Section XI of the HTSUS

Thank you for joining us for our series on classification. Last Monday, we explored the articles contained in Section X of the HTSUS. Today, we will study the various commodities covered in Section XI of the HTSUS. Having a good general knowledge of the products covered in each section and chapter will expedite the classification process and improve accuracy of your classifications.

Answer to Section X Question
4819.20.0040
NY F83287

Section XI covers Chapters 50 through 63 consisting of textiles in raw form to manufactured articles. The classification of textiles can be quite difficult. Importers working in the textile field and brokers processing entries for importers specializing in textiles should spend extra time working in this part. The Section Notes are very important as they provide a long list of what is not included in this section. The Statistical Notes provide definitions of "subject to cotton, wool and man-made fiber restraints." CBP also publishes several specialized Informed Compliance Publications related to textiles.

Chapter 50 covers silk such as raw silk, silk yarns and fabrics woven of silk. Products of this chapter and most of the other chapters in this section must comply with the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (TFPIA) regulations.


Chapter 51 covers uncombed wool, wool or animal hair yarns and woven fabrics of wool or animal hair. Animal hair includes the hair of alpaca, llama, camel, yak, goat, rabbit, beaver, muskrat and horse. The Chapter Notes define "wool, fine animal hair and coarse animal hair."

Chapter 52 covers the importation of unprocessed cotton, cotton waste, cotton sewing thread and cotton fabrics. The Chapter Notes provide a definition of denim and the procedure for calculating "average yarn number." The Statistical Notes define the various types of cotton fabrics such as poplin, broadcloth, print cloth, oxford cloth and duck. Finishing operations include bleaching, shrinking, filling, napping, permanent stiffening, weighting, permanent embossing or moireing.

Chapter 53 pertains to raw flax, hemp, jute, sisal, coconut, ramie and other vegetable textile fiber yarns and fabrics. The Chapter Notes provide definitions of various types of fabrics and the formula for calculating "average yarn number."

Chapter 54 pertains to synthetic sewing threads such as nylon or polyester, synthetic and artificial filament yarns and woven fabrics. The Chapter Notes provide a detailed explanation about man-made fibers and the difference between artificial and synthetic fibers.

Chapter 55 covers synthetic and artificial staple fibers, whether or not processed, sewing thread, yarn and woven fabric. The Statistical Notes provide definitions of various types of fabric.

Chapter 56 covers felt, non-woven fabrics, textile covered rubber, twine, ropes, cables and netting. Wadding materials used for sanitary purposes, such as diapers, are subject to FDA regulation.

Chapter 57 covers hand-woven and machine-woven textile floor coverings. The textile materials must be exposed on the surface when the item is in use.

Chapter 58 covers terry cloth, net fabric, lace, needlework, tapestries, labels, tassels and other ornamental trimmings.

Chapter 59 covers impregnated, coated or laminated fabrics such as linoleum, wall coverings, transmission belts and other industrial type products. The Chapter Notes provide exclusions to various headings. The same labeling requirements found in the previous textile chapters also apply to articles in this chapter.

Chapter 60 covers knitted or crocheted fabrics. Care must be taken to distinguish knitted fabrics from woven fabrics. The same labeling requirements found in the previous textile chapters also apply to articles in this chapter.

Chapter 61 covers knitted articles of apparel. Care must be taken to distinguish knitted apparel from woven apparel. Pay close attention to the definition of "babies" clothing in Note 6. Chapters 61 and 62 contain articles that may be suits or ensembles; therefore, the notes provide information to help distinguish the difference between suits and ensembles.

Chapter 62 covers the importation of woven garments for adults and children such as coats, shirts, sweaters, hosiery, mittens and other articles of clothing. Chapter Note 4(a) provides a definition of babies clothing.

Chapter 63 consists of miscellaneous textile articles such as blankets, bed, table, bath and kitchen linen, curtains, blinds, tents, lifejackets and worn articles of clothing. The Chapter Notes provide the requirements for goods to be classified as "worn clothing and textiles."

Classify a pair of infant’s 100% cotton woven ski mittens that will be worn by a child whose body height is 68 cms.

Join us next week for the answer to this week’s classification question and a discussion of Section XII of the HTSUS. If there are any specific commodities or sections of the HTSUS that you would like to see discussed in this series, please feel free to post a comment or send your suggestions to wizard@boskage.com