HS Code:
The Dresses category, classified under HS Code 6204 (Women's or girls' suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, of textile materials), encompasses a wide range of apparel specifically designed for women and girls. This category includes both casual and formal dresses made from various materials such as cotton, silk, wool, and synthetic fibers. Dresses are a significant segment of the global apparel market, driven by fashion trends, seasonal demand, and cultural preferences. The trade of dresses is influenced by factors such as labor costs, raw material availability, and trade agreements between countries.
Total Trade Volume
USD 25.6 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 9.8 billion
38.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 3.5 billion
13.7% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 2.8 billion
10.9% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 1.9 billion
7.4% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 1.2 billion
4.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
12.5%
Highest Rate
35% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Vietnam FTA)
Rise of Sustainable Fashion
Increased demand for eco-friendly and ethically produced dresses, pushing manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices and materials like organic cotton and recycled fabrics.
2021-2023
E-commerce Growth
Significant shift towards online retail channels, with cross-border e-commerce platforms boosting exports from low-cost manufacturing countries to developed markets.
2020-2023
Fast Fashion Dominance
Rapid production cycles and low-cost dresses from countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam continue to dominate, though facing backlash due to environmental and labor concerns.
2019-2023
The EVFTA, fully implemented in 2020, has reduced tariffs on Vietnamese apparel exports to the EU, making Vietnam a key supplier of dresses to European markets, surpassing traditional exporters in some segments.
August 2020 - Ongoing
Increased market share for Vietnam, with trade volume growth of 15% annually in the EU market.
Ongoing trade disputes have led to additional tariffs on Chinese apparel exports to the US, prompting buyers to diversify sourcing to countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam.
2019 - 2023
Shift in trade patterns, with a 5% decline in Chinaโs share of the US dress market since 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in global apparel supply chains, with factory closures and shipping delays affecting dress exports from key countries like Bangladesh and India.
2020 - 2022
Temporary decline in trade volume by 10% in 2020, with recovery seen in 2022 as demand for casual and work-from-home apparel surged.