Chapter 61 covers knitted or crocheted apparel and clothing accessories, including various knitted outerwear, suits, trousers, skirts, etc. Goods in this chapter must be made by knitting or crocheting, which distinguishes them from non-knitted garments of Chapter 62. The chapter is subdivided by gender, style, and material, and is an important chapter for garment classification. Heading 6103 covers men's or boys' suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear), knitted or crocheted. "Suit" means a set consisting of two or more garments sold together as a set, comprising an upper garment and a lower garment, and must meet specific compositional conditions. First 2 digits 61 = Chapter for knitted or crocheted apparel; digits 3-4, 03 = heading for men's suits, ensembles, jackets, trousers, etc.; digits 5-6, 12 = subheading for men's suits of cotton, knitted. The subheading further limits the material to cotton and the garment to a suit, as distinct from an ensemble or other materials. The goods are men's suits of cotton, knitted, simultaneously satisfying three conditions: knitted (Chapter 61), men's suit (6103), and cotton (subheading 12), and are therefore classified under 610312. If woven, they would be classified under 6203; if of man-made fibres, under 610313; if a single jacket, under other subheadings of 6103.
Chapter
Chapter 61 covers knitted or crocheted apparel and clothing accessories, including various knitted outerwear, suits, trousers, skirts, etc. Goods in this chapter must be made by knitting or crocheting, which distinguishes them from non-knitted garments of Chapter 62. The chapter is subdivided by gender, style, and material, and is an important chapter for garment classification.
Heading
Heading 6103 covers men's or boys' suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear), knitted or crocheted. "Suit" means a set consisting of two or more garments sold together as a set, comprising an upper garment and a lower garment, and must meet specific compositional conditions.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 61 = Chapter for knitted or crocheted apparel; digits 3-4, 03 = heading for men's suits, ensembles, jackets, trousers, etc.; digits 5-6, 12 = subheading for men's suits of cotton, knitted. The subheading further limits the material to cotton and the garment to a suit, as distinct from an ensemble or other materials.
Classification Basis
The goods are men's suits of cotton, knitted, simultaneously satisfying three conditions: knitted (Chapter 61), men's suit (6103), and cotton (subheading 12), and are therefore classified under 610312. If woven, they would be classified under 6203; if of man-made fibres, under 610313; if a single jacket, under other subheadings of 6103.
📝 Declaration Elements
Brand type: Fill in the brand of the goods, such as "no brand" or the specific brand name. It must be consistent with the actual goods and commercial documents. Export preference status: Fill in according to the actual trade arrangement, such as "export goods do not enjoy preferential tariff in the final destination country", etc. Weaving method: Must state "knitted" or "crocheted" to distinguish from woven. It may be specified as "knitted". Type: Fill in "men's suit", which must be consistent with the style. A suit must consist of an upper garment and trousers. Material: Fill in "cotton", and the cotton content percentage may be stated. For example, "100% cotton". Brand name: Fill in the specific brand name (e.g., "UNIQLO"); if no brand, fill in "no brand". Article number: Fill in the article number designated by the manufacturer or exporter for easy identification. Suit composition: State the number of pieces included in the suit, such as "two-piece set (jacket + trousers)". Brand type: No brand
Export preference status: Export goods do not enjoy preferential tariff in the final destination country
Weaving method: Knitted
Type: Men's suit
Material: 100% cotton
Brand name: No brand
Article number: M2024-01
Suit composition: Two-piece set (jacket + trousers) Reporting knitted incorrectly as woven, resulting in classification under 6203 instead of 6103. A suit must be packaged as a set; if the jacket and trousers are sold separately, they should be classified separately. For cotton blends, if the cotton content is less than 50%, they may be classified under the subheading for man-made fibres.
Brand type
Fill in the brand of the goods, such as "no brand" or the specific brand name. It must be consistent with the actual goods and commercial documents.
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in "other" or information inconsistent with trademark registration.
Export preference status
Fill in according to the actual trade arrangement, such as "export goods do not enjoy preferential tariff in the final destination country", etc.
⚠️ Incorrectly checking under a preferential trade agreement, causing customs clearance delays.
Weaving method
Must state "knitted" or "crocheted" to distinguish from woven. It may be specified as "knitted".
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in "woven", resulting in misclassification under Chapter 62.
Type
Fill in "men's suit", which must be consistent with the style. A suit must consist of an upper garment and trousers.
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in "ensemble" or "single jacket".
Material
Fill in "cotton", and the cotton content percentage may be stated. For example, "100% cotton".
⚠️ Filling in only "cotton" without stating the content, or failing to indicate the main material when blended.
Brand name
Fill in the specific brand name (e.g., "UNIQLO"); if no brand, fill in "no brand".
⚠️ Confusing it with brand type, or filling in an incorrect spelling.
Article number
Fill in the article number designated by the manufacturer or exporter for easy identification.
⚠️ Leaving it blank or filling in an article number inconsistent with the invoice.
Suit composition
State the number of pieces included in the suit, such as "two-piece set (jacket + trousers)".
⚠️ Failing to state the number of pieces, or actually being a three-piece set but declared as a two-piece set.
Example： Brand type: No brand
Export preference status: Export goods do not enjoy preferential tariff in the final destination country
Weaving method: Knitted
Type: Men's suit
Material: 100% cotton
Brand name: No brand
Article number: M2024-01
Suit composition: Two-piece set (jacket + trousers)
Common Mistakes：
Reporting knitted incorrectly as woven, resulting in classification under 6203 instead of 6103.
A suit must be packaged as a set; if the jacket and trousers are sold separately, they should be classified separately.
