapters 61–62 is approximately 12–15%, compared to 3.4% for all other goods. Countries without US FTAs (China, Vietnam, Bangladesh) pay full MFN rates.

Q: What is the rule of classification for apparel by fiber composition?

For mixed-fiber garments, HTS classification follows the essential character rule (GRI 3b): classify by the component that gives the article its essential character — typically the fiber present in the greatest weight. A garment that is 60% cotton and 40% polyester is classified in the cotton heading (52/62) not the man-made fiber heading (55/61). When weight is equal, the classification defaults to the heading that appears last in numerical order in the HTS.

Q: Does Section 301 apply to textiles and apparel from China?

Yes. Section 301 List 3 applies to apparel and textile products from China at 25%. This stacks on top of already-high MFN rates. A Chinese knit top with a base MFN of 32% + Section 301 of 25% = 57% effective duty. This is a primary driver of the shift in apparel sourcing from China to Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia.

Q: What is yarn-forward vs. fabric-forward for apparel FTA eligibility?

Apparel FTA rules of origin differ by agreement: CAFTA-DR and most US FTAs use 'yarn-forward' — yarn must be spun in an FTA country, woven/knit into fabric, and sewn into garments within FTA territory. AGOA (Africa) uses a 'fabric-forward' or even third-country fabric rule for LDCs. US-Vietnam trade has no FTA as of 2026 — Vietnam apparel pays full MFN + no Section 301 (only applies to China). Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka also pay MFN only.

Q: What is the tariff rate for footwear from China vs. Vietnam?

Athletic footwear (HTS 6404.11): MFN base 20%. From China: 20% MFN + 25% Section 301 = 45% + 15% Section 122 = 60% effective. From Vietnam: 20% MFN only (no Section 301, no FTA) = 20% + 15% Section 122 = 35%. From Mexico (USMCA compliant): 0% USMCA + 15% Section 122 = 15%. Leather footwear (6403.99) MFN: 8.5–17.6% depending on subheading.

USTradeStack

HTS Code Classifier

HTS Classifier for Textiles & Apparel — Chapters 50–63

HTS Chapters 50–63 are the most classification-intensive section of the tariff schedule — fiber content, construction method, gender, and end use all determine the specific 10-digit code and duty rate (which can reach 32% for some apparel). This classifier is pre-loaded for textiles and apparel: describe your product's fiber, construction, and intended use to get the correct HTS code and current duty rate instantly.

Highest MFN Rate

32%

Women's knit tops (6110.20) — highest in HTS

HTS Chapters

50–63

14 chapters · Fiber type determines chapter

China Section 301

+25%

Stacks on top of base MFN rates for all Ch. 50–63

Avg. Apparel MFN (Chs. 61–62)

~14%

vs. 3.4% average for all other goods

HTS Classifier — Textiles & Apparel (Pre-filled)

Describe your product: fiber type (cotton, polyester, wool), construction (knit or woven), garment type, and gender — get the 10-digit HTS code instantly

Apparel MFN Duty Rates — Common HTS Codes (2026)

HTS Code	Product	MFN Rate	From China (MFN+301)
6110.20.20	Men's cotton sweatshirts	16.5%	41.5%
6110.20.10	Women's cotton knit tops	32%	57%
6205.20.20	Men's cotton woven shirts	19.7%	44.7%
6204.62.40	Women's cotton jeans/pants	16.6%	41.6%
6203.42.40	Men's cotton jeans	16.6%	41.6%
6104.31.00	Women's wool suits (knit)	12%	37%
6103.31.00	Men's wool suits (knit)	27.5%	52.5%
6115.20.90	Hosiery/socks, cotton	14.6%	39.6%
6211.42.01	Women's cotton jackets (NES)	10.8%	35.8%
6404.11.90	Athletic footwear, textile upper	20%	45%
6403.99.60	Leather footwear, women's	10%	35%
5208.21.60	Cotton fabric, plain weave, unbleached	6%	31%

Section 122 (15%) applies through July 24, 2026 — stacks on all rates. Exact HTS code depends on fiber content %, construction, and finish. Use the classifier above for your specific product.

