Cami Top

👙 Cami Top (Women's Camisole/Tank Top)

🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Entry Strategy
📌 I. Product Definition & Classification: Do You Really Know the "Cami Top"?

A Cami Top (Cami) is a lightweight, sleeveless upper garment, typically featuring thin straps and a low neckline. In international trade, it is classified based on knitting vs. weaving and fiber content. The classification drastically affects the duty rate, especially under current US-China trade restrictions (Section 301 & Section 122).

⚠️ Key Distinction Point:
- If made of knitted fabric (stretchy, looped yarn) → Falls under Chapter 61.
- If made of woven fabric (non-stretchy, cross-hatched yarn) → Falls under Chapter 62.
- Material matters: Cotton vs. Synthetic vs. Other Textiles determine the Base Duty Rate.

📦 II. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Comparison)

Based on the provided data, here are the five specific HS Codes associated with Cami Tops, their summaries, and tax implications.

🔍 Key Insight:
- Knitted (Ch. 61) items generally have higher base duties (8.7%–28.2%) than the specific Woven (Ch. 62) item listed here.
- Section 122 Tariffs apply uniformly (+10%) to all these categories for Chinese origin.
- Section 301 (7.5%) applies uniformly to all these categories for Chinese origin.
- Base Duty varies significantly: From 8.7% (Woven) to 28.2% (Knitted/Artificial).

💰 III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including Surcharges & Policy Add-ons)

✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN)
✅ Effective Time: Current (Includes Section 301 & Section 122 measures)

🎯 1. 6114.20.00.10 —— Knitted, Cotton Base

Most Common for Basic Cotton Camisoles

📌 Explanation:
- This code targets Knitted garments made primarily of Cotton.
- Base duty is moderate at 10.8%.
- Total effective tax is 28.3%, which is relatively lower compared to synthetic/artificial fiber knitted tops.

🎯 2. 6108.92.00.30 —— Knitted, Artificial Fiber/Cotton Mix

Common for Polyester or Blends

📌 Explanation:
- This code covers Knitted items made of Artificial Fibers (e.g., Polyester, Rayon) or specific cotton blends.
- Base duty jumps to 16.0%.
- Total tax rises to 33.5%.

🎯 3. 6108.92.00.15 —— Knitted, Other Textile Fibers

Less Common Materials (e.g., Wool, Silk, or Other Synthetics)

📌 Explanation:
- Similar to the above, but for Other Textile Fibers.
- Tax rate is identical: 33.5%.
- Crucial to specify "Other Fibers" correctly to avoid misclassification penalties.

🎯 4. 6114.30.10.20 —— Knitted, High Base Duty Category

Highest Tax Bracket for Knitted Items

📌 Explanation:
- This is the most expensive classification in the dataset.
- High base duty of 28.2% suggests a specific sub-category of knitted articles (possibly luxury fibers or specific garment types not fully detailed but implied as "Knitted/Artificial").
- Total Tax: 45.7% – Significant cost impact.

🎯 5. 6208.19.90.00 —— Woven, Other Textile Materials

Lowest Total Tax Rate in Dataset

📌 Explanation:
- Woven fabrics (non-stretchy) are classified here.
- Despite having the same surcharges (7.5% + 10%), the base duty is lowest (8.7%).
- Total Tax: 26.2% – This is the most cost-effective classification if the garment is truly woven.

🛠️ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Avoid Pitfalls)

✅ 1. Preparation Checklist (Must-Have Documents)

✅ 2. Declaration Tips (Key Strategy)

🔥 "Knit or Woven? Fiber Content is King! Get it wrong, tax doubles!"

📌 Critical Note:
- Section 122 (10%) and Section 301 (7.5%) are non-negotiable for Chinese-origin goods.
- Focus on reducing the Base Duty by correctly identifying Knitted/Woven and Fiber Type.

✅ 3. Special Circumstances

🌍 V. Global Market Comparison (2026 Snapshot)

📌 Conclusion:
- The US market is uniquely expensive for textile imports from China due to the 27.5% combined surcharges (7.5% + 10%).
- Strategy: Optimize Base Duty. Woven items (6208.19.90.00) are cheaper (26.2%) than Knitted Cotton (6114.20.00.10 at 28.3%) if the design allows.

📌 VI. Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Lessons Learned)

❌ Mistake 1: Declaring all Camis as "T-Shirts"
👉 Consequence: Wrong HS Code (6109 vs 6114) → Audit risk.
✅ Fix: Use "Cami Top" or "Tank Top" in description, specify "Knitted".

❌ Mistake 2: Ignoring Fiber Content
👉 Consequence: Cotton (10.8% base) vs. Synthetic (16.0% base) → 5.2% tax difference.
✅ Fix: Always include "100% Cotton" or "100% Polyester" on Invoice.

❌ Mistake 3: Assuming Knitted = Weaveable
👉 Consequence: 6114 (Knitted) vs 6208 (Woven). If you claim Woven but it's Knitted, Customs will reclassify and charge higher base duty.
✅ Fix: Provide fabric photo showing looped structure (Knit) vs. cross-hatch (Woven).

🎯 VII. Conclusion: Smart Classification, Lower Costs!

🎯 Remember the Rules:

🔹 "Knit or Woven? First Decision!"
🔹 "Cotton is King (28.3%), Synthetics Cost More (33.5%), Woven is Cheapest (26.2%)!"
🔹 "Sec 122 + Sec 301 = 27.5% Extra Tax on Everything from China!"

📌 Pro Tip:
If your Cami Top is 100% Cotton and Knitted, use 6114.20.00.10 (28.3%).
If it is Woven, use 6208.19.90.00 (26.2%) – Save 2.1%.
If it is Synthetic Knitted, you pay 33.5% or 45.7%. Avoid synthetics if possible to minimize tax.

📣 Immediate Action:

📞 Verify Fabric Type: Knitted vs. Woven.
📄 Check Fiber Content: Cotton % vs. Synthetic %.
🚀 Select Correct HS Code from the 5 options above.
💡 Your profit margin depends on this 5-digit code!

✨ Professional Clearance, Starts with Precision!
💼 Every Percent Saved is Profit Gained!