First assemble the actual product information for each garment you plan to import. Give the complete information, destination and import date to the person responsible for declarations or a qualified customs professional to check the applicable tariff schedule and classification basis. Check product description, composition, construction, intended use and evidence versions. Do not decide the declaration from a name such as “sweater” or “knit top”, or a code on a supplier's invoice alone. Classification, origin, preferential treatment and actual import charges are related but need separate checks; when materials or styles change, first assess whether the earlier conclusion still applies.
This guide helps buyers prepare information for discussion. It does not assign a customs code or rate to a particular product or replace the importing authority's decision. Style-colour-size identifiers, retail barcodes and customs classification serve different purposes. The retail barcode and hangtag guide addresses variant identification and print checks; this article focuses on describing the actual goods and retaining the basis for classification. See the transit and sales market guide for the difference between destination, transit and sales markets.
Distinguish product identifiers from customs classification
An internal SKU distinguishes a brand's own styles, colours and sizes; a retail barcode supports the agreed product-identification process. A customs goods code describes goods under applicable classification rules. An SKU is not an automatically valid customs code. Conversely, several internal SKUs may need their construction and composition checked individually before anyone can decide whether their classifications are the same. Do not assume codes must be the same or different simply because colours or sizes differ.
The World Customs Organization's Harmonized System FAQ explains that HS subheadings use six-digit codes and that final classification for import or export in a country is under its national tariff schedule. The US International Trade Administration's HS guide explains that countries may add further digits beyond six; its US example also distinguishes import tariff codes from export statistical codes. A complete code from another country or trade direction therefore cannot simply be copied without checking. Confirm destination, import or export, applicable date and version, then have the responsible person verify it.
| Item to check | Information the buyer prepares | What cannot be inferred directly |
|---|---|---|
| Actual goods | Style number, photos, sample, use and complete construction | A commercial name is enough to classify the goods |
| Composition and manufacture | Fibres and percentages of relevant parts, knit structure and construction information | A yarn trade name is the accurate composition of the whole garment |
| Destination and timing | Importing country or territory, import date, specific tariff and version | A full code used in another market necessarily applies |
| Declaration basis | Responsible person, written opinion or applicable ruling, and the facts it cites | A supplier's code has been approved by the importing customs authority |
| Origin and charges | Processing route, origin evidence, applicable policies and date checked | A code automatically grants preference or determines total charges |
This is a buyer's communication checklist. Applicable tariffs and product facts determine the relevant classification factors; the entries are not sufficient to determine a code for every product.
Connect the description to the actual garment
For each proposed style retain front and back photos, technical drawings, the approved sample revision and commercial name. Record whether it is a pullover, cardigan, skirt or other garment, together with actual features such as neckline, sleeves, fastening, pockets, hem and lining. Identify knitted parts and parts made from other materials; provide information on decoration, appliqué, zippers or lining where present. Do not automatically combine similar-sounding styles, especially when fastening or construction differs. The classification reviewer must decide which attributes matter under destination rules.
Obtain supplier-confirmed fibre types, percentages by weight and their scope: a yarn, a component or the whole garment. List different components or blends separately. Mark missing information as pending; do not guess composition from hand feel, trade marks or yarn names. A US Customs ruling on specific women's knit garments describes fibre percentages, garment types and manufacture for different articles. It shows that detailed product facts were useful in that case; it does not establish one subheading for every similarly named product, and its codes should not be copied to other goods.
Submit each style instead of copying the last invoice
Imagine a brand buys two knit tops in the same colour: one is a pullover and the other has a full front opening with a zipper; their fibre blends also differ. Each needs a verifiable product description, actual composition and sample revision. The supplier may suggest the same or different codes, but the buyer should submit both sets of information for separate review by the responsible person in the importing market. These differences alone do not establish that the garments must have the same or different codes. This is a hypothetical example, not a WTBF order or customs ruling.
If sizes of one style use the same yarn, components and construction, link the shared information and list each style-colour-size and any exceptions; ask the classification reviewer to confirm the scope. If one colour uses a different composition, lining or decoration, flag it and determine whether separate review is needed. Describe a set's top and bottom, any separate selling arrangements and actual packaging accurately. A marketing description of “set” does not allow the buyer to decide classification independently. Say whether the goods under discussion are a single garment or a combination and have the professional check the applicable rules.
Check origin, preference and charges separately
Record the actual locations and processing stages for yarn and garments and the evidence available. Do not treat fibre source, garment production location, transit location and customs origin as interchangeable. Check the destination's origin rules and conditions for preferential treatment separately; a supplier's material claim or shipping route alone does not establish eligibility. The fibre source and origin claims guide helps distinguish the objects of this evidence.
Classification is one input to import-cost calculations; it does not determine all charges on its own. Ask the person responsible in the importing market to check the applicable tariff at declaration, origin, possible additional duties or fees, valuation and other conditions, noting the date checked and open items. Do not treat a supplier's ex-factory quotation as the total delivered-to-warehouse cost. The landed cost and cash-flow guide helps separate cost items and payment timing. Label estimates with assumptions; they do not replace an actual declaration or tax determination.
Keep the conclusion and changes together
For each item to be imported, record the style-colour-size and sample revision; photos, component and fibre information; destination, trade direction and planned import date; tariff and version consulted; the responsible person's written opinion or applicable ruling and its factual scope; separate checks of origin and preference; check date, open questions and approver. A conclusion covering only one style or construction should not be extended to others. Whether an official ruling applies to this order must be checked against the issuing authority's rules and the actual facts.
When fibre percentage, construction, fastening, set composition, processing route or destination changes, identify the affected style-colour-size combinations and have the responsible person review them before updating declaration information. If invoice, packing list, specification and declaration records conflict, pause use of disputed information and check with the parties; do not rewrite a code without approval. Retain old versions and correction records so supplier, freight and import teams use the same confirmed information.
Use the WTBF inquiry page to provide the style or tech pack, actual composition and construction requirements, quantities by style, colour and size, import destination, target arrival date and product information the supplier needs to confirm. Attach sample photos, labels and open questions if available. Ask what specifications and documents the supplier can provide, then have the buyer or designated import professional decide declaration matters. Browse knit pullovers for style references. An inquiry guarantees no customs code, preferential treatment or charge outcome.