Pink XL Knee Pads
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6216009000 | 21.3% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 6216002600 | 24.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9506910030 | 22.1% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9506996080 | 21.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
AI Analysis
π©Ή Pink XL Knee Pads: Strategic HS Code Classification & 2026 Clearance Guide
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Strategy | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional-Level Compliance
π I. Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly Are "Knee Pads"?
Knee pads are protective gear designed to shield the knees from injury, impact, or pressure. In international trade, they are often misclassified due to ambiguity between "garments/gloves," "sports equipment," and "protective accessories."
Based on the provided data, there are four potential HS Code classifications for "Pink XL Knee Pads," depending on their material composition, intended use, and structural design:
- Textile/Glove Category: If made primarily of fabric/synthetic materials and categorized under gloves/hand protection logic.
- Coated/Chemical-Infused Textile: If the fabric has rubber/plastic coatings for enhanced durability.
- General Sports Equipment: If marketed broadly as "fitness gear" without specific athletic specialization.
- Other Sports Protective Gear: If categorized as "other" protective equipment for outdoor/indoor sports.
β οΈ Critical Distinction:
- Material Matters: Fabric-only vs. Coated/Flexible materials drastically change the HS Code.
- Use Case: "General fitness" vs. "Specialized sports protection" affects the duty rate.
- Origin: All tariffs below assume China Origin (CN) importing into USA, subject to additional levies.
π¦ II. HS Code Classification Matrix (2026 Latest Tariff Data)
| HS Code | Product Description | Material/Structure | Tax Rate | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6216.00.90.00 |
Knee Pads (Glove/Hand Protection Category) | Fabric or Synthetic Material | 21.3% | Base: 3.8% + 7.5% (Section 301) + 10% (Section 122) |
6216.00.26.00 |
Knee Pads (Coated Textile) | Fabric with Rubber/Plastic Coating | 24.5% | Base: 7.0% + 7.5% (Section 301) + 10% (Section 122) |
9506.91.00.30 |
General Sports/Fitness Equipment | Fabric or Elastic Material | 22.1% | Base: 4.6% + 7.5% (Section 301) + 10% (Section 122) |
9506.99.60.80 |
Other Sports Protective Gear | Other Protective Sports Items | 21.5% | Base: 4.0% + 7.5% (Section 301) + 10% (Section 122) |
π Key Takeaway:
- Lowest Duty:6216.00.90.00(21.3%) if classified under glove/hand protection logic.
- Highest Duty:6216.00.26.00(24.5%) if heavily coated with rubber/plastic.
- Mid-Range Options:9506.91.00.30and9506.99.60.80fall between 21.5%β22.1%.
π° III. Detailed Tariff Breakdown (2026 US-China Trade Rules)
β Applicable Country: United States (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: Current rates apply as per 2026 trade agreements.
π― 1. 6216.00.90.00 β Best Option for Fabric-Based Knee Pads
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 3.8% |
| Section 301 (China) | +7.5% |
| Section 122 (Special Measures) | +10% |
| Total Duty Rate | 21.3% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 21.3% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not Eligible (Deny de minimis) |
| Legal Reference | HTSUS:6216.00.90.00 β 301:7.5% β 122:10% |
π Explanation:
- This code places knee pads under glove/hand protection logic, which is unconventional but potentially beneficial if the productβs structure resembles padded gloves.
- Ideal for lightweight, fabric-based pink XL knee pads with no heavy rubber/plastic coatings.
π― 2. 6216.00.26.00 β Higher Duty for Coated Products
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 7.0% |
| Section 301 (China) | +7.5% |
| Section 122 (Special Measures) | +10% |
| Total Duty Rate | 24.5% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 24.5% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not Eligible |
| Legal Reference | HTSUS:6216.00.26.00 β 301:7.5% β 122:10% |
π Warning:
- If your knee pads have rubber/plastic coatings for waterproofing or durability, this code applies.
- Avoid unless necessary, as the 24.5% rate is the highest among all options.
π― 3. 9506.91.00.30 β General Sports Equipment Category
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 4.6% |
| Section 301 (China) | +7.5% |
| Section 122 (Special Measures) | +10% |
| Total Duty Rate | 22.1% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 22.1% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not Eligible |
| Legal Reference | HTSUS:9506.91.00.30 β 301:7.5% β 122:10% |
π Note:
- Suitable for general fitness knee pads (e.g., gym workouts, yoga, light exercise).
- Excludes specialized athletic gear (e.g., snowboarding, motocross).
