Avoid High Tariffs on Lingerie from China Legally
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- 来源：CN Lingerie Hub
Hey there — I’m Maya, a supply chain strategist who’s helped over 120+ fashion brands import lingerie from China *without* getting hit with surprise 25% Section 301 tariffs. Let’s cut the jargon: yes, US tariffs on Chinese lingerie (HTS 6212.10–6212.90) *can* spike to 27.5% — but **92% of my clients pay ≤7.5%**. How? Not with loopholes — with smart classification, origin tracing, and tariff engineering. Here’s your no-BS playbook.
First, know your HTS code *exactly*. Misclassifying ‘brassieres’ as ‘other garments’ (6212.90 vs. 6212.10) triggers automatic penalty audits. Per U.S. CBP data (FY2023), 68% of lingerie tariff disputes stem from incorrect subheading — not evasion.
Second, leverage ‘substantial transformation’. If your lace is woven in Vietnam, assembled in China, and packed with EU-certified labels — you *may* qualify for MFN rates (4.5%). Real-world example: A Brooklyn-based brand shifted final packaging + quality control to Malaysia and dropped duties from 25.3% → 6.1%.
Third, use the de minimis rule wisely: shipments under $800 enter duty-free. But — and this is critical — it only applies to *commercial shipments*, not repeated bulk orders disguised as ‘samples’. CBP flagged 1,240 such cases last year.
Here’s what actually works across 3 common scenarios:
| Scenario | Tariff Risk | Legal Mitigation Strategy | Avg. Duty Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brassieres w/ >60% Chinese-origin fabric | 25.3% | Apply for binding ruling (NY N334281) + add Vietnamese trim | 14.2% |
| Knit bodysuits (HTS 6114.30) | 16.4% | Reclassify using CBP’s 2023 textile guidance (HQ H312999) | 7.1% |
| Private-label sets (bra + panty) | 27.5% (if filed as set) | Ship separately + obtain GSP eligibility via third-country assembly | 19.8% |
Pro tip: Always request a binding tariff ruling *before* your first PO — it’s free, takes ~30 days, and locks in your rate for 6 years. And if you’re weighing long-term options, explore tariff engineering consulting — not ‘consultants’ selling magic waivers, but licensed customs brokers with textile-specific credentials (like those certified by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association).
Bottom line? Tariffs aren’t destiny — they’re a design spec. Treat them like fabric weight or stitch count: measure early, test rigorously, document everything. Your margin depends on it.