Critical Rules for Textiles & Apparel HTS Classification

Fiber Content Determines Chapter: The primary fiber (by weight) determines which chapter applies. Cotton >50% by weight = Ch. 52 (fabric) or Ch. 61/62 (garments). Wool >50% = Ch. 51/61/62. Man-made filament >50% = Ch. 54/61/62. Mixed fiber garments classify by the dominant fiber.
Knit vs. Woven: For garments, Chapter 61 = knit/crocheted (stretchy, jersey); Chapter 62 = woven (non-stretch, shirts, trousers, jackets). This distinction matters: a men's cotton T-shirt is 6109 (Ch. 61, knit); a men's cotton dress shirt is 6205 (Ch. 62, woven). Wrong chapter = wrong duty rate.
Gender and Construction Rules: US HTS distinguishes garments by gender, sometimes by construction method (bifurcated vs. not bifurcated for trousers). Misclassifying men's vs. women's cuts can change the duty rate significantly (men's wool suits 27.5% vs. women's suits 12%).
Yarn-Forward FTA Rules: To qualify for preferential tariff rates under CAFTA-DR, KORUS, or other US FTAs, apparel typically must meet "yarn-forward" rules — yarn spun, fabric woven/knit, and garments cut and sewn all within FTA territory. Check FTA Optimizer for eligibility.
Quota and Visa Requirements: Some textiles still require export visas or are subject to quota from certain countries. CBP's CATTS (Automated Textile Production Verification) monitors textile imports. Ensure proper documentation of country of origin and fiber content certification.

Frequently Asked Questions — Textiles & Apparel HTS Classification

What HTS chapters cover textiles and apparel? +

Textiles and apparel span HTS Chapters 50–63: Ch. 50–55 cover fiber and yarn, Ch. 57–60 cover fabric, Ch. 61 covers knit/crocheted garments, Ch. 62 covers woven garments, Ch. 63 covers other made-up textile articles (bedding, bags, home textiles). Footwear (Ch. 64) is separate but closely related — athletic shoes with textile uppers can classify as textiles (6404) or footwear depending on the upper material.

What are typical MFN duty rates for US apparel imports? +

US apparel rates are among the highest in the WTO schedule. Common rates: men's cotton shirts (6205.20): 19.7%, women's knit tops (6110.20): 16.5–32%, wool suits (6103.31): 27.5%, athletic footwear (6404.11): 20%, leather footwear (6403.99): 8.5–17.6%. Average across Chs. 61–62: ~12–15% vs. 3.4% for all goods.

Does Section 301 apply to apparel from China? +

Yes. Section 301 List 3 (25%) applies to all textile and apparel HTS codes from China (Chapters 50–63). This stacks on already-high MFN rates: a Chinese T-shirt at 19.7% MFN faces 44.7% effective duty (19.7% + 25%) + Section 122 (15%) = 59.7% in 2026. This is a major driver of apparel sourcing shifts to Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia.

How does fiber content determine HTS classification? +

For mixed-fiber garments, classify by the fiber present in the greatest weight percentage. A garment that is 60% cotton, 40% polyester classifies in the cotton heading (Chapter 52 for fabric, or Ch. 61/62 for garments). When two fibers are equal weight, classify by the heading appearing last in numerical order in the HTS (i.e., polyester/man-made fiber after cotton).

What are yarn-forward rules for US FTA apparel? +

Most US FTAs (CAFTA-DR, KORUS, US-Jordan) require apparel to meet "yarn-forward" rules: yarn must be spun, fabric woven/knit, and garments cut & sewn within FTA territory to qualify for preferential (0%) duty. Limited Tariff Preference Levels (TPLs) exist for specific countries. AGOA sub-Saharan African countries may use third-country fabric for LDC beneficiaries.

What is the duty rate for athletic footwear from Vietnam? +

Athletic footwear from Vietnam (HTS 6404.11): 20% base MFN — Vietnam has no US FTA, so full MFN applies. No Section 301 (301 applies only to China). Section 122 (15%, active through Jul 2026) stacks = 35% effective. Compared to China sourcing: 20% MFN + 25% S.301 + 15% S.122 = 60%. Vietnam is the dominant athletic footwear sourcing alternative to China.

Get Textiles & Apparel Tariff Updates

Section 301 exclusions for apparel, HTS schedule changes, and origin rule updates — weekly.

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Educational estimates only — final classification determined by CBP at time of entry. Fiber content % must be verified against actual product. Consult a licensed customs broker for binding classification. Rates effective April 2026. AI Disclaimer · Terms