Bulk Textile Products Classification (5 Items)

BULK TARIFF CODE RESEARCH: 15 Textile Products
Destination: United States (HTS)
Origin: Vietnam

⚠️ MANDATORY PROFESSIONAL REVIEW REQUIRED

This is research assistance only—NOT a legal customs classification. A licensed customs broker must review all classifications before importing. Misclassification carries:

• $500-5,000 fines per violation
• Storage fees ($50-200/day for delayed shipments)
• Potential shipment seizure or denial of entry

Share this research with your customs broker to reduce their research time by 50-75%.

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CRITICAL 2025 VIETNAM TARIFF ALERT:

⚠️ ADDITIONAL 20% TARIFF ON VIETNAMESE IMPORTS (effective July 15, 2025)
All duty rates below EXCLUDE the additional 20% reciprocal tariff imposed on most Vietnamese goods. Your actual landed costs will be significantly higher.

⚠️ TRANSSHIPMENT ENFORCEMENT: Products not substantially transformed in Vietnam face 40% tariffs if found to be transshipped from third countries (especially China).

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RESEARCH SUMMARY:
✓ 15 of 15 products: Clear research path identified
⚠ All products subject to additional Vietnam-specific tariffs (see above)

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DETAILED CANDIDATE HS CODES:

1. COTTON T-SHIRTS (ADULT)

   PRIMARY CANDIDATE: HTS 6109.10.00.XX
   Description: “T-shirts, singlets and other vests, knitted or crocheted, of cotton”

   WHY THIS FITS:
   ✓ Material: Cotton (6109.10 designation)
   ✓ Construction: Knitted garments (Chapter 61)
   ✓ Product type: T-shirts, vests

   DECISION FACTORS FOR YOUR BROKER:
   → Gender-specific classification (10th digit varies)
   → Men’s/boys’: typically 6109.10.00.04 or similar
   → Women’s/girls’: different 10-digit code
   → Specific features (pockets, trim, embroidery) may shift classification

   BASE US HTS DUTY RATE: 16.5% + $0.90/kg
   PLUS: +20% Vietnam reciprocal tariff = ~36.5% TOTAL + $0.90/kg

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2. POLYESTER SHORTS (ADULT, WOMEN’S)

   PRIMARY CANDIDATE: HTS 6104.63.20.30
   Description: “Women’s shorts, knitted or crocheted, of synthetic fibers, containing less than 23% wool or fine animal hair”

   WHY THIS FITS:
   ✓ Gender: Women’s/girls’ (6104 designation)
   ✓ Material: Polyester = synthetic fiber
   ✓ Construction: Knitted (Chapter 61)
   ✓ Garment type: Shorts

   DECISION FACTORS FOR YOUR BROKER:
   → Knitted vs woven construction (woven = 6204.63)
   → Exact fiber composition if blended
   → Athletic/performance shorts may have specific subcategories

   BASE US HTS DUTY RATE: 28.2%
   PLUS: +20% Vietnam reciprocal tariff = ~48.2% TOTAL

   TEXTILE CATEGORY: 648

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3. WOOL SCARVES (ADULT)

   PRIMARY CANDIDATE: HTS 6214.20.XX.XX
   Description: “Shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and similar articles of wool or fine animal hair (not knitted or crocheted)”

   WHY THIS FITS:
   ✓ Material: Wool or fine animal hair (6214.20)
   ✓ Product type: Scarves
   ✓ Construction: Not knitted/crocheted (Chapter 62)

   ⚠ CLARIFICATION NEEDED FOR YOUR BROKER:
   → Knitted vs woven construction (knitted = 6117.10)
   → Exact wool content percentage
   → Blended fibers composition

   BASE US HTS DUTY RATE: ~1.0-14% (varies by subclassification)
   PLUS: +20% Vietnam reciprocal tariff

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4. LINEN SHIRTS

   PRIMARY CANDIDATE: HTS 6205.90.40.XX (Men’s/Boys’)
   Description: “Men’s or boys’ shirts of other textile materials (including linen), not knitted or crocheted”

   ALTERNATIVE: HTS 6206.40.XX.XX (Women’s/Girls’)