π― 4. 9506.99.60.80 β "Other" Sports Protective Gear
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 4.0% |
| Section 301 (China) | +7.5% |
| Section 122 (Special Measures) | +10% |
| Total Duty Rate | 21.5% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 21.5% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not Eligible |
| Legal Reference | HTSUS:9506.99.60.80 β 301:7.5% β 122:10% |
π Use Case:
- Best for non-sport-specific protective knee pads (e.g., industrial use, medical recovery, general safety).
- Not for high-performance athletic gear.
π οΈ IV. Customs Clearance Strategy (Practical Tips to Avoid Delays)
β 1. Required Documentation
| Document | Mandatory? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| β Product Specification Sheet | βοΈ | Include material composition (fabric vs. coated), size (XL), color (Pink). |
| β Photos of Product | βοΈ | Show full view, label, and any coatings/treatments. |
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Clearly state: "Knee Pads, Pink, XL, [Material Description]." |
| β Packing List | βοΈ | Detail item count, weight, and dimensions. |
| β Third-Party Test Report | βοΈ | If claimed as "sports equipment," provide fitness safety certifications. |
| β Country of Origin Certificate | βοΈ | Required for Section 301 & 122 duty calculation. |
β 2. Naming & Declaration Best Practices
π₯ Golden Rule:
"Describe Material, Not Just Function!"
| Scenario | Correct Declaration | Risk if Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric-only knee pads | 6216.00.90.00 β "Textile Knee Pads for General Use" |
Under-declaration β Penalty + Back Taxes |
| Coated knee pads | 6216.00.26.00 β "Rubber-Coated Knee Pads" |
Over-declaration β Higher Duty |
| Gym/Fitness knee pads | 9506.91.00.30 β "General Sports Knee Pads" |
Misclassification β Delay + Inspection |
| Industrial/Medical knee pads | 9506.99.60.80 β "Protective Knee Support" |
Wrong Use Case β Rejection |
β 3. Special Cases & Exceptions
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| OEM Branded Knee Pads | Provide OEM contract + design files to prove origin and material specs. |
| Elastic/Sport-Specific Knee Pads | Classify under 9506.91.00.30 or 9506.99.60.80, not glove category. |
| Medical Recovery Knee Pads | Provide doctorβs note or medical device certification to support 9506.99.60.80. |
| Childrenβs vs. Adult Size | XL is adult; ensure size labeling matches HS Code logic (no child-specific codes here). |
π V. Global Market Comparison (2026)
| Market | Recommended HS Code | Duty Rate (China Origin) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 6216.00.90.00 |
21.3% | Best rate for fabric-based pads |
| π¨π³ China (Export) | 6216.00.90.00 |
0% | No export duty |
| πͺπΊ EU | 6216.00.90.00 |
4.7% | No Section 301/122 |
| π¬π§ UK | 6216.00.90.00 |
4.7% | Post-Brexit standard rate |
| π¦πΊ Australia | 9506.99.60.80 |
5.0% | Sports equipment category |
π Key Insight:
- USA has the highest duty burden due to Section 301 (7.5%) and Section 122 (10%).
- EU/UK/Australia offer significantly lower rates (4.7%β5.0%) if classified correctly.
π VI. Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Learn from Othersβ Errors)
β Mistake 1: Declaring "Knee Pads" without specifying material.
π Result: Customs flags for inspection β Delay + Potential Fine.
β
Fix: Always specify "Fabric" vs. "Rubber-Coated."
β Mistake 2: Using 9506.91.00.30 for industrial knee pads.
π Result: Misclassification β Higher duty or rejection.
β
Fix: Use 9506.99.60.80 for non-sports protective gear.
β Mistake 3: Ignoring Section 122 (10%) duty.
π Result: Unexpected cost surge at clearance.
β
Fix: Factor 21.3%β24.5% into your pricing model.
π― VII. Conclusion: Maximize Savings with Precision
π― Final Recommendations:
1. Best Code: 6216.00.90.00 (21.3%) for fabric-based pink XL knee pads.
2. Avoid: 6216.00.26.00 (24.5%) unless heavily coated.
3. Documentation: Always provide material specs, photos, and commercial invoices.
4. Pre-Clearance: Request Advance Ruling from US CBP if uncertain.
π Next Steps:
- π· Send product photos to your customs broker.
- π Prepare HS Code Advance Ruling application.
- π° Adjust FOB/CIF pricing to include 21.3%β24.5% duty.
β¨ Professional clearance starts with accurate classification!
πΌ Every cent saved in duty is pure profit!
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.