Men's or boys' swimwear
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6112410030 | 34.9% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 6211121010 | 21.8% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 6112410010 | 42.4% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 6112310020 | 43.4% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 6112390010 | 30.7% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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AI Analysis
πββοΈ Men's & Boys' Swimwear (Swimming Suits & Trunks)
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Duty Rate Analysis | Strategic Entry Strategy
π I. Product Definition: What Exactly Is "Swimwear"?
Men's and boys' swimwear is a specialized category of clothing designed specifically for swimming, water sports, and beach activities. In international trade, classification depends heavily on material composition (synthetic vs. man-made vs. cotton/non-silk), construction method (knitted vs. woven), and target demographic (men vs. boys).
Key distinctions determine the HS Code and duty rates: * Material: "Synthetic" (e.g., polyester, nylon) vs. "Man-made" (e.g., viscose, rayon) vs. "Cotton/Non-silk". * Construction: Knitted (stretchy, jersey-like) vs. Woven (tightly woven, structured). * Design: "Swimwear" (full suits) vs. "Sports Trunks/Shorts" (swim shorts for boys).
β οΈ Critical Classification Traps:
- Misidentifying Knitted items as Woven (or vice versa) can lead to 10%β20% higher duties.
- Confusing "Synthetic" with "Man-made" fibers changes the base tariff from ~25% to ~12%.
- Boys' swim trunks have their own specific sub-category distinct from general men's swimwear.
π¦ II. HS Code Breakdown & Duty Matrix (2026 Tariff Schedule)
| HS Code | Product Description | Material & Construction | Target Group | Total Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6112.41.00.30 |
Swimwear, Synthetic Fibers, Knitted | Synthetic (Polyester/Nylon), Knitted | Men/Boys (General) | 34.9% |
6211.12.10.10 |
Swimwear, Man-made Fibers, Woven | Man-made (Viscose/Rayon), Woven | Men/Boys (General) | 21.8% |
6112.41.00.10 |
Swimwear, Synthetic Fibers, Knitted | Synthetic, Knitted (Specific Sub-category) | Men/Boys (General) | 42.4% |
6112.31.00.20 |
Boys' Sports Swim Trunks | Synthetic, Knitted | Boys Only | 43.4% |
6112.39.00.10 |
Boys' Sports Swim Trunks | Cotton/Non-silk, Knitted | Boys Only | 30.7% |
π Deep Dive into the Codes:
-6112.41.00.30: High-risk synthetic knitted swimwear. Base 24.9% + Add-on 0%.
-6211.12.10.10: Lowest Duty Option (21.8%) for man-made woven suits.
-6112.41.00.10: Highest Risk (42.4%) due to 7.5% additional "Section 301" tariff on synthetics.
-6112.31.00.20&6112.39.00.10: Specific for Boys' Trunks. The material dictates the rate: Synthetic (43.4%) vs. Cotton (30.7%).
π° III. 2026 Tax Rate Detailed Analysis (U.S. Market)
β Target Market: United States (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: Post-November 2025
β Tax Structure: Base Tariff + Section 301 (7.5%) + Section 122 (10%)
π― 1. 6112.41.00.30 & 6112.41.00.10 β Synthetic Knitted Swimwear
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 24.9% (Standard MFN rate for synthetic knitted swimwear) |
| Section 301 (Add-on) | 0.0% (for .30) vs. 7.5% (for .10) |
| Section 122 Tariff | 10.0% (Mandatory surcharge on specific categories) |
| Total Duty | 34.9% (for .30) or 42.4% (for .10) |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ Total Rate |
| De Minimis Exemption | β NOT APPLICABLE (These are textiles, not eligible for $800 exemption) |
| Legal Basis | USITC Footnotes + Section 122 of Trade Act + Section 301 Tariff List |
π Explanation:
-6112.41.00.10incurs an extra 7.5% due to the "Section 301" punitive tariffs on specific textile synthetics.
-6112.41.00.30avoids this extra 7.5% but still carries the standard 10% Section 122 tariff.
- Total impact: Up to 42.4% on synthetic knitted suits from China.
π― 2. 6211.12.10.10 β Man-made Woven Swimwear
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 11.8% (Lower base for man-made woven items) |
| Section 301 (Add-on) | 0.0% |
| Section 122 Tariff | 10.0% |
| Total Duty | 21.8% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 21.8% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β NOT APPLICABLE |
| Legal Basis | USITC + Section 122 |
π Strategic Note:
If your product can be classified as "Woven" and made of "Man-made" (not synthetic) fibers, you save ~20% in duties compared to synthetic knitted versions!
π― 3. Boys' Swim Trunks (6112.31.00.20 vs 6112.39.00.10)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 25.9% (Synthetic) vs. 13.2% (Cotton/Non-silk) |
| Section 301 (Add-on) | 7.5% (Applicable to both) |
| Section 122 Tariff | 10.0% |
| Total Duty | 43.4% (Synthetic) vs. 30.7% (Cotton) |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ Total Rate |
| De Minimis Exemption | β NOT APPLICABLE |
π Critical Warning:
For boys' swim trunks, using Cotton instead of Synthetic reduces the total tax burden by 12.7% (from 43.4% to 30.7%). However, cotton is less common for high-performance swimwear.