For cotton blends, if the cotton content is less than 50%, they may be classified under the subheading for man-made fibres.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) knitted or crocheted construction; 2) men's; 3) suit, i.e., consisting of two or more garments sold together as a set, with the upper garment and lower garment matching in material, style, and size; 4) cotton. Reference must also be made to the chapter notes, subheading notes of the Import and Export Tariff, and the General Rules for the Interpretation of the HS. 610311 Men's suits of wool, knitted: The material is wool or fine animal hair, not cotton. 610313 Men's suits of man-made fibres, knitted: The material is synthetic fibres, such as polyester, nylon, etc. 610322 Men's ensembles of cotton, knitted: An ensemble is a casual everyday style, not a formal suit. 620312 Men's suits of cotton, woven: The weaving method is woven, not knitted. Is it knitted or crocheted? Is it for men? Does it consist of a jacket and trousers as a set? Is it of cotton (cotton content ≥50%)? Is it a suit style rather than an ensemble?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) knitted or crocheted construction; 2) men's; 3) suit, i.e., consisting of two or more garments sold together as a set, with the upper garment and lower garment matching in material, style, and size; 4) cotton. Reference must also be made to the chapter notes, subheading notes of the Import and Export Tariff, and the General Rules for the Interpretation of the HS.
Confused Codes：
610311 - Men's suits of wool, knitted
The material is wool or fine animal hair, not cotton.
610313 - Men's suits of man-made fibres, knitted
The material is synthetic fibres, such as polyester, nylon, etc.
610322 - Men's ensembles of cotton, knitted
An ensemble is a casual everyday style, not a formal suit.
620312 - Men's suits of cotton, woven
The weaving method is woven, not knitted.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it knitted or crocheted?
✓ Is it for men?
✓ Does it consist of a jacket and trousers as a set?
✓ Is it of cotton (cotton content ≥50%)?
✓ Is it a suit style rather than an ensemble?
❓ FAQ
How can one determine whether a knitted men's suit is classified under 6103 or 6203? The key is the weaving method: if knitted or crocheted, it is classified under 6103; if woven, under 6203. This can be confirmed by observing the fabric texture or checking the production process sheet. How can a cotton knitted men's suit be distinguished from a cotton knitted men's ensemble? A suit is usually a formal style, with a jacket having lapels and buttons, and trousers having a waistband and fly; an ensemble is a casual style, such as a tracksuit. In the tariff, "suit" has a specific definition and must be sold as a set with matching styles. If the jacket and trousers in a set are of different materials, how should it be classified? If the jacket and trousers are of different materials but sold as a set, they should be classified according to the predominant material. If the predominant material cannot be determined, they should be classified separately. It is advisable to consult customs or obtain an advance classification ruling. How should a cotton-blended knitted men's suit with 40% cotton content be classified? When the cotton content is less than 50%, it is generally classified as of man-made fibres, i.e., 610313. However, attention should be paid to the chapter note's definition of "cotton", which may require a cotton content of ≥50%. The tariff notes shall prevail. How should the "suit composition" element be filled in at declaration? The number of pieces included in the suit and the specific categories should be stated, such as "two-piece set (jacket + trousers)". If it is a three-piece set (jacket + trousers + waistcoat), it must also be declared truthfully. Can a knitted men's suit be classified under other subheadings of 6103? If it does not meet the definition of a suit (e.g., a single jacket), it is classified as a jacket under the corresponding subheading of 6103. Only sets that meet the definition of a suit are classified under 610312. How can one check the import tariff rate for 610312? You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use a tariff query tool, enter HS code 610312, and check the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, and consumption tax. Tariff rates may change, and the latest announcement shall prevail. For cross-border e-commerce retail export of knitted men's suits, is declaration under 610312 also required? Yes, cross-border e-commerce exports also need to be declared under the HS code. However, simplified declaration for cross-border e-commerce retail export may apply, subject to customs regulations.
Q: How can one determine whether a knitted men's suit is classified under 6103 or 6203?
A: The key is the weaving method: if knitted or crocheted, it is classified under 6103; if woven, under 6203. This can be confirmed by observing the fabric texture or checking the production process sheet.
Q: How can a cotton knitted men's suit be distinguished from a cotton knitted men's ensemble?
A: A suit is usually a formal style, with a jacket having lapels and buttons, and trousers having a waistband and fly; an ensemble is a casual style, such as a tracksuit. In the tariff, "suit" has a specific definition and must be sold as a set with matching styles.
Q: If the jacket and trousers in a set are of different materials, how should it be classified?
A: If the jacket and trousers are of different materials but sold as a set, they should be classified according to the predominant material. If the predominant material cannot be determined, they should be classified separately. It is advisable to consult customs or obtain an advance classification ruling.
Q: How should a cotton-blended knitted men's suit with 40% cotton content be classified?
A: When the cotton content is less than 50%, it is generally classified as of man-made fibres, i.e., 610313. However, attention should be paid to the chapter note's definition of "cotton", which may require a cotton content of ≥50%. The tariff notes shall prevail.
Q: How should the "suit composition" element be filled in at declaration?
A: The number of pieces included in the suit and the specific categories should be stated, such as "two-piece set (jacket + trousers)". If it is a three-piece set (jacket + trousers + waistcoat), it must also be declared truthfully.
Q: Can a knitted men's suit be classified under other subheadings of 6103?
A: If it does not meet the definition of a suit (e.g., a single jacket), it is classified as a jacket under the corresponding subheading of 6103. Only sets that meet the definition of a suit are classified under 610312.
Q: How can one check the import tariff rate for 610312?
A: You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use a tariff query tool, enter HS code 610312, and check the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, and consumption tax. Tariff rates may change, and the latest announcement shall prevail.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce retail export of knitted men's suits, is declaration under 610312 also required?
A: Yes, cross-border e-commerce exports also need to be declared under the HS code. However, simplified declaration for cross-border e-commerce retail export may apply, subject to customs regulations.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.