HS Code:
The 'Blouses, shirts, and tops' category (HS Code 6206 for women's or girls' blouses, shirts, and shirt-blouses, and related codes under 6106 for knitted or crocheted variants) includes a wide range of apparel items primarily designed for the upper body. These products are typically made from woven or knitted fabrics such as cotton, polyester, silk, or blends, and cater to both casual and formal wear markets. This category is a significant segment of the global apparel industry, driven by fashion trends, seasonal demand, and fast fashion cycles. Trade in this category is influenced by factors such as labor costs, raw material availability, and trade agreements.
Total Trade Volume
USD 30.5 billion
Data from 2022
Source
UN Comtrade Database and World Trade Organization (WTO) Statistics
USD 10.2 billion
33.4% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 4.8 billion
15.7% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 3.5 billion
11.5% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 2.1 billion
6.9% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 1.8 billion
5.9% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
12.5%
Highest Rate
35% (imposed by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Vietnam FTA or USMCA)
Rise of Sustainable Fashion
Increased demand for eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester in blouses and tops, pushing manufacturers to adopt greener practices. This has led to a 15% growth in sustainable apparel exports from countries like Bangladesh.
2021-2023
Growth of E-commerce
Online retail platforms have boosted global trade in this category by 20% since 2020, with fast fashion brands dominating cross-border sales, especially in North America and Europe.
2020-2023
Shift to Casual Wear
Post-pandemic consumer preferences have shifted toward casual and versatile tops, increasing demand for knitted shirts and reducing formal blouse exports by 10% in key markets.
2021-2023
Since the EVFTA came into effect in August 2020, tariffs on Vietnamese apparel, including blouses and tops, have been progressively reduced to 0% by 2023, boosting Vietnam's exports to the EU by 18% in 2022.
August 2020 - Ongoing
Vietnam has gained a competitive edge over China and Bangladesh in the EU market, reshaping trade patterns.
The US imposed additional tariffs of 7.5% on Chinese apparel under Section 301 in 2019, which continued into 2023, prompting a shift in sourcing to countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh.
2019 - Ongoing
China's share in US imports of blouses and tops dropped by 5%, while Vietnam's share increased by 8%.
Bangladesh is set to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026, which may result in the loss of duty-free access to key markets like the EU under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme.
Projected 2026
Potential increase in tariffs could reduce Bangladesh's competitiveness, prompting the country to negotiate new trade agreements.