HS Code:
The Boys' (638) category, typically associated with apparel and clothing for boys under a specific age or size range, falls under the Harmonized System (HS) Code related to textile and garment products. This category includes items such as shirts, trousers, jackets, and other clothing articles specifically designed for boys. The global trade of boys' clothing is influenced by factors such as fashion trends, seasonal demand, labor costs, and trade agreements. Major production hubs are often located in developing countries with lower manufacturing costs, while key markets include North America, Europe, and increasingly, Asia.
Total Trade Volume
USD 25.6 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database & World Trade Organization (WTO)
USD 9.8 billion
38.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 3.2 billion
12.5% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 2.5 billion
9.8% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 1.8 billion
7.0% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 1.3 billion
5.1% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
12.5%
Highest Rate
32% (imposed by certain protective markets like Brazil)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU-Vietnam FTA)
Rising demand for sustainable and organic clothing
Increased production costs but higher consumer willingness to pay in developed markets like the EU and US
2021-2022
Growth of e-commerce in apparel sales
Expanded market access for exporters, especially in Asia, with direct-to-consumer models
2020-2022
Shift in production to Southeast Asia
Diversification of supply chains away from China due to rising labor costs and trade tensions
2019-2022
Tariffs on certain apparel categories, including boys' clothing, were reduced as part of the Phase 1 trade deal between the US and China.
January 2020
Increased exports from China to the US, stabilizing trade volumes temporarily
The EVFTA, effective from August 2020, eliminated tariffs on Vietnamese apparel exports to the EU over a phased period.
August 2020
Boosted Vietnam's market share in the EU, challenging competitors like Bangladesh and India
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in textile supply chains, with factory closures and shipping delays impacting boys' clothing exports.
2020-2021
Temporary decline in trade volumes, with recovery seen in 2022 as supply chains adapted