HS Code:
Babies' socks and booties, classified under HS Code 6111.90.50, encompass knitted or crocheted footwear specifically designed for infants. These products are typically made from materials like cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers and are intended for babies not yet walking or in the early stages of walking. This category excludes socks or booties designed for older children or adults and focuses on protective and comfortable wear for infants. The global trade of this product category is driven by demand for baby apparel, influenced by birth rates, disposable income levels, and consumer preferences for quality and safety standards in baby products.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $250 million USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database and International Trade Centre (ITC)
$100 million USD
40% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$40 million USD
16% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$30 million USD
12% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$20 million USD
8% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$15 million USD
6% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
10.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
Up to 30% (applied by certain developing countries with protective policies)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-USMCA or in least developed country preferences)
Rising demand for organic and sustainable materials
Increased production costs but higher consumer willingness to pay for eco-friendly baby products, driving market growth in developed economies.
2021-2022
Growth in e-commerce sales channels
Expanded market access for exporters, especially from Asia, leading to a surge in direct-to-consumer sales of baby apparel.
2020-2022
Shift towards gender-neutral designs
Manufacturers are adapting product lines to meet evolving consumer preferences, influencing export patterns to Western markets.
2022
The European Union introduced stricter regulations on chemical usage in baby clothing, including socks and booties, to ensure product safety.
June 2023
Exporters to the EU market, particularly from Asia, may face higher compliance costs, potentially affecting trade volumes in the short term.
A new phase of trade negotiations between the US and China resulted in reduced tariffs on certain baby apparel categories, including HS 6111.90.50.
March 2023
This is expected to boost Chinese exports to the US, reinforcing China's position as the leading supplier.
Canada extended duty-free access to Bangladeshi textile products under its generalized system of preferences for developing countries.
January 2023
This has led to an increase in Bangladesh's export share for baby socks and booties to the Canadian market.