   WHY THIS FITS:
   ✓ Material: Linen = “other textile materials”
   ✓ Construction: Woven/not knitted (Chapter 62)
   ✓ Product type: Shirts

   ⚠ CLARIFICATION NEEDED FOR YOUR BROKER:
   → Gender specification (men’s = 6205, women’s = 6206)
   → Knitted vs woven construction
   → Linen percentage if blended with other fibers
   → Specific garment construction details

   BASE US HTS DUTY RATE: ~3-19% (varies significantly by specifics)
   PLUS: +20% Vietnam reciprocal tariff

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5. SYNTHETIC JACKETS

   PRIMARY CANDIDATES:

   A) HTS 6201.93.30.00 (Men’s/Boys’ - Water Resistant)
   Description: “Men’s or boys’ anoraks, windbreakers and similar articles of man-made fibers, water resistant”
   BASE DUTY RATE: 7.1%

   B) HTS 6201.93.35.11 (Men’s/Boys’ - Not Water Resistant)
   Description: “Men’s anoraks, windbreakers and similar articles of man-made fibers, not water resistant”
   BASE DUTY RATE: 27.7%

   C) HTS 6202.93.XX.XX (Women’s/Girls’)
   Description: “Women’s or girls’ anoraks and similar articles of man-made fibers”
   BASE DUTY RATE: Similar range (7.1-27.7%)

   ⚠ CRITICAL CLARIFICATION NEEDED FOR YOUR BROKER:
   → Gender specification (men’s = 6201, women’s = 6202)
   → Water resistance testing per HTS Chapter 62, U.S. Note 2
   → Water resistance requires: Under 600mm head pressure, max 1.0g water penetration after 2 minutes (AATCC Test Method 35)
   → Water resistance must result from rubber/plastics application to shell/lining
   → Jacket style (anorak, windbreaker, performance, insulated, etc.)
   → Exact synthetic fiber composition

   BASE US HTS DUTY RATE: 7.1% (water resistant) OR 27.7% (not water resistant)
   PLUS: +20% Vietnam reciprocal tariff = ~27.1% OR ~47.7% TOTAL

   DUTY RATE DIFFERENCE: 20.6 percentage points based on water resistance test

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ESTIMATED TOTAL LANDED COSTS (Preliminary):

Base duties shown above EXCLUDE the following additional costs:

Vietnam-Specific (2025):

• Reciprocal Tariff: Additional 20% on all items (effective July 15, 2025)
• Transshipment Tariff: 40% if product not substantially transformed in Vietnam

Standard Import Fees:

• Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% (minimum $27.75, maximum $538.40 per entry)
• Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% (if arriving by sea)

Example Calculation (Cotton T-shirts):

• FOB Value: $10,000
• Base Duty (16.5%): $1,650
• Compound Duty ($0.90/kg): varies by weight
• Vietnam Reciprocal Tariff (20%): $2,000
• MPF (0.3464%): $34.64
• HMF (0.125%): $12.50
• ESTIMATED TOTAL: ~$3,697+ import fees

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KEY CLASSIFICATION FACTORS REQUIRING BROKER EVALUATION:

For All Products:

1. Gender-specific classifications (men’s vs women’s vs children’s)
2. Knitted vs woven construction (Chapter 61 vs 62)
3. Exact fiber composition and percentages
4. Vietnam origin verification (substantial transformation requirements)
5. Compliance with 2025 HTS 10-digit mandatory classification

Product-Specific:

• Cotton T-shirts: Gender, style features (pockets, trim)
• Polyester Shorts: Knit construction confirmation, athletic vs casual
• Wool Scarves: Knit vs woven, wool percentage, blends
• Linen Shirts: Gender, linen percentage, garment construction
• Synthetic Jackets: Gender, water resistance test results (major duty impact)

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POTENTIAL ISSUES & COMPLIANCE ALERTS:

⚠ 2025 VIETNAM TARIFF FRAMEWORK

• 20% reciprocal tariff on most Vietnamese goods (July 15, 2025)
• 40% tariff on transshipped goods not substantially transformed in Vietnam
• Enhanced CBP enforcement on origin verification
• Increased documentation requirements for Vietnam imports

