Wool or Fine Animal Hair Flocked Woven Fabric

🧶 Wool & Fine Animal Hair Flocked Woven Fabric (羊毛/细动物毛制起绒机织物)

🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Clearance Strategy
📌 I. Product Definition: What Exactly Is "Flocked Woven Fabric"?

"Flocked Woven Fabric" (often referred to as 起绒机织物 in Chinese customs contexts) belongs to Chapter 51 (Wool, Fine or Coarse Animal Hair, Horsehair Cloth). It is a specialized textile where short fibers (flock) are vertically erected and fixed on a base fabric using adhesive, creating a velvet-like or textured surface.

Key Distinctions: * Wool/Fine Animal Hair Base: The fundamental material must be wool or fine animal hair (e.g., cashmere, mohair, alpaca). * Woven Construction: The base structure is woven, not knitted. This is a critical distinction from Chapter 61 (Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories, Knitted or Crocheted). * Flocking/Plush Texture: The defining feature is the raised surface texture achieved through flocking or brushing, distinguishing it from plain woven cloth.

⚠️ Critical Classification Point:
- If the fabric is woven with a flocked/plush surface → Goes to Chapter 51 (e.g., 5111.xx).
- If the fabric is knitted or crocheted and used for apparel parts → Goes to Chapter 61 (e.g., 6117.90).
- Do not confuse "flocked woven fabric" with "knitted sweater parts." The latter is classified under Chapter 61, not Chapter 51.

📦 II. HS Code Classification Details (Based on Provided Data)

Based on the provided <DATA>, there are three specific classifications for wool/fine animal hair textiles, depending on the exact structure (woven vs. knitted) and application.

🔍 Key Insight:
The term "Flocked Woven Fabric" explicitly points to 5111.19.60.80 because it specifies Woven (机织物).
The other two codes (6117.90...) apply to Knitted/Crocheted (针织/钩编) items, typically used for clothing parts. Misclassification here can lead to significant duty differences due to Section 301/122 tariffs.

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

✅ Applicable Country: USA (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN)
✅ Effective Time: 2025 onwards (includes subsequent imports)

🎯 1. 5111.19.60.80 —— Wool/Fine Animal Hair Flocked Woven Fabric

This is the direct match for "Wool or Fine Animal Hair Flocked Woven Fabric."

📌 Explanation:
- Base Duty (25%): Standard MFN rate for wool woven fabrics.
- Section 301 (25%): Trump-era/Biden-era tariffs on Chinese textiles.
- Section 122 (10%): Additional duty under International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) or specific trade actions.
- Total 60%: This is a very high tariff. Importers must account for this in pricing strategies.

🎯 2. 6117.90.10.10 —— Wool/Fine Hair Knitted Sweater Parts

Note: This code is for knitted parts, not woven flocked fabric. Included for comparison only.

📌 Comparison:
If you mistakenly classify woven flocked fabric as knitted parts (6117.90.10.10), the duty drops from 60% to 19.8%. However, this is incorrect classification if the product is truly woven. Customs will penalize for misdeclaration.

🎯 3. 6117.90.90.05 —— Wool/Fine Hair Knitted Parts (Other)

🛠️ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Real-World Pitfall Guide)

✅ 1. Documentation Checklist (Mandatory)

✅ 2. Declaration Strategy (Key Rules)

🔥 "Woven vs. Knitted: Choose Wisely, Avoid Penalties!"

📌 Crucial Tip:
- The word "Woven" (机织) is non-negotiable for 5111.
- The word "Knitted" (针织) or "Crocheted" (钩编) is required for 6117.
- If the fabric is woven but not flocked, it may still fall under 5111.19, but the texture matters for specific sub-codes.

✅ 3. Special Circumstances

🌍 V. Global Market Comparison (2026 Latest)

📌 Conclusion:
- USA is the most expensive market for wool/woven fabrics from China due to 60% total duty.
- EU, Japan, Australia offer significantly lower entry barriers. Consider supply chain diversification if targeting the US market heavily.

📌 VI. Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Lessons Learned)

❌ Mistake 1: Classifying Woven Flocked Fabric as Knitted Apparel Parts (6117) to save on duty.
👉 Consequence: Customs audit reveals woven structure → 60% duty + 20% penalty.

❌ Mistake 2: Ignoring the "Flocked" characteristic.
👉 Consequence: If not described accurately, Customs may classify under a different 5111 sub-code with different rates, causing delays.

❌ Mistake 3: Assuming "Fine Animal Hair" includes Camel Hair or Angora without verification.
👉 Consequence: If the fiber is not "Fine" (as defined by HS), it may be classified under Coarse Animal Hair (Chapter 51 but different subheading) or even as synthetic, changing the duty structure.

✅ Correct Approach:

"Wool Woven Fabric, Flocked Surface, 100% Wool, for Upholstery Use. HS Code: 5111.19.60.80. Origin: China. Subject to 60% Total Duty."

🎯 VII. Conclusion: Professional Classification, Risk Mitigation, Cost Optimization!

🎯 Remember the Mantra:

🔹 "Woven = 5111 (60% Duty), Knitted = 6117 (19-32% Duty)."
🔹 "Structure Determines Code. Misclassification Costs 40% in Duty."
🔹 "USA Tariffs are Brutal. Plan Ahead."

📌 Pro Tip:
If your product is exporting to the US, consider:
1. Advance Ruling: Apply for a CBP Advance Ruling to lock in the correct HS code and avoid future disputes.
2. Supply Chain Review: Can the fabric be finished in a third country (e.g., Vietnam) to gain a substantial transformation benefit? (Note: This is complex for textiles and requires legal counsel).
3. Cost Absorption: Factor the 60% duty into your FOB pricing immediately.

📣 Immediate Action:

📞 Consult a Licensed Customs Broker
📝 Provide Fiber Analysis & Texture Photos
🚀 Secure Your HS Code Before Shipment!

✨ Precision in Classification Saves You 60%!
💼 Don't Let Tariffs Erode Your Margins!