HTS code for pants and trousers (2026)
Most men's and boys' pants and trousers fall under heading 6203, subheading group 6203.42 (cotton) or 6203.43 (synthetic fibers), depending on the chief weight of the fabric. The most common 10-digit line for everyday men's cotton trousers is 6203.42.45.18, carrying a general (column 1) rate of 16.6%. The single attribute that most often moves a shipment to a different line is the fiber content of the outer shell fabric.
If the fabric is synthetic rather than cotton, the applicable lines shift to the 6203.43 group, where the general rate rises to 27.9%. Wool or fine animal hair trousers carry a compound rate of 41.9 cents per kilogram plus 16.3%.
Candidate HTS lines for pants and trousers
| Code | Line | General rate | Special rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6203.42.45.11 | Blue denim (347) (doz., kg) Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: › Of cotton: › Other: › Other: › Other › Other: › Men's trousers and breeches: Use when: Men's cotton trousers or jeans in blue denim fabric, not recreational performance outerwear. | 16.6% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 6203.42.45.18 | Other (347) (doz., kg) Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: › Of cotton: › Other: › Other: › Other › Other: › Men's trousers and breeches: Use when: Men's cotton trousers and breeches of cotton, other construction, not recreational performance outerwear and not a specialty fabric subdivision. | 16.6% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 6203.42.07.11 | Blue denim (347) (doz., kg) Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: › Of cotton: › Recreational performance outerwear: › Other: › Other › Other: › Men's trousers and breeches: Use when: Men's cotton trousers in blue denim fabric classified as recreational performance outerwear. | 16.6% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 6203.43.90.11 | Other (647) (doz., kg) Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: › Of synthetic fibers: › Other: › Other: › Other: › Other: › Other: › Other › Trousers and breeches: › Men’s: Use when: Men's trousers and breeches of synthetic fibers, other than those designed for use in hospitals, clinics, laboratories or contaminated areas. | 27.9% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 6203.41.60.10 | Men's (447) (doz., kg) Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: › Of wool or fine animal hair: › Other: › Trousers, breeches and shorts: › Other: › Other › Trousers and breeches: Use when: Men's trousers and breeches of wool or fine animal hair. | 41.9¢/kg + 16.3% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 6203.49.50.15 | Men's (647) (doz., kg) Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: › Of other textile materials: › Other: › Of artificial fibers: › Trousers, breeches and shorts: › Other › Other: › Trousers and breeches: Use when: Men's trousers and breeches of artificial fibers. | 27.9% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR, MA,OM, P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 6203.42.45.46 | Other (347) (doz., kg) Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: › Of cotton: › Other: › Other: › Other › Other: › Boys' trousers and breeches: › Other: Use when: Boys' cotton trousers and breeches, other construction, not recreational performance outerwear, other than corduroy or blue denim, and not imported as parts of playsuits. | 16.6% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 6203.42.45.36 | Other (347) (doz., kg) Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: › Of cotton: › Other: › Other: › Other › Other: › Boys' trousers and breeches: › Blue denim: Use when: Boys' cotton trousers and breeches in blue denim fabric, not recreational performance outerwear, other than imported as parts of playsuits. | 16.6% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 6203.43.90.20 | Other (647) (doz., kg) Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: › Of synthetic fibers: › Other: › Other: › Other: › Other: › Other: › Other › Trousers and breeches: › Boys': Use when: Boys' trousers and breeches of synthetic fibers, other than imported as parts of playsuits. | 27.9% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 6203.41.60.20 | Boys' (447) (doz., kg) Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: › Of wool or fine animal hair: › Other: › Trousers, breeches and shorts: › Other: › Other › Trousers and breeches: Use when: Boys' trousers and breeches of wool or fine animal hair. | 41.9¢/kg + 16.3% | Free (AU,BH,CL,CO,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
Chapter 99 duties and claims that attach to these lines today
Section 301 China
- 9903.88.15 Section 301 China, +7.5%, applies to 6203.42.45.11, 6203.42.45.18, 6203.42.07.11, 6203.43.90.11, 6203.41.60.10, 6203.49.50.15, 6203.42.45.46, 6203.42.45.36, 6203.43.90.20, 6203.41.60.20 9903.88.15 Explained: Section 301 China List 4, 7.5% Duty Rate
Each applicable Chapter 99 heading is reported as its own line beside the classification. Its duty is separate from the general rate above; most programs charge it on top, and a heading's own text says how it is assessed.