⚠ TEXTILE CLASSIFICATION COMPLEXITY

• Textiles have among highest duty rates in US tariff schedule
• Gender, construction, and fiber content significantly impact rates
• Misclassification penalties are severe ($500-5,000+ per violation)
• Historical case: $1.2M penalty for 3-year misclassification of athletic wear

⚠ WATER RESISTANCE TESTING (Jackets)

• 20.6 percentage point duty difference based on test results
• Requires laboratory testing per AATCC Method 35
• Must document rubber/plastics treatment of shell/lining
• Broker must verify test results before classification

⚠ GENDER-SPECIFIC CLASSIFICATIONS

• Must specify men’s/boys’ vs women’s/girls’ for accurate classification
• Different HTS chapters/subheadings based on gender
• Duty rates can vary significantly by gender category

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MANDATORY NEXT STEPS:

1. ✅ REQUIRED: Provide Missing Information to Your Customs Broker

   • Gender specification for all products
   • Knitted vs woven construction confirmation
   • Exact fiber composition percentages
   • Water resistance test results for jackets (AATCC Method 35)
   • Wool content percentage for scarves
   • Linen content percentage for shirts

2. ✅ REQUIRED: Consult Licensed Customs Broker Immediately

   • Professional classification is mandatory before importing
   • Share this research to reduce broker research time by 50-75%
   • Broker will finalize 10-digit HTS codes
   • Broker will verify Vietnam origin and substantial transformation
   • Broker will calculate exact duties including Vietnam tariffs

3. ✅ REQUIRED: Verify Vietnam Origin Documentation

   • Ensure products are substantially transformed in Vietnam
   • Avoid 40% transshipment tariff
   • Prepare for enhanced CBP origin verification
   • Document entire supply chain and manufacturing process

4. ✅ REQUIRED: Water Resistance Testing (Synthetic Jackets)

   • Laboratory testing per AATCC Test Method 35
   • Document rubber/plastics treatment
   • Test results determine 7.1% vs 27.7% duty rate
   • 20.6 percentage point difference = significant cost impact

5. ✅ RECOMMENDED: Consider CBP Binding Ruling

   • For high-value or recurring shipments
   • Free service, 30-90 day turnaround
   • Legally binding classification
   • Protection against future audits
   • Apply through CBP CROSS system (rulings.cbp.gov)

6. ✅ REQUIRED: Monitor 2025 Tariff Changes

   • Vietnam reciprocal tariff effective July 15, 2025
   • Verify current rates at time of import (tariffs change frequently)
   • Check USTR announcements for Vietnam trade framework updates
   • Monitor CBP guidance on transshipment enforcement

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BROKER CONSULTATION COSTS (For Context):

This is NOT optional—professional classification is REQUIRED for legal compliance.

• Classification research: $50-150 per product × 15 products = $750-2,250
• Entry filing: $150-300 per shipment
• Total estimated broker fees: $900-2,550

Cost-Benefit: This research reduces broker review time by 8-12 hours, potentially saving 50-75% on research fees. However, broker consultation remains mandatory.

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RESEARCH SOURCES:

• USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (hts.usitc.gov)
• CBP CROSS Rulings Database (rulings.cbp.gov)
• Flexport HS Code Database - Chapter 61
• Flexport HS Code Database - Chapter 62
• USTR Vietnam Trade Framework Agreement

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⚠️ FINAL REMINDER:

This research narrows options from thousands of codes to 2-5 candidates per product. Your customs broker will make the final determination using:

1. Complete product specifications you provide
2. Physical samples or detailed technical data
3. Laboratory test results (water resistance for jackets)
4. Vietnam origin documentation
5. Current 2025 tariff rates including Vietnam-specific duties

DO NOT IMPORT WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL CUSTOMS BROKER REVIEW AND APPROVAL.

Textile misclassification carries severe penalties, and Vietnam imports face enhanced CBP scrutiny in 2025. Professional review is mandatory for legal compliance.

Your estimated total landed costs will be 20-50% higher than historical Vietnam imports due to 2025 tariff changes. Budget accordingly and verify all rates at time of import.