π οΈ IV. Customs Clearance Best Practices & Pitfall Avoidance
β 1. Essential Documentation Checklist
| Document | Requirement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed Product Specs | βοΈ Required | Must specify: Knitted vs. Woven, Synthetic vs. Man-made vs. Cotton, Men vs. Boys. |
| Fabric Content Certificate | βοΈ Required | Third-party lab report proving fiber composition. Critical for distinguishing 6112 (knitted) vs 6211 (woven). |
| Technical Construction Diagram | βοΈ Required | Shows stitching type (knitted loops vs. woven weave) to prevent misclassification. |
| Commercial Invoice | βοΈ Required | Must explicitly state: "Men's/Boys' Swimwear," Fiber %, and Knitted/Woven status. |
| Packaging Photos | βοΈ Required | Show if "swim trunks" are packed as "swimwear" or "shorts". |
β 2. Strategic Declaration Tips (The "Golden Rules")
π₯ Rule #1: "Fiber & Weave Define Duty"
- Synthetic + Knitted = High Duty (34.9%β43.4%).
- Man-made + Woven = Low Duty (21.8%).
- Cotton + Knitted (Boys) = Medium Duty (30.7%).
| Scenario | Correct HS Code | Incorrect Code | Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic Knitted Suit | 6112.41.00.30 |
6211.12.10.10 (Woven) |
Overpay 13% tax if declared wrong; Underpay if declared as 6211 and audited β Penalties! |
| Boys' Cotton Trunks | 6112.39.00.10 |
6112.31.00.20 (Synthetic) |
Overpay 12.7% tax |
| Men's Woven Man-made | 6211.12.10.10 |
6112.41.00.10 (Knitted) |
Underpay tax (21.8% vs 42.4%) β Severe Customs Penalty + Seizure |
β 3. Special Handling Scenarios
| Situation | Action Plan |
|---|---|
| OEM/ODM Orders | Provide design sheets proving "Swimwear" function. Do not use generic "Shorts" description. |
| Mixed Materials | If fabric is 60% Nylon, 40% Spandex β Classify as Synthetic. |
| Boys' vs. Men's | Ensure size labels and marketing materials clearly state "Boys". Mislabeling boys' items as men's can trigger higher duties or anti-dumping checks. |
| "Sport Shorts" vs. "Swim Trunks" | If labeled as "Athletic Shorts" but used for swimming, Customs may still classify as Swimwear. Be precise in description. |
π V. Market Comparison (U.S. vs. Global)
| Country | Recommended HS Code | Base Duty | Section 301 | Section 122 | Total Duty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 6112.41.00.30 |
24.9% | 0% | 10% | 34.9% |
| πΊπΈ USA (Boys Cotton) | 6112.39.00.10 |
13.2% | 7.5% | 10% | 30.7% |
| πΊπΈ USA (Man-made Woven) | 6211.12.10.10 |
11.8% | 0% | 10% | 21.8% |
| π¨π³ China | 6112.41.00 |
24.9% | N/A | N/A | 24.9% |
| πͺπΊ EU | 6112.41.00 |
0% (Free Trade) | N/A | N/A | 0% |
| π―π΅ Japan | 6112.41.00 |
0% | N/A | N/A | 0% |
π Conclusion:
- U.S. Market: Highly punitive for synthetic knitted swimwear (up to 43.4%).
- Alternative Strategy: Consider Man-made Woven (21.8%) or Cotton (30.7%) if product quality allows.
- EU/Japan: No Section 301 or Section 122 taxes. Much easier to export.
π VI. Common Errors & "Blood & Tears" Lessons
β Mistake 1: Declaring Synthetic Knitted as Woven (6211) to save 20%.
π Result: Customs audit reveals knitted structure. 100% back-tax + 10% penalty + Seizure.
β Mistake 2: Calling Boys' Trunks "Men's Swimwear".
π Result: May trigger anti-dumping duties or wrong HS Code (6112.41.00.10 vs 6112.31.00.20).
β Mistake 3: Missing the Section 122 10% Tariff.
π Result: Under-budgeting. Every shipment pays an extra 10% on top of the base rate.
β Mistake 4: Using generic "Swim Shorts" instead of "Swimwear".
π Result: Customs may classify as "Shorts" (different rate) or reject as "Not Swimsuit". Delay + Storage Fees.
β Correct Approach:
"Men's Knitted Swim Trunks, 100% Polyester, Model XYZ, Size M. Explicitly state: 'Synthetic Fibers, Knitted Construction' in invoice."
π― VII. Final Verdict: Strategic Clearance
π― Key Takeaway:
πΉ "Material & Weave are King": Synthetic Knitted = High Tax (34.9%β43.4%). Man-made Woven = Low Tax (21.8%).
πΉ "Boys' Category Matters": Boys' Cotton Trunks = 30.7% (Cheaper than synthetic).
πΉ "Section 122 is Mandatory": Always add 10% to your base calculation.
πΉ "De Minimis is Dead": Do NOT try to ship these under $800 exemption. They are textiles.
π Pro Tip:
If you are exporting from Vietnam, Thailand, or Mexico, check for Section 301 exemptions (if applicable).
For China-origin, pre-clearance or Bonded Warehouse strategies can help manage cash flow for these high duties.
π£ Immediate Action:
π Verify Fiber Content before shipping.
π Declare "Knitted/Woven" and "Synthetic/Man-made" clearly on the Invoice.
π Calculate Duty:CIF Γ (Base + 0/7.5 + 10).
πΌ Profit Margin Check: If your margin is <15%, the 43.4% duty might kill your deal!
β¨ Professional Clearance Starts with Precision!
π° Every Dollar Saved Starts with the Right HS Code!
Customer Reviews
About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.