Men's or Boys' Swimsuits

🏊‍♂️ Men's or Boys' Swimsuits: HS Code Breakdown & U.S. Customs Clearance Guide (2026)

🌐 HS Code Reference & Clearance Strategy | Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Compliance Guide
📌 I. Product Definition & Classification: Are You Importing the Right Swimsuit?

Swimsuits are specialized apparel designed for water activities. In international trade, they are strictly classified based on knitting method (Knitted vs. Non-knitted/Woven) and material composition (Synthetic Fibers, Artificial Fibers, Cotton/Other Textiles).

Key Distinctions for Classification:
Knitted (Chapter 61): Stretchy, jersey-like fabrics (e.g., lycra blends, tricot). Most common for performance swimsuits.
Non-Knitted/Woven (Chapter 62): Woven fabrics (e.g., nylon taffeta, polyester woven). Often used for board shorts or swim trunks.
Material Matters:* "Synthetic" usually refers to polyester/nylon; "Artificial" refers to rayon/viscose. Misclassifying material leads to significant tariff penalties.

⚠️ Critical Differentiator:
- If the suit is knitted (stretched fabric) → Chapter 61
- If the suit is woven (stitched fabric) → Chapter 62
- If it is a boy's specific style (e.g., swim trunks) → Look for specific sub-headings like 6112.39 or 6112.31.

📦 II. HS Code Breakdown & Tariff Analysis (U.S. Imports from China)

Based on the provided data, here is the detailed breakdown of HS Codes, product descriptions, and total tax rates (including Base Tariff + Section 301/122 Clause Surcharges).

🔍 Key Observation:
- Section 301 / 122 Clause Surcharges apply heavily to synthetic/knitted items.
- 6112.31.00.20 (Boys' Synthetic) has the highest rate (43.4%) due to base 25.9% + 7.5% additional + 10% Clause 122.
- 6211.12.10.10 (Woven Artificial) has the lowest rate (21.8%), making it a strategic choice if material allows.

💰 III. Detailed Tariff Structure Explanation

✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN)
✅ Regulatory Framework: USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule + Section 301/122 Enforcement

🎯 1. Synthetic Fiber Knitted Swimsuits (e.g., 6112.31.00.10)

• Total Tax: 35.9%
• Breakdown:
  • Base Tariff: 25.9%
  • Additional Tariff (Section 301/122): 0.0%
  • Clause 122 Surcharge: 10%
• Calculation: CIF Value × 35.9%
• Note: Despite having a higher base tariff than some woven items, the total is lower than other synthetic knitted variants due to the 0% additional tariff component in this specific subheading.

🎯 2. Artificial Fiber Non-Knitted Swimsuits (e.g., 6211.11.10.10)

• Total Tax: 37.8%
• Breakdown:
  • Base Tariff: 27.8%
  • Additional Tariff: 0.0%
  • Clause 122 Surcharge: 10%
• Calculation: CIF Value × 37.8%
• Note: This is for woven swimsuits made of artificial fibers (like rayon/viscose blends). Higher base tariff but no extra surcharge beyond Clause 122.

🎯 3. Boys' Sport Swim Trunks (Synthetic, Knitted) - 6112.31.00.20

• Total Tax: 43.4% (Highest in the dataset)
• Breakdown:
  • Base Tariff: 25.9%
  • Additional Tariff: 7.5%
  • Clause 122 Surcharge: 10%
• Calculation: CIF Value × 43.4%
• Warning: This is the most expensive category. If you are importing boys' swim trunks, ensure they are correctly classified. If possible, check if they qualify as general "swimsuits" (Chapter 62) instead of specific "trunks" to avoid the 7.5% additional tariff.

🎯 4. General Swimsuits (Synthetic, Knitted) - 6112.41.00.10

• Total Tax: 42.4%
• Breakdown:
  • Base Tariff: 24.9%
  • Additional Tariff: 7.5%
  • Clause 122 Surcharge: 10%
• Calculation: CIF Value × 42.4%
• Note: Similar to the boys' trunks, this incurs the 7.5% additional tariff. Compare with 6112.41.00.30 (34.9%) which has 0% additional tariff.

🛠️ IV. Clearance Practical Advice (Avoiding Pitfalls)

✅ 1. Documentation Checklist (Mandatory)

✅ 2. Classification Strategy (Optimize Costs)

🔥 "Know Your Knit, Save Your Pennies!"

✅ 3. Common Errors to Avoid

❌ Error 1: Mislabeling "Woven" as "Knitted"
👉 Consequence: Wrong HS Code → Penalties + Back Taxes.
✅ Fix: Verify fabric stretch. Knitted fabrics stretch significantly; woven fabrics do not.

❌ Error 2: Ignoring "Clause 122"
👉 Consequence: Underpayment of duties.
✅ Fix: All listed HS Codes include a 10% Clause 122 surcharge. Ensure your tariff calculator includes this.

❌ Error 3: Overlooking "Boys" vs. "Men" Specific Subheadings
👉 Consequence: Some boys' items have higher additional tariffs (e.g., 7.5%).
✅ Fix: Check if the item can be classified under general "Swimsuits" (6112.41) rather than specific "Boys' Trunks" (6112.31) if design allows.

🌍 V. Market Comparison & Strategic Insights

📌 Conclusion:
- U.S. imports from China are significantly more expensive due to Section 301/122 tariffs.
- Cotton/Other Textiles (6112.39.00.10) offer the lowest tariff (30.7%) in the U.S.
- Woven Artificial Fibers (6211.12.10.10) are also cost-effective (21.8%) if the product design allows.

📌 VI. Actionable Checklist for Importers

1. Verify Material Composition:
2. Synthetic (Polyester/Nylon) → Higher tariffs (35.9%-43.4%)
3. Artificial (Rayon/Viscose) → Moderate tariffs (21.8%-37.8%)

4. Cotton/Other → Lowest tariffs (30.7%)

5. Determine Knitting Method:

6. Knitted → Chapter 61

7. Woven → Chapter 62

8. Select Optimal HS Code:

9. Prefer 6112.41.00.30 (34.9%) over 6112.31.00.20 (43.4%) if product design permits.

10. Consider 6211.12.10.10 (21.8%) for woven artificial fiber suits.

11. Prepare for Clause 122:

12. All rates include a 10% surcharge. Do not omit this from cost calculations.

13. Labeling Compliance:

14. Ensure "Made in China" is clearly visible.

🎯 VII. Final Thoughts: Maximize Profit, Minimize Duty

🎯 Golden Rules for Swimsuit Importers:

🔹 "Cotton Wins on Tariffs" – If possible, use cotton blends to fall under 6112.39.00.10 (30.7%).
🔹 "Woven Can Be Cheaper" – 6211.12.10.10 (21.8%) is the lowest rate in the dataset.
🔹 "Avoid Boys' Trunks if Synthetic" – 6112.31.00.20 (43.4%) is the most expensive.
🔹 "Clause 122 is Non-Negotiable" – The 10% surcharge applies to all listed codes.

📌 Pro Tip:
If you are importing large volumes, consider Advance Rulings from U.S. CBP to confirm HS Code classification and avoid post-entry audits. Also, explore FTZ (Foreign Trade Zone) options to defer duty payments.

📣 Next Steps:

📞 Consult a licensed customs broker.
📄 Submit fabric swatches for classification verification.
💰 Recalculate landed costs using the lowest eligible HS Code.

✨ Smart Classification Saves Thousands!
💼 Don't Let Tariffs Sink Your Profits!