Knitwear HS Codes: How Classification Sets Your Duty

Short answer: knit garments are classified in Chapter 61 (knitted or crocheted apparel), not Chapter 62, and the heading depends on garment type, fibre and — for babies — size. A cotton crewneck sweater usually lands in 6110, a T-shirt in 6109, a polo shirt in 6105, and hosiery, gloves and scarves each have their own headings. The difference is not academic: US duty on cotton knit sweaters is around 16.5% while man-made-fibre sweaters can run to 32%, and the EU applies roughly 12% across Chapter 61. On a 3,000-piece order at $9.50 FOB, a four-point misclassification is about $1,280 — and a customs reclassification can add penalties on top.

Most buyers treat HS codes as paperwork the freight forwarder fills in. That is where the money leaks. The code on your commercial invoice determines your duty bill, your entry into the country, and whether a shipment sits at the port while someone decides if your “knit pullover” is actually a “knit shirt”.

Why Knit Goes to Chapter 61 — Even When It Is Cut and Sewn

The first surprise for a lot of buyers: classification follows the fabric, not the construction method.

The Headings That Actually Show Up on Knit Orders

What Decides the Code in Practice

The Three Mistakes We See Most Often

Where to Get Certainty

If you run a repeat program, stop guessing. Both major markets let you lock the answer down:

A ruling costs a few weeks and nothing in fees. Against a 3,000-piece order where the duty difference runs to four figures, it is the cheapest insurance in the process.

Conclusion

The HS code is a product decision that shows up as a logistics line item. Chapter 61 covers your knitwear; 6110, 6109, 6105 and 6111 cover most of it; and the fibre split decides the rest. Confirm the code before the PO, not at the port.

Key Takeaways for Buyers

What We Do on the Export Side

HONGTEX ships knit programs to the US, EU, UK and Australia, and we prepare commercial invoices with full fibre composition, stitch construction and garment descriptions so your broker has something real to work with. If you are unsure which heading your style belongs in, send us the tech pack — we will tell you what we declare and why, and flag anything your broker should confirm locally.