What decides the line
The first decision is fiber content by chief weight of the outer shell. Cotton sends the product to the 6203.42 lines (general rate 16.6%). Synthetic fibers send it to 6203.43 lines (general rate 27.9%). Wool or fine animal hair sends it to 6203.41 lines (41.9 cents per kilogram plus 16.3%). Artificial fibers other than synthetic send it to 6203.49.50.15 (27.9%).
Within cotton lines, the schedule separates recreational performance outerwear (6203.42.07) from all other cotton trousers (6203.42.45). If the garment meets that recreational performance outerwear standard, you use the 6203.42.07 group; otherwise you use 6203.42.45. The general rate is 16.6% for both groups, but the statistical suffix differs.
The next split is gender and age: men's versus boys'. This determines the statistical suffix within each fiber and construction subgroup. The schedule carries separate 10-digit numbers for men's and boys' in each branch.
Within men's or boys' cotton trousers, the schedule further distinguishes fabric construction at the statistical level: blue denim, corduroy, compact yarns, garments designed for use in hospitals, clinics, laboratories or contaminated areas, and all other constructions each carry their own 10-digit reporting number. Choosing the wrong suffix within the correct 8-digit subheading is a common filing error; the duty rate does not change, but the textile category (for example, category 347 versus 237) may differ.
Common mistakes
- Classifying men's cotton jeans under 6203.42.07.11 (recreational performance outerwear, blue denim) when the garment does not qualify as recreational performance outerwear, the correct line for standard men's blue denim jeans is 6203.42.45.11.
- Applying the cotton rate of 16.6% to trousers whose outer shell fabric is chiefly synthetic, those trousers belong in the 6203.43 group at 27.9%.
- Reporting boys' cotton trousers under the men's statistical suffix (for example 6203.42.45.18) instead of the boys' suffix (for example 6203.42.45.46); the duty is the same, but the statistical suffix and its category are wrong.
- Omitting Chapter 99 provision 9903.88.15 as a separate line on the entry when goods are of Chinese origin, this provision adds 7.5% on top of the general rate and must be reported separately beside the classification line.
- Classifying wool trousers under a cotton or synthetic line because the label reads a blend, the correct line is determined by the fiber that predominates by chief weight, and wool trousers with the wool predominating belong under 6203.41.60.10 at 41.9 cents per kilogram plus 16.3%.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for men's cotton jeans or trousers?
The most common line for men's cotton trousers that are not recreational performance outerwear is 6203.42.45.18 (other men's trousers and breeches of cotton, other). If the fabric is blue denim, the statistical suffix is 6203.42.45.11. Both carry a general (column 1) rate of 16.6%. If the product qualifies as recreational performance outerwear, use the corresponding lines under 6203.42.07 instead.
What HTS code applies to men's polyester or nylon dress pants or track pants?
Trousers and breeches of synthetic fibers for men fall under 6203.43.90.11 (men's, other) at a general rate of 27.9%. A separate suffix, 6203.43.90.09, covers men's trousers of synthetic fibers designed for use in hospitals, clinics, laboratories or contaminated areas. Both share the same general rate.
What is the HTS code for boys' pants?
Boys' cotton trousers that are not recreational performance outerwear and not corduroy or blue denim use 6203.42.45.46 at a general rate of 16.6%. Boys' blue denim cotton trousers (other than playsuits) use 6203.42.45.36 at the same rate. For boys' trousers of synthetic fibers, the applicable line is 6203.43.90.20 at 27.9%.
What does the Chapter 99 provision 9903.88.15 mean on a pants entry?
Chapter 99 provision 9903.88.15 is a Section 301 China tariff. When your trousers or pants originate in China, this heading adds 7.5% on top of the applicable general (column 1) rate. It is reported as a separate line on the entry alongside the classification line. Confirm current applicability in the HTSUS or with a licensed broker before filing.
Are pants from countries like Canada, Korea or Australia subject to the general rate?
The special rate column lists Free for imports from AU, BH, CL, CO, IL, JO, KR, MA, OM, P, PA, PE, S, and SG under the applicable trade programs. Goods qualifying under those programs may enter free of the general rate. Confirm current program eligibility and origin requirements in the current HTSUS or with a licensed broker.
What is the HTS code and rate for wool dress trousers?
Men's wool or fine animal hair trousers and breeches (other) are classified under 6203.41.60.10. Boys' wool trousers fall under 6203.41.60.20. Both carry a general (column 1) rate of 41.9 cents per kilogram plus 16.3%, which is a compound rate applied to the weight of the shipment plus its value. The column 2 rate is 52.9 cents per kilogram plus 58.5%.