HS Codes for Workwear, Coveralls and Hi-Vis Vests (+ Duty Rates)
The short answer
Most workwear falls into six HS headings: 6203 and 6204 for men's and women's woven trousers and jackets, 6211 for other woven garments including many coveralls, 6110 for knitted pullovers, 6109 for knitted T-shirts, 6205 and 6206 for shirts, and 6117 or 6210 for hi-vis vests and coated garments. Typical duty is around 12% in the EU and UK, 5% in Australia and the GCC, and 17–18% in Canada, before any country-specific trade measures.
The classification follows the garment's construction, not its purpose. A flame-resistant coverall and a cotton coverall can sit under different codes, and a waterproof jacket moves to a different heading entirely because of its coating.
Last updated: September 2026. Confirm the code and rate with a customs broker before importing.
Key takeaways
- Knitted or woven decides the heading for most garments.
- Coated or impregnated fabric moves the garment out of the normal clothing headings.
- Hi-vis vests are frequently classified as clothing accessories, not as garments, which changes the duty.
- The 6-digit HS code is international; the 8- or 10-digit code is national and it is the national code that sets the rate.
- A binding ruling is free or cheap and removes the risk of retrospective duty assessments.
1. The headings you will actually use
| HS heading | Covers | Typical products | EU duty | US duty (MFN) | UK duty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6109 | Knitted T-shirts, singlets | Work T-shirts, polo shirts (knitted) | 12% | 16.5% | 12% |
| 6110 | Knitted pullovers, sweatshirts | Fleece tops, knitted softshells | 12% | 32% | 12% |
| 6117 | Other clothing accessories, knitted | Many hi-vis mesh vests | 12% | 14.6% | 12% |
| 6203 | Men's woven suits, jackets, trousers | Work trousers, jackets, bib overalls | 12% | 8.3–27.9% | 12% |
| 6204 | Women's woven suits, jackets, trousers | Women's work trousers and jackets | 12% | 8.3–28.6% | 12% |
| 6205 / 6206 | Men's and women's woven shirts | Work shirts, some hi-vis shirts | 12% | 19.7% | 12% |
| 6210 | Garments of coated or impregnated fabric | Waterproof jackets, coated workwear | 12% | 7.1% | 12% |
| 6211 | Other woven garments | Coveralls, overalls, track suits, some hi-vis | 12% | 8.3–16% | 12% |
Important: the rates above exclude anti-dumping duties, Section 301 measures and any temporary tariffs. Those are covered in our separate duty and tariff guides.
2. How to classify a workwear garment in four questions
- Is it knitted or woven? Knitted garments generally fall in Chapter 61, woven in Chapter 62.
- Is the fabric coated, impregnated or laminated? If the coating is visible to the naked eye, the garment usually moves to 6210 (woven) or 6113 (knitted).
- What is the garment type? Trousers, jackets, shirts, coveralls and vests all have their own subheadings.
- Who wears it? Men's and women's garments sit in different headings, which sometimes carry different rates.
Only after those four questions do purpose-specific features — reflective tape, flame resistance, pockets — enter the analysis, and usually only to select the subheading, not the heading.
3. Where hi-vis garments usually land
| Product | Usual heading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh hi-vis vest (knitted) | 6117 | Classified as a clothing accessory rather than a garment |
| Woven hi-vis vest | 6211 or 6217 | Depends on construction and whether it has sleeves |
| Hi-vis T-shirt | 6109 | Knitted T-shirt |
| Hi-vis polo shirt | 6105 or 6109 | Knitted shirt |
| Hi-vis jacket with sleeves | 6201 / 6203 | Becomes a garment, not an accessory |
| Hi-vis waterproof jacket | 6210 | Coated fabric |
This is why two "hi-vis vests" from the same factory can carry different duty rates: the sleeve, the knit and the coating all matter.
4. National codes: where the rate is actually set
| Market | Code length | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | 10-digit TARIC | EU TARIC database |
| United Kingdom | 10-digit commodity code | UK Trade Tariff |
| United States | 10-digit HTSUS | USITC HTS |
| Canada | 8-digit tariff item | Canada Border Services Agency |
| Australia | 8-digit AHECC | Australian Border Force |
| GCC | 8-digit GCC harmonised code | GCC customs union tariff |
Two reminders: the national code determines the rate, and the code can change between otherwise identical products from different suppliers. Always classify your own garment, not the one your supplier's other customer imported.
5. Five classification mistakes that cause duty problems
| Mistake | Consequence | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Using the supplier's code without checking | Underpayment leads to back duty and penalties | Classify independently, or apply for a ruling |
| Treating a coated jacket as a normal jacket | Wrong heading and rate | Check whether the coating is visible |
| Assuming all vests are the same | Duty differences between accessory and garment headings | Classify by knit, sleeves and coating |
| Ignoring gender-specific headings | Different rates for men's and women's garments | Match the pattern and sizing to the heading |
| No documentation of the classification | Difficult to defend in an audit | Record the reasoning in your import file |
6. How to get certainty: binding rulings
| Market | Mechanism | Cost | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | Binding Tariff Information (BTI) | Free | 2–4 months |
| US | CBP ruling request | Free | 30–90 days |
| UK | Advance tariff ruling | Free | 2–4 months |
| Canada | CBSA ruling | Free | 4–8 weeks |
A ruling is worth the wait for any product line you import repeatedly, because it fixes the classification for the whole validity period and removes the risk of a retroactive assessment.
7. Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for coveralls?
Woven coveralls are most commonly classified under heading 6211 (other garments), with the subheading depending on fibre, gender and construction. Confirm the 8- or 10-digit national code before importing, because that is where the duty rate is set.
What is the HS code for a hi-vis vest?
Knitted mesh hi-vis vests are usually classified under 6117 as clothing accessories, and woven versions under 6211 or 6217. The presence of sleeves, the knit and any coating can change the heading entirely.
What is the HS code for work trousers?
Men's woven work trousers fall under 6203 and women's under 6204, with subheadings based on fibre — cotton, synthetic or other. Knitted trousers would instead fall in Chapter 61.
Do hi-vis garments have a different duty rate from normal clothing?
Sometimes. When a hi-vis garment is classified as a clothing accessory rather than a garment, the duty rate can differ. This is why classification, not the reflective tape, decides the duty.
What is the difference between the 6-digit and 10-digit code?
The 6-digit HS code is an international classification that identifies the product category worldwide. The additional digits are national subdivisions, and the national 8- or 10-digit code is the one that carries the duty rate.
Should I use my supplier's HS code?
Use it as a starting point only. You are legally responsible for the declaration, and a supplier's code may have been set for a different construction, fibre or destination. Classify independently and keep the reasoning on file.
Does the HS code affect more than duty?
Yes. It drives duty, import licensing, product safety requirements, labelling rules, and in some markets whether a certificate is required. For PPE, the code and the certification requirements are linked.
How often do HS codes change?
The international HS is updated roughly every five years, and national codes change more frequently. Recheck the code when you change fabric, construction or supplier, and when the destination updates its tariff.
Get the code checked with your quotation
Send us the garment specification and destination market, and we will note the likely classification and the documentation you will need in your quotation, so your clearance starts from an informed position.
