Chapter Overview
Chapter 62 of the HTS covers woven (non-knit) apparel: suits, jackets, trousers, dresses, skirts, shirts, blouses, and outerwear made from woven fabric. This is the partner chapter to Chapter 61, which covers knitted or crocheted garments. Together, these two chapters represent one of the largest import categories in U.S. trade by both value and entry volume.
Apparel classification under Chapter 62 is notoriously complex. The correct HTS code depends on the garment type, the fiber content of the fabric (cotton, man-made fibers, wool, silk), the gender the garment is designed for (men's/boys' vs. women's/girls'), and specific construction details. A small change in fiber composition — from 49% polyester to 51% polyester — can shift the duty rate by several percentage points.
Duty rates in Chapter 62 are among the highest in the entire HTS, regularly exceeding 15% and reaching as high as 27.9% for some man-made fiber garments. This makes accurate classification and origin management critical for any apparel brand or retailer. For more on apparel import strategies, see our e-commerce and DTC industry page and our guide to import duties on clothing.
Common HTS Codes in Chapter 62
| HTS Code | Description | Representative Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 6201.13 | Men's overcoats, raincoats of man-made fibers | 7.1% |
| 6203.42 | Men's trousers of cotton | 16.6% |
| 6203.43 | Men's trousers of synthetic fibers | 27.9% |
| 6204.62 | Women's trousers of cotton | 16.6% |
| 6204.63 | Women's trousers of synthetic fibers | 27.9% |
| 6205.20 | Men's shirts of cotton | 19.7% |
| 6206.40 | Women's blouses and shirts of man-made fibers | 26.9% |
| 6204.44 | Women's dresses of artificial fibers | 16% |
| 6211.33 | Men's garments NESOI of man-made fibers | 16% |
| 6211.43 | Women's garments NESOI of man-made fibers | 16% |
Note: Fiber content is the single most important classification variable in Chapter 62. Cotton garments, man-made fiber garments, and wool garments each have distinct duty rates, and the rates for man-made fibers are consistently the highest. Always obtain a certified fiber analysis before classifying apparel.
Duty Rates & Additional Tariffs
Chapter 62 duty rates are among the highest in the HTS. The rate structure reflects decades of trade policy designed to protect domestic textile manufacturing. Rates vary dramatically by fiber content:
- Cotton garments: Generally 9.3% to 19.7% depending on garment type
- Man-made fiber garments: Generally 14.9% to 27.9% — the highest rates in the chapter
- Wool garments: Generally 7% to 22%, with some specific rates expressed as cents per kilogram plus a percentage
- Silk garments: Generally lower, around 2.5% to 6.9%
Section 301 tariffs: Apparel from China faces Section 301 tariffs on top of the already-high MFN rates. A synthetic-fiber garment from China can face a combined rate approaching 35%. This has been a major driver of supply chain migration away from China for apparel brands.
Trade preference programs: USMCA, DR-CAFTA, and various bilateral FTAs can significantly reduce or eliminate apparel duties. The savings are so large that trade agreement qualification is often the most important financial decision an apparel importer makes.
PGA & Compliance Requirements
Textile Labeling (FTC)
All imported apparel must comply with FTC textile labeling rules under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act. Required label information includes the generic fiber names and percentages by weight, the country of origin, and the manufacturer or importer identity (RN or WPL number). Labels must be permanently affixed to the garment. Non-compliant labeling can result in goods being held at the port or subject to FTC enforcement action.
Country-of-Origin Marking
CBP requires apparel to bear a permanent country-of-origin label. For garments, this typically means a woven or printed label sewn into the garment. The origin marking must survive normal use and care. CBP textile enforcement teams inspect origin labels closely, and discrepancies between the declared origin and the garment's construction sequence can trigger examination and penalties.
Quota and Visa Requirements
While most formal textile quotas were eliminated after the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, certain tariff-rate quotas and surveillance programs remain. Some countries have specific textile visa requirements. Importers should verify whether their source country and product category are subject to any remaining quota or monitoring programs.
Country of Origin Considerations
Origin is one of the highest-value variables in apparel importing because duty rates are so high. A garment that qualifies for duty-free treatment under a trade agreement avoids rates that can exceed 25%.
USMCA yarn-forward rule: To qualify for duty-free treatment under USMCA, most apparel must satisfy the "yarn-forward" rule of origin — meaning the yarn must be spun in a USMCA country, the fabric must be woven in a USMCA country, and the garment must be cut and sewn in a USMCA country. This is one of the most stringent origin requirements in any trade agreement. See our USMCA rules of origin guide for details.
DR-CAFTA and other FTAs: The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement and bilateral FTAs with countries like Peru, Colombia, and Jordan offer preferential apparel duty treatment with varying rules of origin. Many of these agreements also use a yarn-forward or fabric-forward standard.
China and Section 301: Apparel from China faces both high MFN rates and Section 301 additional tariffs. The combined rate can make China-origin garments significantly more expensive than the same product from Vietnam, Bangladesh, or a trade agreement partner country. Origin analysis for garments that use Chinese fabric but are assembled elsewhere requires careful attention to the substantial transformation rules.
Common Classification Mistakes
Incorrect Fiber Content Classification
Fiber content drives the duty rate, and errors here are the most expensive mistake in Chapter 62. A garment labeled "60% cotton, 40% polyester" classifies as cotton apparel. A garment that is actually "49% cotton, 51% polyester" classifies as man-made fiber apparel — potentially doubling the duty rate. Importers must verify fiber content through certified lab testing, not rely solely on supplier declarations.
Woven vs. Knit Confusion
Chapter 62 covers woven apparel. Chapter 61 covers knitted or crocheted apparel. The duty rates differ between the two chapters for the same garment type. A woven cotton shirt may face a different rate than a knit cotton shirt. Importers who do not correctly identify the fabric construction method risk filing under the wrong chapter entirely.
Gender Misclassification
Chapter 62 distinguishes between men's/boys' and women's/girls' garments, and the duty rates can differ. "Unisex" garments must still be classified under one gender provision based on their construction, styling, and marketing. Importers who default to one gender classification for their entire line without analyzing each style risk systematic misclassification.