Knitted or Crocheted Fabric

👕🧶 Knitted or Crocheted Fabric Apparel & Hosiery

🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Entry Strategy for US Imports
📌 I. Product Definition & Classification: What is "Knitted or Crocheted"?

"Knitted or Crocheted Fabric" in international trade refers primarily to garments and hosiery manufactured using knitting machines (circular or flat) or crochet techniques. This category excludes woven fabrics (Chapter 60 vs. Chapter 50/51/52) and is further divided based on end-use:

1. Garments (Chapter 61 - Parts 10 & 11):
   • T-shirts/Tops (Headings 6109): Casual tops, including T-shirts, tank tops, and sweatshirts.
   • Swimwear (Heading 6112): Specialized swimwear, often made of synthetic fibers for durability and elasticity.
   • Sleepwear/Bathwear (Heading 6111): Nightdresses, bathrobes, and similar garments (often cotton or synthetic blends).
2. Hosiery (Chapter 61 - Heading 15):
   • Socks/Hosiery (Headings 6115/6117): Knee-high socks, ankle socks, stockings, and other leg coverings.

⚠️ Key Distinction Point:
- If the item is a top/garment (worn on the upper body) → Look at 6109 or 6112/6111.
- If the item is a sock/hosiery (worn on feet/legs) → Look at 6115.
- Material Matters: Cotton vs. Synthetic blends significantly impact the Base Tariff Rate.

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

Based on the provided <DATA>, here are the specific HS Codes matched to the product description "Knitted or Crocheted Fabric" items. Note that the <DATA> implies these are imports into the United States from China, subject to specific trade sanctions (Section 301/122).

🔍 Critical Note:
- All items in <DATA> are subject to Section 122 Tariffs (likely referring to recent U.S. trade policy updates or specific executive orders impacting Chinese textiles).
- "No Conflict" in the summary implies the item fits the standard legal definition for that HS Code without needing special exemptions or facing immediate rejection due to material mismatch.

💰 III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including Section 122 & 301)

✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Country of Origin: China (CN) (Inferred from the "122 Clause" and "Additional Tariffs" structure typical of US-China trade disputes)
✅ Effective Date: Current 2026 Tariff Regime

🎯 1. 6109.10.00.70 & 6109.10.00.27 — Knitted T-Shirts & Tops

📌 Interpretation:
- Even if the item is a simple T-shirt, the 34% effective duty is very high.
- The 122 Clause is the differentiator here. If your product falls under this specific clause, the 10% is mandatory and non-negotiable without a valid exemption.

🎯 2. 6112.11.00.10 — Knitted Swimwear

📌 Interpretation:
- Slightly cheaper than T-shirts (32.4% vs 34.0%) due to the lower base rate, but still heavily taxed.

🎯 3. 6111.20.60.50 — Knitted Cotton Socks/Hosiery

📌 Interpretation:
- Socks are generally less taxed than tops, but the 10% flat 122 tariff makes the effective percentage lower than tops. Still, 25.6% is significant.

🎯 4. 6115.95.90.00 — Other Knitted Hosiery (Synthetic/Cotton Blend)

🛠️ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Avoiding Pitfalls)

✅ 1. Documentation Checklist (Mandatory)

✅ 2. Critical Clearance Tips

🔥 “Don’t Underestimate Section 122!”
Many importers forget that Section 122 tariffs are not covered by the $800 de minimis exemption. If you are shipping via e-commerce platforms (Amazon, Temu, Shein) or direct mail, expect the 34% (or 32.4%/25.6%) to be collected at the border.

✅ 3. Special Scenario Handling

🌍 V. Global Market Comparison (2026)

📌 Conclusion:
The US market is significantly more expensive for Chinese knitted/crocheted goods due to the additive nature of Base + 301 + 122 tariffs. Competitors from Vietnam or Bangladesh may have a 20-30% cost advantage in the US market for these same products.

📌 VI. Common Errors & Pitfalls (Blood & Tears Lessons)

❌ Error 1: Assuming "De Minimis" ($800) exempts you from Section 122.
👉 Result: Goods seized, duties collected + penalties. False.

❌ Error 2: Misdeclaring Material (e.g., calling Polyester "Cotton").
👉 Result: HS Code misclassification. If 6109.10 (Cotton) is wrongly used for Polyester, you might face anti-dumping duties or higher base rates.

❌ Error 3: Ignoring the "122 Clause" in the tax summary.
👉 Result: Under-budgeting. You think you owe 24%, but you actually owe 34%. Cash flow crisis.

❌ Error 4: Mixing Origin in one Bill of Lading.
👉 Result: CBP may audit the entire shipment if one item is non-compliant, delaying everything.

✅ Correct Action:

"Verify Material, Confirm Origin, Calculate Landed Cost with 34%, and Never Rely on De Minimis for Chinese Textiles!"

🎯 VII. Conclusion: Professional Clearance, Cost Control

🎯 Remember the Formula:

Total Duty = Base Tariff (14.9-16.5%) + Section 301 (7.5%) + Section 122 (10%) = 32.4% - 34.0%

🎯 Strategic Recommendation:
1. For US Market: If your margin is <15%, do not import these items from China without a massive price adjustment.
2. Pre-Arrival Ruling: Strongly recommended to get a CBP Binding Ruling on whether your specific garment qualifies for any 122 exemptions.
3. Supply Chain Diversification: Consider sourcing hosiery or swimwear from Vietnam, Indonesia, or Bangladesh to avoid the 7.5% + 10% surcharges.

📌 Pro Tip:

If you are an e-commerce seller, update your pricing algorithms to include a 34% duty factor for all Chinese-origin knitted/crocheted apparel. Failure to do so will result in unexpected charges to customers or losses for your business.

📣 Immediate Action:

📞 Contact a Licensed Customs Broker to verify the "Section 122" applicability to your specific SKU.
📊 Recalculate Landed Costs immediately using the 34.0% rate for tops and 25.6-31.0% for socks.
🚀 Optimize Your Supply Chain before the next shipping cycle.

✨ Precision in Classification, Profitability in Action!
💼 Your Duty is to Be Accurate. Your Profit is to Be Competitive.