🩳 Swimming Pants (Men's Swim Trunks/Shorts)

🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Breakdown | Professional Strategy for US Imports
📌 I. Product Definition: What Are "Swimming Pants"?

In international trade, "swimming pants" typically refer to men's swim shorts/trunks designed for water activities. However, customs classification depends heavily on two factors: 1. Construction Method: Are they Knitted (stretchy, jersey-like, common in board shorts) or Woven (structured, synthetic fabric, common in swim trunks)? 2. Material Composition: Synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon) vs. other textiles (cotton, blends) vs. plastic/synthetic sheeting.

⚠️ Key Classification Point:
- Knitted items usually fall under Chapter 61 (Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories, Knitted or Crocheted).
- Woven items usually fall under Chapter 62 (Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories, Not Knitted or Crocheted).
- Plastic/Sheathing items may fall under Chapter 39 if they are made of plastic sheets/textiles without textile structure.

📦 II. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Official Tariff Schedule)

Based on the provided data, here are the 5 possible HS codes for swimming pants, categorized by material and construction.

| HS Code | Product Description | Material/Type | Key Characteristic | |--------|--------------------------|------------------------| | 6112.31.00.10 | Knitted Swim Shorts | Synthetic Fibers | Stretchy, jersey-like fabric (e.g., board shorts). Highest Tax. | | 6112.39.00.10 | Other Knitted Swim Shorts | Other Textiles (Cotton, Polyester blends) | Knitted but not purely synthetic. | | 6211.11.80.10 | Non-Knitted Swim Shorts | Other Textiles | Woven fabric, generic material. Lowest Base Tax. | | 6211.11.10.10 | Non-Knitted Swim Shorts | Man-Made/Synthetic Fibers | Woven but made of high-tech synthetics. Highest Total Tax. | | 3926.90.99.89 | Plastic/Synthetic Sheet Swimsuits | Plastic/Synthetic Sheets | Made of plastic sheeting or non-textile synthetic material. |

🔍 Critical Distinction:
- If the fabric is knitted (loop structure, stretchy), it must be 6112.
- If the fabric is woven (cross-thread structure), it must be 6211.
- If it is made of plastic film/sheet (like a raincoat material), it may be 3926.

💰 III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Detailed Tax Analysis)

✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN)
✅ Effective Date: Current rates apply (including 122 Clause Tariffs)

🎯 1. 6112.31.00.10 – Knitted Swim Shorts (Synthetic Fibers)

⛔ HIGHEST RISK TARIFF CATEGORY

📌 Explanation:
- This code applies to synthetic fiber knit swimwear (e.g., polyester/nylon blends).
- The 122 Clause adds an additional 10% tariff specifically targeting certain textile/apparel products from China.
- Total Tax: 35.9%. This is the most common code for standard "board shorts."

🎯 2. 6112.39.00.10 – Other Knitted Swim Shorts (Non-Synthetic or Blends)

⚠️ HIGH RISK TARIFF CATEGORY

📌 Explanation:
- Applies to knitted swim shorts made of other textiles (e.g., cotton, viscose, or non-synthetic blends).
- The 7.5% Section 301 tariff applies here, unlike the synthetic knit version.
- Total Tax: 30.7%.

🎯 3. 6211.11.80.10 – Non-Knitted Swim Shorts (Other Textiles)

✅ LOWEST BASE TARIFF (But Still Significant)

📌 Explanation:
- Applies to woven swim shorts made of other textiles (not synthetic fibers like polyester/nylon, or perhaps natural fibers).
- Total Tax: 25.0%. This is the lowest total rate among the options, but only if the material qualifies as "other textiles" and not synthetic.

🎯 4. 6211.11.10.10 – Non-Knitted Swim Shorts (Synthetic Fibers)

⛔ HIGHEST TARIFF CATEGORY (Woven)

📌 Explanation:
- Applies to woven swim shorts made of synthetic/man-made fibers (e.g., polyester woven trunks).
- Despite 0% Section 301, the base tariff is very high (27.8%).
- Total Tax: 37.8%. This is the most expensive code in the dataset.

🎯 5. 3926.90.99.89 – Plastic/Synthetic Sheet Swimwear

⚠️ UNIQUE CATEGORY (Non-Textile)

📌 Explanation:
- Applies to swimwear made of plastic sheets or synthetic sheeting (not woven/knit textiles).
- Total Tax: 22.8%. This is the second lowest rate, but only if the product is truly non-textile.
- Risk: Misclassifying textile swimwear as plastic can lead to severe penalties.

🛠️ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Avoiding Pitfalls)

✅ 1. Documentation Checklist (Must-Haves)

✅ 2. Classification Strategy (Key Mnemonics)

🔥 "Knit = 61, Woven = 62. Synthetic High Tax, Other Low Tax. Plastic = 39."

📌 Important:
- Do not assume "Synthetic" always means lower tax. In woven goods (6211), synthetic has a higher base tariff than other textiles.
- Knitted synthetics (6112.31) have no Section 301 but high base tariff.
- 122 Clause (10%) applies to ALL these codes. Do not forget it.

✅ 3. Special Cases & Pitfalls

🌍 V. Global Market Comparison (2026)

📌 Conclusion:
- USA is the most expensive market for swimwear from China due to 122 Clause (10%) and Section 301.
- Choose 6211.11.80.10 if possible (Woven + Other Textile) for the lowest rate (25.0%).
- Avoid 6211.11.10.10 (Woven + Synthetic) unless necessary, as it is the most expensive (37.8%).

📌 VI. Common Errors & How to Avoid Them

❌ Error 1: Misclassifying Woven Synthetic Shorts as 6112.31.00.10
👉 Result: Wrong code → Underpayment → Penalties & Back Taxes.
✅ Fix: Check fabric weave. If woven, use 6211.

❌ Error 2: Ignoring the 122 Clause (10%)
👉 Result: Underpaying duty → Seizure at Border.
✅ Fix: Always add 10% to the base + Section 301 tariff.

❌ Error 3: Assuming "Swimwear" is a single code
👉 Result: Customs rejection → Delays & Storage Fees.
✅ Fix: Specify Knitted/Woven and Material clearly.

❌ Error 4: Trying to use De Minimis ($800)
👉 Result: Rejected. These codes are excluded.
✅ Fix: Plan for full duty payment (22.8% - 37.8%).

🎯 VII. Conclusion: Smart Classification, Cost Savings!

🎯 Key Takeaway:

🔹 "Knitted Synthetic: 35.9%"
🔹 "Knitted Other: 30.7%"
🔹 "Woven Other: 25.0%" ← Best Rate
🔹 "Woven Synthetic: 37.8%" ← Worst Rate
🔹 "Plastic: 22.8%" ← Lowest if Applicable

📌 Pro Tip:
- If you can, design swim shorts using woven fabrics with non-synthetic blends (e.g., cotton/viscose) to qualify for 6211.11.80.10 (25.0%).
- Always verify fabric composition with your supplier before shipping.
- Do not rely on De Minimis for these products.

📣 Action Plan:
1. Test Fabric: Confirm Knit vs. Woven.
2. Check Material: Synthetic vs. Other Textiles.
3. Select HS Code: Use the table above.
4. Calculate Duty: Base + 10% (122 Clause).
5. Clear Customs: With full documentation.

✨ Professional Customs Clearance Starts with Accurate Classification!
💼 Save up to 12.8% in duty by choosing the right HS Code!